Australasian Mining Review
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/37922
140 Protecting dragline cables safely as well as workers The problem with too many dragline cables and connections is they can be damaged and develop wear and tear due to everyday use by being moved to different positions throughout everyday shifts, and this in turn can potentially have serious outcomes including endangering peoples lives and safety whilst moving and repairing these damaged cables and electrical plugs. A produce more of the dragline plug boats with over 100 ARG Plug Boats being supplied to numerous mine sites around Bowen Basin so far. Both Gorlick and his partner in the business, his wife Robyn, have been determined to ensure the ARG Plug boat remains an Australian product as well as locally manufactured to create jobs, which so far has certainly been achieved. “We believe the devices will fi nd a ready market among mines further afi eld throughout Australia, and this is why we have decided to participate in the Surat Basin Mining expo in Toowoomba to enable us to devote more time to promoting them throughout the mining industry in Queensland, WA and NSW. We will have representatives from our manufacturers at the expo as well to answer any queries.” idan Gorlick from ARG Industries saw the need to come up with a solution for the problem and from this need, the ARG Plug Boats were developed and designed to solve this problem. Being a dragline operator, Gorlick also designed his ARG Plug Boat to fl oat in order to keep the connections – which carry very high voltage of electricity – out of the water as well as protecting it from other elements as well such as rocks whilst being dragged along on the ground. The steel device which weighs around 245kg also secures the connections to prevent plugs coming apart when cables are pulled, which also helps reduce damage.The ARG Plug Boats assist in moving the connections, which can weigh about 150kg and also leave enough room for electricians to attend to any repairs or maintenance. “There are similar products around, but the ones I’ve seen don’t fl oat and aren’t as user-friendly as our Plug Boats. Once the plug is placed onto the boat in the clamps, it’s as simple as doing up four bolts to secure cable and plug onto the ARG Plug Boat and then workers don’t have to touch the plug at all to move them around the mine site and hence this eliminates the danger of electrocution as well as the risk of back or even personal injury because there is no manual lifting or handling required,” Gorlick said. The ARG Plug Boats are currently being used at a number of Bowen Basin mines around the Dysart area, and many other mines are seeking to fi t out their mine site with the ARG Plug Boat, and since there has been so much interes from other operations, Arg Industries have enlisted the help of Bundaberg Sandblasting to [Dragline Plug Boats] _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ From all this, the Gorlick’s are looking at making inroads into the New South Wales and West Australian mining sectors as well. People seeking further information can contact ARG Industries at: Phone:- 0400 779 236 or 0439782818 Email:- argindustries@bigpond.com Web:- www.argindustries.com.au or “See us at Tent No:os9 at Surat Basin Mining Expo in Toowoomba and arrange a trial of this product for your mine site.”