The Doppelmayr Group received a contract for the construction of an Ore Transport System at the premises of a major mining company in the Americas. This system will include the first Vertical RopeCon®, as well as the first Tunnel RopeCon®. It will transport ore from the underground mine across a tunnel and along a vertical shaft to the existing stockyard conveyor on the surface. The ore and mine type have not been disclosed.
Doppelmayr says the system is its answer to customers’ needs for efficient and reliable underground transport solutions. The Vertical RopeCon, first of its kind in the world, will play a pivotal role in the transport chain, transporting the ore up an existing shaft, achieving a lift of more than 400 m.
The Ore Transport System moves 700 t of ore per hour, reducing the underground truck fleet along with the associated heat development and exhaust emissions. The drive of the Vertical RopeCon is located on the surface, which, in addition, leads to less space requirements underground. A more than 1.25 km long horizontal Tunnel RopeCon, also the first of its kind in the world, conveys the material from the underground mine towards the loading point of the Vertical RopeCon.
The horizontal system is suspended from the tunnel ceiling to save precious space in the tunnel. Together with the Vertical RopeCon and two additional conveyors it will allow the automated material transport from the mine to the stockyard in a clean and efficient way, increasing safety while reducing operational expenses.
Commissioning of the Ore Transport System is scheduled for Q3 2027. Doppelmayr: “This innovative concept addresses the mining companies’ needs for efficient and reliable underground transport solutions. Based on the proven RopeCon system Doppelmayr developed a solution which achieves
impressive transport capacities and vertical lifts.”
