Australasian Mining Review

Australasian Mining Review Spring 2011

Australasian Mining Review

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296 Powering up the mining boom Maximising electrical safety and corrosion resistance When it comes to extracting the minerals that are essential to the expanding industries around the world, any delay is extremely costly. F or this reason, mining companies insist on products that deliver the highest levels of quality, dependability and performance. More and more of Australia’s mining powerhouses are choosing Branach for their climbing and ‘working at heights’ equipment needs such as electrical and mechanical setups, power line installations, scheduled maintenance and emergency repairs. Branach ladders and step platforms have proved themselves in the harshest and most extreme mining environments that can be found in Australia, from offshore oil and gas drilling platforms to underground coal mining to the unique corrosive conditions found at Olympic Dam, the world’s largest copper and uranium mine. Successfully battling deserts, salt, acids and chemicals is all part of a day’s work for Branach ladders and platforms. These are unique Australian products, designed here and manufactured here to cope with the conditions found here. Through the use of fi breglass and aluminium, Branach products are electrically safe, lightweight and easy to handle, yet enjoy a rigidity that is second to none. For those truly diffi cult environments where corrosion and mine safety are critical factors, Branach has developed specialist products that use 316 stainless steel instead of aluminium. This results in a range of anti-corrosion products in great demand for use on oil rigs, in salty coast environments such as the Victorian desalination plant and underground mines. Branach extension ladders and step platforms are all designed with working effi ciency in mind. By replacing larger, more mechanical devices in many situations, Branach provides a better solution that is both quicker and more cost effective. For example, elevated work platforms such as boom and scissor lifts are large, heavy and diffi cult to manoeuver when access space is limited. In addition, experience shows that they can be hard to stabilise on uneven or rocky bases such as gravel or scoria. These are common surfaces found in many mines and make access diffi cult for wheeled equipment. Many elevated work platforms need to be booked in for a particular task which causes lost productivity and unnecessary downtime while workers wait for up to two days. Another alternative is the use of scaffolding. Although a well setup scaffold made of fi berglass is stable and [Ladders] _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ effective, the man-hours in assembly and the capital cost of purchase are signifi cant project expenses. Many operators have noticed that workers are reluctant to spend the time erecting scaffolding for smaller jobs. When compared to the larger and more complex options, Branach’s easy-to-use products exhibit many workplace advantages besides being cost effective and non-conductive. The constant theme found in all Branach products is maximum safety for workers operating at heights. Of particular interest to companies such as BHP Coal is Branach’s clever ‘Fall Restraint Hook’, an attachment that keeps the worker safe even if they fall from a ladder. It is the best kind of insurance to have should the worst happen. Branach is working hard to ensure Australian miners have the best products for the extreme and demanding environments they face under the ground and over the sea.

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