A shift towards more robust heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for mobile equipment has been noted in the surface mining and quarrying sectors.

According to Booyco Engineering MD Brenton Spies, recent trends have focused on operator safety and comfort, system reliability and environmental considerations.

“The classification of climate as a Class A hazard underscores the importance of providing operators with comfortable working conditions. Ensuring a safe and comfortable environment is not just about individual wellbeing but also about enhancing productivity,” Spies says.

“Reliable and effective HVAC systems are crucial in maintaining a safe working environment around the clock,” he says, adding that by ensuring a comfortable working environment, HVAC systems help operators maintain cognitive awareness, preventing accidents.

Combining HVAC systems with air filtration systems mitigates the risk of respiratory illnesses by removing harmful gases and particles from the operator cab. Booyco Engineering is an authorised distributor of Sy-Klone air filters in Southern Africa and its HVAC systems are designed to integrate with these filters.

Spies explains that maintaining uptime of equipment on a surface mining site is critical for minimising operational costs. “Good working conditions are integral to this. Operators have the right to stop working if the HVAC system in their cab becomes dysfunctional, potentially causing significant interruptions to mining operations. This, again, reinforces that reliable HVAC systems are essential to ensure continuous operation.”

Extreme conditions and dusty operating environments are common in mining operations and Booyco asserts that its HVAC systems are engineered to withstand harsh conditions, and to handle extreme vibrations when traversing rough terrain.

“Ongoing maintenance of HVAC systems is just as crucial as selecting the most appropriate system for an application to ensure reliability, and we offer maintenance contracts and Man on Site options that facilitate preventative maintenance and ensure optimal uptime of our HVAC systems, ensuring maximum fleet uptime,” adds Spies.

Supporting the sector's move towards more environment-friendly refrigerants, Booyco Engineering has developed a fully integrated HVAC anti-idle auxiliary power unit which helps reduce diesel consumption during operational idle times and helps reduce operating costs.