Piloting new rail system with CVRD Inco tracking progress in Northern climes.

• Author: Louiseize, Kelly
• Position: SPECIAL REPORT: MINING

A revolutionary new rail system will be piloted at two of CVRD Inco mines and if all goes well, professionals believe they will see sweeping changes, particularly in deep mine production. Rail-Veyor is a materials handling system that loosely resembles a conventional train system, a conveyer belt and a roller coaster.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

It consists of a series of connected cars with two wheels attached to the car in front by a special coupling system. This supports the front end of the car and allows for articulated motion either horizontally or vertically. The car's shape resembles a trough and is connected to one another by a flexible flap. This prevents feed spillage between the cars and forms a chute when it comes time for dumping.

The unique feature of the system is the drive mechanism. Rotating foam-filled tires mounted horizontally onto the rail track connects with the installed plates on the side of the cars that gives it motion. Contact with the rotating tires pushes the train forward. Since a diesel engine does not push this train, the weight is determined by the car and its contents.

"If we can show that this thing is safe and reliable and will go upgrades and around corners and back down and provide a very simple relatively inexpensive materials handling system, that could revolutionize deep mining," Fred Baker of Rail-Veyor Technologies Inc.

"Everything becomes a lot easier because you don't have this big heavy locomotive."

Currently, the rail systems underground is being lead by large heavy locomotives using electricity or diesel. Traditional cars usually have a front and back system, and therefore stop and go loading for each car takes time.

The open concept of the Rail-Veyor means it has one continuous feed, similar to that of a conveyor belt.

The difference is, conveyor belts cannot turn corners and one would have to ensure a safe transfer of weight in each car to balance the ore from one station to another.

Baker says the new train system may prove to have applications in deep mining.

The further underground one goes, the more stress is put on the rock. Larger openings are not congruent with going deeper, Baker says. If the future of mining is to increase production, then larger haulage vehicles will be required to operate at depth. The volume of ventilation then becomes a factor, as does the space it requires to operate it.

Rail-Veyor is run by a small electric motor from a control room, Baker says.

"As you go deeper...