Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for suspending and guiding at least one tool or work platform externally about a grinding mill, the apparatus including (a) a fixed track suspended above the grinding mill and extending about an outer periphery thereof in a plane substantially parallel to a surrounding floor of the mill, and, (b) at least one carriage assembly mounted to the track for suspending and guiding the at least one tool or work platform, the at least one carriage assembly configured to provide the at least one tool or work platform with at least two degrees of freedom, and wherein a first degree of freedom is linear movement along a first axis orthogonal to the surrounding floor of the mill.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for use in installation of a mill liner, the method including (a) retaining a mounting bolt at least partially within a liner opening extending through the mill liner, (b) positioning the mill liner against a mill shell so that the retained mounting bolt is aligned with a mill shell opening extending through the mill shell, (c) selectively coupling an extraction tool to the mounting bolt, the coupling performed by an operator outside of the mill shell, (d) detaching the mounting bolt from the liner using the extraction tool; (e) pulling the mounting bolt through the mill shell opening so that at least a portion of the mounting bolt protrudes outside of the mill shell, and, (e) securing a fastener onto the mounting bolt to thereby attach the mill liner to the mill.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of removing a liner from a mill, the liner fastened to a mill shell by at least one liner bolt, the method including: (a) driving the at least one liner bolt through the mill shell until it becomes retained in the liner, whereby in a retained position, a head of the at least one liner bolt is exposed so as to project proud of the liner towards an interior of the mill; (b) engaging a tool onto the at least one liner bolt; and, (c) lifting the liner away from the mill shell using the tool to thereby enable the liner to be removed from the mill. A system for removing a liner from a mill and tool for use in removing a liner from a mill are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for suspending and guiding at least one tool or work platform externally about a grinding mill, the apparatus including (a) a fixed track suspended above the grinding mill and extending about an outer periphery thereof in a plane substantially parallel to a surrounding floor of the mill, and, (b) at least one carriage assembly mounted to the track for suspending and guiding the at least one tool or work platform, the at least one carriage assembly configured to provide the at least one tool or work platform with at least two degrees of freedom, and wherein a first degree of freedom is linear movement along a first axis orthogonal to the surrounding floor of the mill.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for use in installation of a mill liner, the method including (a) retaining a mounting bolt at least partially within a liner opening extending through the mill liner, (b) positioning the mill liner against a mill shell so that the retained mounting bolt is aligned with a mill shell opening extending through the mill shell, (c) selectively coupling an extraction tool to the mounting bolt, the coupling performed by an operator outside of the mill shell, (d) detaching the mounting bolt from the liner using the extraction tool; (e) pulling the mounting bolt through the mill shell opening so that at least a portion of the mounting bolt protrudes outside of the mill shell, and, (e) securing a fastener onto the mounting bolt to thereby attach the mill liner to the mill.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of removing a liner from a mill, the liner fastened to a mill shell by at least one liner bolt, the method including: (a) driving the at least one liner bolt through the mill shell until it becomes retained in the liner, whereby in a retained position, a head of the at least one liner bolt is exposed so as to project proud of the liner towards an interior of the mill; (b) engaging a tool onto the at least one liner bolt; and, (c) lifting the liner away from the mill shell using the tool to thereby enable the liner to be removed from the mill. A system for removing a liner from a mill and tool for use in removing a liner from a mill are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for suspending and guiding at least first and second linerbolt removal tools externally of a grinding mill. The first linerbolt removal tool is associated with a first carriage assembly and used for knocking out linerbolts on a cylindrical main body portion of the mill. The second linerbolt removal tool is associated with a second carriage assembly and used for knocking linerbolts on a frusto-conical end portion of the mill. Each of the first and second carriage assemblies providing no more than three degrees of freedom to their respective first and second linerbolt removal tools, and wherein at least one of the degrees of freedom is angular movement about the axis of rotation of said mill.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for suspending and guiding at least one tool or work platform externally about a grinding mill, the apparatus including (a) a fixed track suspended above the grinding mill and extending about an outer periphery thereof in a plane substantially parallel to a surrounding floor of the mill, and, (b) at least one carriage assembly mounted to the track for suspending and guiding the at least one tool or work platform, the at least one carriage assembly configured to provide the at least one tool or work platform with at least two degrees of freedom, and wherein a first degree of freedom is linear movement along a first axis orthogonal to the surrounding floor of the mill.

