Positive-grip, pressed-section planks and walkways have been installed for the Chamber of Mines rescue drilling unit based at Colliery Training College (CTC) at eMalahleni in Mpumalanga.
The walkway’s non-slip features, combined with its high strength-to-weight ratio, make it particularly suitable for the vehicle-mounted drilling unit, to facilitate easy movement of personnel, explains supplier Mentis Africa.
The rescue drill is on 24-hour standby to be deployed, with the assistance of CTC staff, in the case of mine accidents. It can drill a 150 mm diameter hole into the underground area where an accident has occurred. This allows the area to be assessed by camera and for food and water to be supplied. It is also capable of drilling a large-diameter hole of 635 mm in diameter, down which a capsule is lowered to bring trapped mineworkers to surface.
The planks and walkways were supplied from the company’s Die-Line range, which include planks with 2 mm thickness and walkways sections with a 2.5 mm thickness that can be provided in either 500 mm or 750 mm widths at a standard length of 2.4 m.
Mentis Africa asserts that its Die-Line product range is simple to install, requiring no specialised tools and minimal welding or clipping to supports, with all necessary bolts, nuts, washers, fishplates, jointing channels, saddle clamps, splice plates and mesh clips provided.
The positive serration ensures good traction even in muddy and wet conditions, enhancing the safety and efficiency of people working on the drill during a mine rescue mission, and the lightweight walkways add little extra weight to the vehicle, explains the company.
The mild steel walkways can be bitumen-dipped or galvanised, if subject to a corrosive environment such as harsh chemicals or saltwater.
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