compliance, and the design registration process, are key factors
to be successful. Further, there is a trend towards proven safety
technologies and SIL capability systems.”
In addition to the demand for higher capacities mentioned
above, the industry is embracing new social responsibility
policies with much more emphasis workplace safety and
working conditions. Technology can play a big part in
supporting the drive to separate the person from the danger. In
the hoist application environment, the traditional guards and
isolations are no longer adequate and innovations such as
mechanical rope handling equipment and higher levels of safety
integrity in the equipment design are required.
“Around the world, the mining community is embracing the
safety standards IEC 61508 and 61511, commonly known as SIL
(Safety Integrity Level),” explained Ian Bailey, Managing
Director at Siemag Tecberg. “Conformity to standards provides a
strict framework for the design process and ongoing verification
of the system safety integrity.”
Since 2010, Siemag Tecberg is going through SIL evaluations
in particular with disc brake systems with SIL2 and SIL3
verifications in place for systems with fully-closed loop safety
brake retardation functions. Today various solutions best suitable
to match the risk profile of production and service installations,
as well as high men riding requirements are available.
“The SIL capability applies to safety critical functions rather
than products, Siemag Tecberg has invested in evaluating and
certification of the performance for hoisting plant,” said
Richard Price, Business Development Director, Winder Controls
Europe Ltd. “This includes ensuring that automation and
hydraulic designs have been independently reviewed and
certified to meet SIL 2 or SIL 3, depending on the risk analysis for
the function in question. A typical systemwould include safety
circuits, sensors, dual channel hoist monitor (s-EHMU), motor
isolation, closed loop brake control, hydraulics and callipers, all
certified individually and in combination.”
“Today customers are looking to the hoisting OEM to take
system responsibility,” addedArmin Heller, Executive Vice
President-Automation and Drive Technology for Siemag Tecberg.
“To ensure that Siemag Tecberg can deliver a product to the high
standards expected, we have invested in becoming an
automation and drive system integrator for the total solution.
Kure mine in Turkey is one such example where we supplied the
electrical, automation, safety and shaft signalling systems, in
addition to our mechanical and hydraulic solution. The product
manufacturers provide us with the technology that they are
known for and we use our expertise in hoisting to deliver the
total solution on a one-stop-shop basis.”
“The integration of Siemag Tecberg’s high‑quality equipment
with premium after sales services is the guarantee for reliable
and efficient operation of future underground coal mines,”
concluded Detlef Scheppe, Executive Vice President-Hoisting
Technology for Siemag Tecberg Germany.
The mining industry of the future is driving its operations to
become more socially responsible, in addition to the ongoing
need for improved efficiencies and productivities. The mine will
become a safer place. In turn, the equipment, such as the hoisting
plant, will demonstrate compliance to the various safety
directives, while increasing in capability and sophistication.
AUSTRALIA │ CHINA │
GERMANY
│POLAND│SOUTH AFRICA│UK │ USA
2015
