Mining

South Africa has for hundreds of years been one of the most productive mining
countries in the world. Although recent decades have seen the country fall in
the global rankings as far as total mining output is concerned it is still
regarded as a force to be reckoned with as far as the output of minerals such
as gold, platinum and diamonds are concerned. Mining operations take
place all across the country and the products that are mined are not all
destined for export. One of the most important minerals that are mined in South
Africa is coal. 

South Africa’s energy needs are primarily met through the supply coal to coal fired power stations across the country. Without this coal South Africa’s economy would collapse. Coal mining also provides the raw material for Sasol’s world renowned coal to oil programme, without which South Africa’s petrol and diesel prices would be substantially higher.

Like any industrial process mining requires complex machinery that must operate
under extremely trying conditions. In the mining sector the machinery for both
mining the ore and transporting it is subject to operational requirements that
are not reflected in any other sector of the economy. In many instances these
machines operate in dirty, confined spaces and contribute to an environment
that is extremely dangerous.

One of the contributing factors to this environment is the contamination of fuel and
the deterioration caused by the build up of foreign matter, such as dust in the
working parts and on the surfaces of equipment. For this reason mine operators
make use of some of the most advanced cleaning equipment found in any
industrial operation. High pressure cleaning equipment, such as that
manufactured by Kärcher forms the backbone of these cleaning solutions.

The process of extracting minerals and ore from the ground is a messy business that requires industrial cleaning equipment to remove and clear away dirt and grime. Mining also produces its share of waste as a by-product of the process that can be hazardous and must be safely removed.

Using detergents and other cleaning products may cause a chemical reaction with these by-products that could result in the release of gases and other safety problems occurring.

It is therefore important to use cleaning equipment and machinery that takes the hard work out of the cleaning process as well as takes into consideration the implications of safety requirements in the mining industry.

Any vacuum cleaners must employ the best filtration mechanisms to ensure that no debris or harmful dust is released into the air during the cleaning process. The vacuums must also be hardy enough to withstand wear and tear that may occur due to the movement of particles within the vacuum cleaner, which are abraisive to the working parts. The exterior of the machine must be tough enough to withstand the rigours of operating in a mining environment. Ensure that you choose a vacuum cleaner that takes all these factors into consideration.

Another machine that is extremely effective at cleaning in the mining industry is an industrial high pressure cleaner. The high pressure cleaner can blast away dirt, grease and grime quickly and effectively. The high pressure allows the machine to take care of any dirt that would be difficult to remove using conventional cleaning methods. High pressure cleaners are available in mobile or stationary units.

For more information regarding the cleaning equipment that can safely be used in the mining industry, contact us.