Store Norske Spitsbergen Grubekompani (SNSG) has ordered a mobile shiploader and a link conveyor from B&W Mechanical Handling to replace an existing installation that was damaged beyond repair in March. The equipment is fed by a crusher/feeder unit which in turn is fed by front-end loaders. The combined system handles coal at a peak rate of 1,200tph (tonnes per hour) at ‘Gruve 7’ (Mine 7) which is 15km from Longyearbyen.
The sub-assembled equipment will be delivered by vessel. It has to be on site and operational by 15 November this year. On-time delivery is a major issue for SNSG as there are currently no other means available for exporting material.
The mobile shiploader’s main boom is 55m long and 1.4m wide with a plain belt and a 350° radial action thrower. The onboard generator set provides for full mobility and all power functions including the link conveyor. The control cabin is mounted to the chassis. Heating, lighting and positive air pressure is included. In addition the unit comes with enhanced lighting equipment and a remote camera system for work safety. Although the south of Spitsbergen benefits from the Gulf Stream effect on the climate, a ‘cold climate pack’ is necessary for optimum availability. This has proven its effectiveness on mining sites in Greenland (45m mobile shiploader to handle olivine rock fu¨r Minelco) and Russia (30m mobile shiploader to handle coal at the Port of Vysotsk).
The link conveyor has a 30 metre boom with a belt width of 1.4 metres. Its electrical drive supplies 37kW of power; the conveyor offers towed travel options.
Since the March storm destroyed the aged loading equipment
at Mine 7, SNSG tried to replace the facility as fast as possible. The company investigated new fixed loading installations and looked for used mobile equipment on the secondhand market. Eventually the decision to purchase new equipment from B&W was made for two main reasons: first of all SNSG looked for rapidly available and easy to handle proven technology. In addition to that, the time schedule was extremely important. The equipment has to be delivered by a vessel planned for November and has to be ready to operate the very same month. The high quality coal from Mine 7 is used in the production of modern compacted graphite iron diesel engine cylinders, as produced by some of the major European engine manufacturers. Exports must resume in November this year.
 
ABOUT THE AUMUND GROUP
The AUMUND Group is active on four continents. The conveying and storage specialist has special expertise at its disposal when dealing with bulk materials. With its high degree of individuality, both its technically sophisticated as well as innovative products have contributed to the AUMUND Group today being a major supplier in many areas of conveying and storage technology. The manufacturing companies AUMUND Fo¨rdertechnik GmbH, SCHADE Lagertechnik GmbH, B&W Mechanical Handling Ltd. as well as AUMUND Logistic GmbH are consolidated under the umbrella of the AUMUND Group. In conjunction with the headquarters of the manufacturing companies, the global conveying and storage technology business is spearheaded by a total of eight locations in Asia, Europe, North and South America.