Key Benefits
- Safe and efficient skip loading
- Everything included for a comprehensive skip loading system
- Robust measurement for ease and peace of mind
- Completely customised to your mine layout
- Easy access for maintenance
Measuring and loading systems
Getting your ore and waste out of the ground can be a logistical challenge. You’re operating in confined spaces, at great depths. The loads need to be transported quickly, with precision. Our skip loading systems are tailor-made for your site, highly efficient and designed with safety in mind.
What we offer
Safe, fast and accurate skip loading – simple, yet effective
The concept is simple. Send a skip down the shaft, load it up, and send it back to the surface. But when we’re talking about mines, it takes a lot of expertise to make ‘simple’ work.
Working with very restricted space in a dangerous environment, you need to design for minimal human intervention, safe and easy maintenance access, and coordination with the rest of your equipment.
That’s why when we design skip loading systems, we work on a case-by-case basis. Every single installation is customised according to the specific layout and restrictions of our customers. And we supply the complete system, including the hydraulics, conveyor, loading pocket system – everything you need to get the material from mine to shaft. So we know the end result will be both efficient and robust.
How does the skip loading system work?
The empty skip is hoisted down the shaft, arriving and stopping at the loading pocket. At the bottom, the correct mass of material is discharged from its corresponding flask to fill the skip. This is a two-skip system, so while an empty skip is travelling down the shaft, the full skip is being hoisted back up. Flasks are alternately charged and discharged automatically with every skip cycle.
For example, in a typical two-compartment loading station where each compartment is fed by a conveyor, a diverter gate or transfer car is usually used to fill the adjacent units. Material is discharged from the flask into the skip by use of a hydraulically (or pneumatically) controlled arc gate with cylinder, and the flask chute directs the flow into the open throat of the skip. Each flask is suited for the required skip handling capacity, including freeboard allowance and heavy wear liners to minimise maintenance downtime. Access points are incorporated to facilitate liner replacements, as well as optionally hinged chutes. Skip chairing is also available where excessive rope stretch may be a concern.
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Conveyor system package
We can supply a comprehensive package for your loading pocket system, complete with ancillaries, including but not limited to load pocket chutes, vibratory feeders, belt conveyors, maintenance platforms and crane rails, conveyor chute, diverter gate or transfer car, bifurcated chute, loading flask(s), and gates.
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Entry chute
The entry chute assembly contains and directs material flow from the end of the conveyor into the flask arrangement.
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Diverter chute with gate
The diverter chute and gate assembly uses hydraulic cylinders to alternately control flow into one flask or the other.
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Flasks
Each measuring flask is supported vertically on multiple load cells. Load cell measurement is kept away from areas where debris may heavily accumulate with time. We can typically supply additional platforms for maintenance access. Flasks may be split and bolted and/or field-welded for underground transport where required due to restricted access dimensions.
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Arc gate
Arc gates may be mounted either on the front face or the rear of the flask and gate, designed and configured accordingly for maintenance access.
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Discharge chute
Discharge chutes are configured to provide optimal discharge flow into the skips and hinged capability for ease in liner replacement when necessary.
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Retractable Skip Chairs
Skip Chairing Mechanisms can be supplied in various configurations to eliminate excessive rope stretch when loading at depth. We offer multiple designs, depending on the configuration of the shaft.
Key benefits
Let us take the load off
- Safe and efficient skip loading
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Your safety is our priority. Our systems are automated for minimal human intervention, and built with easy maintenance access in mind. We’ve designed the skip loading system to remove material efficiently and quickly.
To optimise the system performance, we offer discrete element modelling (DEM) and analysis to be used in the design for the quickest possible discharge. Here, we use our expertise to determine flow characterisation and optimal geometry for best material flow dynamics applied to the ore handling system design. Through special software and an intimate knowledge of the system characteristics, we can help eliminate some of the guess work in underground material handling for your specific application.
Every loading system is custom designed and configured to suit each situation. We take into consideration things like restricted installation access and limited dimensional cross-sections to transport sections underground.
- Comprehensive supply
- We can supply a comprehensive package for your loading pocket system, complete with ancillaries, including but not limited to load pocket chutes, vibratory feeders, belt conveyors, maintenance platforms and crane rails, conveyor chute, diverter gate or transfer car, bifurcated chute, loading flask(s), and gates. Hydraulic power units, cylinders and controls for local manual/remote automatic operation can also be supplied. For extensive head rope stretch, retractable and non-retractable skip chairing systems are also available. We also offer spill pocket equipment design and fabrication for capturing and handling any material that may fall through the cracks during loading.
- Robust measuring system
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At the heart of our Skip Loading Systems are robust, proven load-sensing devices situated between the measuring flasks and their supporting structures. These control the feeders or conveyors and the gates or transfer hoppers on dual skip compartments. The flasks can also be equipped with optional volumetric measurement as a secondary check to ensure skips do not become overfilled.
- Custom design for every installation requirement
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Every loading system is custom designed and configured to suit each situation. We take into consideration things like restricted installation access and limited dimensional cross-sections to transport sections underground.
- Easy maintenance access
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Access to all maintenance areas is provided through customised platforms, ladders/stairs, and hinged or removable hatches. Considerations are given towards liner replacement and overhead lifting provisions can also be included.
Product features
Skip loading systems, designed with you in mind
All loading pocket systems are custom-designed with your requirements in mind, focusing on safety, functionality, maintainability and ease of installation.
Chutes
The entry chute assembly contains and directs material flow from the end of the conveyor into the flask arrangement. Hinged hatches can be provided for viewing and access to ensure the chute is continuously maintained in sound condition.
The diverter chute and gate assembly uses hydraulic cylinders to alternately control flow into one flask or the other.
Discharge chutes are configured to provide optimal discharge flow into the skips and hinged capability for ease in liner replacement when necessary.
Flask and arc gate
The measuring flask is supported vertically on multiple load cells. Load cell measurement is kept away from areas where debris may heavily accumulate with time. We can typically supply additional platforms for maintenance access.
Arc gates may be actuated and controlled from either the front face or the rear of the flask and gate, designed and configured accordingly for maintenance access. Flasks may be split and bolted and/or field-welded for underground transport where required due to restricted access dimensions.
Abrasion-resistant liners tailored to your application requirements are installed throughout the interior of the flask for long wear life.
Chairing systems
Skip Chairing Mechanisms can be supplied in various configurations to eliminate excessive rope stretch when loading at depth. We offer multiple designs, depending on the configuration of the shaft.
Our traditional skip loading chairs extend into the shaft compartment below the load pocket to allow the skip bucket to be supported while loading. This mechanism is typically fitted with heavy-duty chairing buffers.
Another more compact option is our Chairing Pawl system, which pneumatically activates a resting pawl that engages with a receiver mounted to the skip body. This system accommodates shafts with smaller excavation areas and limits the protrusion into the shaft compartment.
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