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 17.06.2010
PAUS Minca prove to be reliable in kazakh copper mines
For more than 40 years, the german company PAUS has been convincing with solutions for mining and tunnelling. For example Universa vehicles, trucks, dump trucks and LHD-loaders belong to the substantial product range of the family-owned company in northern Germany.
One of the most successful products in the range of mining and tunnelling is the PAUS Minca (Mining Car) – a 4WD transportation vehicle, available in two models: Minca 5 with a total length of 4.6 m and Minca 18 (5.7 m).
The basic vehicle is designed to carry different attachments: Personnel cabin, loading platform with crane, fire fighting cassette as well as an ambulance are only some superstructures which make the Minca indispensable for underground operation.
In many mines around the world customers are impressed by the high qualitiy of the PAUS Minca. Since 2007 a total of 34 personnel transporters have been delivered to Kazakhstan. In kazakh copper mines, Minca 18 carries the miners safely and comfortable all across the mine to their workplaces in short time.
The Minca 18 convinces above all with its very sturdy design and high reliability. High quality components “Made in Germany” add to an outstanding economy and availability of the machines.
Powered by a water-cooled 2012 series 93 KW DEUTZ engine, the Minca features a monitoring device that shuts down the engine automatically in case of any failures such as engine or converter oil temperature or pressure. The first units have now already undergone more than 6.000 operating hours within two years without any major failures.
The conditions in the mines are pretty tough: The environment is very wet, besides humidity the water is very acidic and therefore corrosive.
Additionally, the roads show frequent changes of horizontal transversal gradients, road holes, a slithery subsoil and conveyed material. In some parts knee-high water has to be crossed. The Minca was built for these conditions: with its four-wheel drive, integrated differential adn powerful engine slopes up to 40 % can be managed.
Another feature that was particularly used for this application is the hydrostatic drive, that gives constant traction without any gear shifting on the numerous inclines. Engine power is used optimal which reduces fuel consumption. Also braking is much easier since the drive is a closed circuit. This reduces wear and maintenance and increases safety. The maximum speed is 35 km/h. Of course, powershift transmission is also available.
Both front and rear axle are suspended by spiral springs and shock absorbers, the front axle is oscillating. Special attention was paid to a big ground clearance to deal with tough conditions.
When Minca was designed, PAUS also paid great attention to the passengers. The drivers’ and the passengers cabin are comfortable, roof and sidewalls are covered with insulation material. In addition, the dashboard and instruments as well as the adjustable steering wheel make it a preferred unit to use. A closed cabin with heating and air conditioning is available as option. For use in extremely cold environments, the installation of a “winter-start-package” is possible.
The German-Kazakh service company OOO “Eurotechservice” (ETS) is responsible for service and maintenance on the mine sites. ETS has a central workshop on the client’s premises, which is quickly accessible from the mines. Well trained service engineers and technicians maintain the units operationable. With up-to-date tools and equipment, failures can be addressed directly without delays; oil samples are regularly taken and analysed the laboratory.
All maintenance and service jobs can easily be performed since already at the design of the Minca a large number of flaps and openings were included to enable quick access especially for frequent maintenance spots like filters and filling points.
The successful operation of the Minca 18 units in the Kazakh copper mines shows that these machines can run successfully even under tough underground conditions: this is what they were designed for.
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