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Innovative Mining Technology Propels Dumas To Be Industry Leader

By Frank Giorno

Aug 11, 2015

Innovation drives Dumas Mines Contracting a Timmins-based global mining consulting company and the pursuit of the latest technology has propelled the company to be a leader in mining contracting in Canada and globally.

Dumas recently displayed the innovative technology it has acquired at an open-house at its Timmins yard.

“We are having  this open house so clients can see the new innovative equipment we have on hand working with our partners Walden Equipment out of Sudbury and Resemin from Peru, “ said Glenn Wilson Fleet Manager with Dumas. “ These new machines will make their operations more efficient, profitable and safer.”

Admiring Dumas' Muki narrow vein drilling unit. Photo by Frank Giorno

An example of technology Dumas has on hand to serve its clients is an imported miniature drilling rig known as a “Muki”, built by Resemin, a Peruvian company, that can be used in gold and silver mines that use narrow drift where vein chasing occurs to retrieve as much ore and less rock.

 “We are always looking for new innovative mining equipment that we can provide our clients to improve their efficiency and increase safety,” said Jim Laroche, Dumas’ Director of Fleet Management.

All these new machines are smaller and designed to get into the narrow quarters in pursuit of more accurately drilling and scooping out ore and less rock.

This is the first Muki in Canada.

“We purchased it from Resemin which has been manufacturing them in Peru for the Latin America mining industry successfully," said Laroche.”

The Muki is three metres wide and can pursue more accurately a narrow vein that most other drilling equipment which is typically up to 8 metres wide.

Smaller veins increase the danger to men working on a rock face. These machines are replacing traditional jackleg and stope drilling.

“Safety is a major concern in mining and our first priority is to get the man away from the rock face,” Laroche said.

There currently is only one Muki in Canada – the one that was on display at Dumas’ open house in Timmins. Over the next six months it will be put through its paces at Goldcorp’s Dome Mine to make sure it meets all the Ontario safety standards before importing additional units.

“We have plans to bring in additional units to meet the demands of a mining company in Sudbury who is interested in five of these units,” said Larouche.

The Muki like most of today’s new mining equipment is an electronic and hydraulic hybrid that can be adapted to remote control.

Another machine on display was a scoop tram built and designed by Walden Equipment out of Sudbury, Ontario. It too is relatively small and can enter tighter quarters than most other equipment.

Linked directly to worker safety is a piece of equipment which Dumas has on hand to respond to mining emergencies. It is called an Alicab

 “The Alimak has all the emergency equipment required to respond to an incident,” said Norm Fleury, Dumas millwright.

“It has all the equipment in a box and includes a compartment to carry out injured workers if required,” he added.

 Each mining district is mandated to have an Alicab on hand to respond to emergencies.  Dumas has 8 or 10 that it employees on behalf of clients in North and South America.

 

Dumas Mines Contracting displays its MUKI a narrow vein drilling unit. Photo by Frank Giorno

 

Walden Equipment of Sudbury and Timmins built this mini Scoop Tram displayed by Dumas. Photo by Frank Giorno