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A bulletproof breaker

March 13, 2024

Backed by accessible servicing, Epiroc’s HB 2500 hydraulic breaker is as solid as a rock.


World-class original equipment manufacturer Epiroc is helping the mining industry dismantle its toughest problems with the HB 2500 hydraulic breaker for excavators.


The HB 2500 is expertly engineered for primary blast-free rock excavation and secondary rock breaking in surface and underground mines, as well as primary demolition of massive reinforced concrete structures.


Heavy hydraulic breakers are durable, efficient and highly adaptable products, making them extremely versatile for a range of tasks.


Breakers and Attachments Equipment Group, an Epiroc partner and the OEM’s largest Australian distributor, has sold more HB 2500s to the mining industry than it can keep track of.


“We get a lot of great feedback from our HB 2500 customers in regards to the productivity and the power that the breaker puts out,” BA EG national sales manager Nathan Parziani told Australian Mining.


“When it comes to a hydraulic breaker, it can only put out what it puts in, and Epiroc is industry leading in regards to end kilowatt input. The result is a hammer that’s durable, efficient and powerful.


“The HB 2500 is bulletproof.”


Intelligent design features help to set the HB 2500 apart from competitors. Epiroc’s patented Intelligent Protection System automatically adjusts the start-up and shutdown behaviour of the breaker during operation, making for easy positioning and maximum blank firing protection.


The HB 2500 also utilises the piston recoil energy to reduce vibration levels and improve performance. When combined with VibroSilenced Plus, which insulates the percussion mechanism and breaker box, these features significantly reduce noise levels and wear and tear from vibrations on the HB 2500.


The automatic lubrication system ContiLube II optimises the lubrication procedure, which significantly reduces maintenance.


And the optional active two-stage sealing system DustProtector II extends the service life of components and lowers grease consumption.


“The HB 2500 has a whole host of features, from the oval retainers to the encased tie rods to the fact that it has Helicoils instead of tie rod nuts,” Parziani said.


“Hydraulic breakers from other OEMs have exposed tie rods and tie rod nuts that create an extra point of leverage at the front head, weakening the hammer.


“Routine maintenance and failure are both a lot higher on those kinds of hydraulic breakers, because the power cell is under a lot more stress. The HB 2500 doesn’t have that problem.” 


This was the experience of Local Mix quarry manager Steve Richardson, who was impressed with how well the HB 2500 was performing at his operation in Anakie, Victoria.


“We have two of the HB 2500, one of which we use for mobile crushing, mostly breaking up paddock rock on farmland,” Richardson said. “The other we have running at our quarry, breaking down oversize rocks and concrete too large for our pulveriser to handle.”


Richardson said Local Mix first made the switch to the HB 2500 after facing challenges with other OEM hammers.


“The hydraulic breaker we were previously using failed unexpectedly, and when we purchased a second, they didn’t have availability of spare parts,” Richardson said.


“So we turned to Epiroc’s HB 2500 – and soon purchased a second – and haven’t had any of those issues since.”


Richardson said maintenance on the HB 2500 has been a cinch, with BA EG technicians helping out with routine maintenance.


“We have had one overhaul on the hammer and it went really well. BA EG had all the parts available,” he said.


Parziani said the key to BA EG’s quick and reliable service is complete support from Epiroc.


“Epiroc has a strong presence in Australia,” he said. “What distinguishes us as a distributor is that the onus is often on our competitors to hold and support their stock, whereas we’ve actually got help here on the ground from Epiroc.


“What that translates to for our customers is great spare-part availability, dedicated service trucks, and experienced technicians.


“We also plan and work in with our customers to do shutdowns and routine maintenance.


“We’re involved in the day-to-day, keeping our equipment up and running for our customers.”


Epiroc is an esteemed name in the mining industry, and the HB 2500 is no departure from the OEM’s high standards in design and engineering.




Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/a-bulletproof-breaker/

July 9, 2024
The Queensland Government has broken ground on the first construction works of the $5 billion CopperString project. Work commenced yesterday on the CopperString projects’ first and largest workforce accommodation site. The site will house those charged with building the project’s 840km high-voltage transmission line that will connect Mount Isa to the ‘SuperGrid’ for the first time. The workforce accommodation will house up to 550 construction workers at its peak. These workers will construct a nearby substation and progress early stages of the transmission line development heading west from Hughenden out to Mount Isa. Supercharging the state’s north-west aims to unlock Queensland’s $500 billion north-west minerals province. It’s expected CopperString will be complete in 2029, weather and construction conditions permitting. Queensland Premier Stephen Miles said CopperString is the biggest ever expansion to the state’s publicly owned energy system. “Queenslanders deserve cheaper, cleaner, more reliable energy – to power their homes, our schools, hospitals, shopping centres and more,” Miles said . “CopperString will be the catalyst for transforming Queensland’s north and north-west – opening up mining opportunities, creating more jobs and unlocking critical minerals which will be essential in developing renewable technologies. “This is the start of a long and exciting future for the region and our state.” Commencing later this month, project owner, Queensland Powerlink, will be offering free sessions for businesses along the CopperString corridor to build their capabilities. The program includes five workshops and one-on-one assistance to help businesses build confidence to bid on major projects and supply chain work in the region. “All of North Queensland understands the immense opportunities that CopperString presents for local jobs both directly and indirectly which is why this is such a momentous day,” Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart said.  “Critical minerals are the next big boom for the resources industry and the feedback I’ve had from companies is that this project is key to unlocking those opportunities.” Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/queensland-breaks-ground-on-copperstring/
July 8, 2024
Underground mines are busy places, and it’s vital companies are on top of their processes to enable an efficient and safe underground operation. Whether it’s having the best equipment to drive higher production, maximise return on investment, minimise waste or keep workers out of harm’s way, mining companies benefit from understanding and investing in the right underground technologies. Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/showcasing-the-best-in-underground-mining/
July 8, 2024
BHP has started environmental processing to have the transport at its Escondida copper mine in Chile transitioned to an electric trolley system. The Big Australian will invest around $US250 million ($371.6 million) in the project at Escondida, which it owns in a joint venture with Rio Tinto. The funds will go towards installing key infrastructure to electrically assist the movement of extraction trucks in areas where the highest fuel consumption currently takes place. BHP has submitted an environmental impact statement to the Environmental Impact Assessment System in Chile. “The electric trolley system is one of the initiatives with which we seek to move towards a safer and more sustainable way of operating hand in hand with technology,” BHP Escondida president Alejandro Tapia said . “This project will allow us to reduce the fuel consumption of our extraction trucks and thus advance our goal of net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.” The project includes the construction of a new electrical substation and transmission lines both inside and around the Escondida Norte pit. These facilities will electrically assist the movement of trucks inside the mine in the areas where they go up loaded with ore and, consequently, consume more fuel. With this new technology, instead of using diesel, they will be propelled by electrical power, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving productivity associated with truck performance given the higher travel speed. Once construction kicks off up to 160 jobs are expected to be created. The trolley project is in addition to other technological transformation initiatives that the company maintains in different stages of study and execution, including the progressive incorporation of autonomy in its mining equipment.  To date, Escondida has six autonomous trucks in full operation and by 2025 it expects to have the largest fleet of autonomous equipment in South America. Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/bhp-goes-green-at-worlds-largest-copper-mine/
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