This blog will take readers through companies and organizations engaged in the manufacture of Mining Cable in Australia, along with their respective roles regarding safety and performance, which have become more demanding in tandem with modern mining.
What is Mining Cable?
Some have been specifically designed for this function only, and these are used in mining cables. However, there are two aspects: underground and above the ground. They offer essential power supply to all varieties of drilling equipment like conveyors, loaders, pumps and even more, and they facilitate communication between people and appliances to ensure safe operation of work.Mining cables are constructed with high-grade materials to operate in the most adverse environmental conditions, including high temperatures, moisture, chemicals, abrasion, and mechanical stresses. Such cables are often built with several layers of insulation, armoring, and protective sheathing to prevent damage so that they can be used uninterruptedly in hazardous conditions.
There are usually two main types of mining cables:
- Power Cables: These carry heavy-voltage electricity to heavy machinery in mining.
- Control Cables: Such are used on the signaling and control systems and for data transmission during mining operations.
Principal Producers that manufacture Mining Cables
There are only a few leading manufacturers of mining cables. These companies assure that their products are on par with the high demand of mining applications and, therefore, meet the standards of international quality. A few of the leading manufacturing names for mining cables include:
Prysmian Group: Prysmian Group is one of the world's largest producers of cables and accessories, including mining cables. The company was previously known as General Cable, which it acquired in 2018, doubling its capabilities in several areas, including mining. The company is famous for the production of high-quality cables that meet the needs of the mining industry, especially power cables for heavy machinery and communication cables for employees and equipment.
Prysmian has on offer a product portfolio that caters to underground and surface mining applications. Their mining cables are fire-resistant, long-lasting, and resistant to extreme conditions encountered in the environment. Most of Prysmian Group's mining cables find vast application in coal, metallic, and nonmetal mines, ensuring safety and optimizing operation.
Key activities performed by Prysmian Group:
- Prysmian Group produces high-voltage and low-voltage mining cables. Prysmian Group supplies specialized cable solutions for mines on the surface and underground.
- Make use of international safety standards such as IEC and UL.
Southwire: Southwire is yet another major cable manufacturing house that has been producing mining cables for over 60 years without facing any problems. It is one of the biggest cable manufacturers and has products catering to sectors as different as mining, construction and telecommunication. Its approach towards cable manufacturing makes Southwire stand out in the arena of safety and quality with its mining cables.
Southwire makes mining cables with the mindset of mining environments. Moisture, chemicals, and extreme temperatures will be on the cable. The Southwire mining cables include power cables, control cables, and fire-resistant cables. Southwire's products are utilized in mining operations worldwide and ensure safe and reliable electricity and communication for mining activities.
Key Responsibilities of Southwire
- Design mining cables that can last longer under extreme conditions.
- Manufacturing fire-resistant cables to minimize the risk of fire in mining operations.
- Their cables must meet or exceed industry standards for performance and safety.
Role of Standards and Certifications in Mining Cable Manufacturing
Due to the hazardous environments involved during its application, mining cable manufacturing is quite regulated. There are many organizations as well as standards regarding the safety and durability of mining cables and how they should comply with global safety regulations in terms of their design and production.
Some of the key standards involved in mining cables are:
- Global standard-setting bodies include IEC electric equipment standards with a cable used in mining operations. UL (Underwriters Laboratories) fire safety certificate is also needed in any mining cable; the rationale behind this requirement is fire resistance and its capability while mining. The United States MSHA is an administering body of mine safety standards that were tailored especially for U.S. mines; hence, it includes standards concerning electrical cables.
- The manufacturers of mining cables have to follow these standards in terms of making sure their final products are safe, dependable, and efficient enough when used in extreme conditions surrounding mining.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the task of manufacturing Mining Cable falls exclusively on the few cable production giants across the world. Continuous products, meeting world standards for safety and reliability, the environmental condition notwithstanding, yet with the product standing tall and proud in the side of the industry, shall be produced at their best by Prysmian Group, Southwire, Znergy Cable, LS Cable & System, amongst other companies, for powering machines and good communication in mines. These manufacturers, with innovation and commitment to quality, ensure mining operations worldwide are safe, efficient, and productive.
Also Read: A Guide To Buy Mining Cable