Working with Carrapateena Mine and an equipment manufacturer, the SL100 Reamer Lifting Gantry system has been developed.

The SL100 unit is a track-mounted gantry system with hydraulic lifting units capable of lifting up to 80t. The unit is operated remotely, removing employees from the shaft area during reamer lifts. When the reamer is lifted out of the shaft, the reamer is trammed away from the open shaft which is then covered with a hole cover to create a safe working area.

"PYBAR's underground raise bore reamer removal system is a safety win for the raise bore industry, and we would be happy to share the methodology with anyone interested in a safer and more efficient way of removing large diameter reamers in an underground environment," said PYBAR's raise bore and shaft lining manager, Phillip Viljoen.

The PYBAR underground reamer lifting gantry methodology has now been accepted as industry best practice and sets the standard for removing large diameter reamers safely in an underground environment.