Heat, dust, humidity and long operating hours all contribute to conditions that place extreme demands on personnel and equipment in underground mining environments.  These tough operating conditions require robust purpose-built climate control solutions, says South African heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) specialist Booyco Engineering.

The company designs and manufactures HVAC systems aimed at ensuring operator safety, equipment reliability and compliance with stringent mine health regulations. Purpose-built solutions are engineered to withstand high dust loads, corrosive atmospheres, constant vibration, tight installation spaces and extreme thermal conditions.

The underground HVAC units are available in a range of duty ratings to suit various vehicle categories including personnel carriers, utility vehicles, load-haul-dump machines, rock drills, scalers and telescopic handlers. Systems are designed to deliver cooling capacities from 5.5 kW to 12 kW in 46 °C ambient tempratures, depending on the application, while maintaining positive cab pressure and clean-air delivery through specialised cyclonic dust scavenging filtration and airflow designs.

Units are equipped with high efficiency Sy-Klone filtration systems that remove airborne dust and contaminants, ensuring that the quality of air inside the cab remains within mandated occupational exposure limits.

The company’s HVAC units are constructed with the use of corrosion-protected materials, reinforced housings, sealed electrical components and vibration-resistant mounting systems. Intelligent control interfaces allow operators to adjust airflow and temperature to maintain safe and productive conditions. In addition, the systems are designed for ease of maintenance with accessible components and service intervals suited to intensive underground schedules.

Booyco Engineering MD Brenton Spies says the company continues to set the benchmark in purpose-designed underground HVAC and climate control technology across Africa, India and other global mining regions. From personnel carriers to heavy utility machines, Spies says that the company’s solutions ensure mines can maintain safe working environments while improving productivity and reducing equipment downtime.