The great thing about it is that the same system can also be used to transport workers to / from the mine, in many cases eliminating the need for expensive fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) transport.  The system can also be used to transport supplies to / from the mine.

Another major benefit for the mining industry is that this system can eliminate the need for expensive port loading infrastructure because the transport modules can load directly into ships.

This system is also an answer to some of the criticism received from the environmental movement.  The system can be installed with minimal earthworks and can cross sensitive environmental areas with minimal impact.  The system is also extremely fuel efficient.

The cost to install the system is about half the cost of installing a conventional railway line. If you combine the savings from line construction and eliminating the port requirements, the savings amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.  In some cases, this can mean the difference between proceeding or not proceeding with a new mine development.

Read more about the application to mining transport.

The same company has also developed a system for high speed passenger transport.

Imagine being able to travel from Sydney to Melbourne in less than 2 hours! Imagine doing it without all the hassles of airport check-ins and going through security.

Their inner city passenger transport solution will enable people to travel across the city at speeds of up to 110kph.  This type of system can be installed in just about any city because it is installed ABOVE the city.

For more information, go to the Alternate Transport website. The website has lots of images and even a few videos to watch.

Mike Sutherlin, Joy Global’s President and Chief Executive Officer said that the purchase of Continental would expand the range of products and services they can deliver to their customers, and was consistent with their strategy of adding related and highly synergised product lines. He added that Continental’s conveyor systems fit closely with their surface and underground and businesses, allowing Joy to leverage their strong global presence in both segments.

From other comments made, it appears that Joy is looking to further integrate their face mining systems with outbye conveyor systems in order to further improve system reliability.  If this truly happens, it would surely be welcomed by all longwall and development superintendents.

Let’s see how all this progresses.

Calvin Close
Managing Director
Australian Mining Reference

Further links:

Australian Mining Business Directory
 - Underground Coal Mining Equipment
 - Open Cut Mining Equipment
 - Hard Rock Mining Equipment
 - Conveyor Equipment