Abstract: In combination a loader unit and haul unit for use in a block caving mining operation. Each of the loader unit and the haul unit comprise a removable bucket, which can be used for loading ore. In use the bucket carrying a load of ore can be transferred from the loader unit to the haul unit so that the haul unit can transport the ore from a loading site to a crusher. The loader unit and haul unit have a respective longitudinal axis extending from the fore end to the aft thereof, and the bucket is elongate with a longitudinal axis. In use when the bucket is mounted to the loader unit the longitudinal axis of the bucket is disposed orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the loader unit. When the bucket is transferred to the haul unit, the bucket is placed upright on the haul unit with the longitudinal axis of the bucket parallel to the longitudinal axis of the haul unit.

Abstract: Machine-implemented methods, systems, processing devices and machine-readable media are provided for simulating a mill reline, which involve collecting mill relining data and processing the relining data as simulation parameters using a mill relining model. The relining data generally include variables treated as discrete time/frequency distributions. Simulated events for the mill reline may be generated based on the relining data. Additional relining data relating to a specific existing site may be included as simulation parameters. The simulation may be used in determining an optimal work flow for carrying out the mill reline at a specific existing site, e.g., where time to carry out the mill reline is minimized. The simulation may also be employed for benchmarking. The additional relining data may be provided in video format, and analysis of the video format data may be undertaken, e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus for suspending and guiding at least first and second linerbolt removal tools externally of a grinding mill. The first linerbolt removal tool is associated with a first carriage assembly and used for knocking out linerbolts on a cylindrical main body portion of the mill. The second linerbolt removal tool is associated with a second carriage assembly and used for knocking linerbolts on a frusto-conical end portion of the mill. Each of the first and second carriage assemblies providing no more than three degrees of freedom to their respective first and second linerbolt removal tools, and wherein at least one of the degrees of freedom is angular movement about the axis of rotation of said mill.

Abstract: A moil guide having a sleeve that has an opening adapted to receive at least a portion of a linerbolt. The moil guide also has a magnetic attachment device attached to the sleeve. The magnetic attachment device is operable to selectively generate a magnetic field. The magnetic attachment device is operable to selectively generate the magnetic field to removably attach the moil guide to a metal surface.

Abstract: Machine-implemented methods, systems, processing devices and machine-readable media are provided for simulating a mill reline, which involve collecting mill relining data and processing the relining data as simulation parameters using a mill relining model. The relining data generally include variables treated as discrete time/frequency distributions. Simulated events for the mill reline may be generated based on the relining data. Additional relining data relating to a specific existing site may be included as simulation parameters. The simulation may be used in determining an optimal work flow for carrying out the mill reline at a specific existing site, e.g., where time to carry out the mill reline is minimized. The simulation may also be employed for benchmarking. The additional relining data may be provided in video format, and analysis of the video format data may be undertaken, e.g.

Abstract: A moil guide having a sleeve that has an opening adapted to receive at least a portion of a linerbolt. The moil guide also has a magnetic attachment device attached to the sleeve. The magnetic attachment device is operable to selectively generate a magnetic field. The magnetic attachment device is operable to selectively generate the magnetic field to removably attach the moil guide to a metal surface.

Abstract: A recoilless hammer comprising a moil supported for reciprocal movement along a hammer axis of a housing, a piston moveable within the chamber of an elongate tube extending from the rear of the housing such that it may strike the moil. In a rest position the piston is held forward against the moil by a low pressure air supply delivered from the aft end of the chamber, and the piston is retracted to a charged position at the aft end of the chamber by delivery of high pressure air to act on the fore portion of the piston. Upon actuation of a trigger mechanism, air is vented from the fore end of the chamber to atmosphere causing a pressure unbalance of low magnitude across the piston, such that it accelerates towards and strikes the moil. The chamber is of a length to enable a high energy blow with minimal piston acceleration recoil when the hammer is manually held and operated.

Abstract: A recoilless hammer comprising a moil supported for reciprocal movement along a hammer axis of a housing, a piston moveable within the chamber of an elongate tube extending from the rear of the housing such that it may strike the moil. In a rest position the piston is held forward against the moil by a low pressure air supply delivered from the aft end of the chamber, and the piston is retracted to a charged position at the aft end of the chamber by delivery of high pressure air to act on the fore portion of the piston. Upon actuation of a trigger mechanism, air is vented from the fore end of the chamber to atmosphere causing a pressure unbalance of low magnitude across the piston, such that it accelerates towards and strikes the moil. The chamber is of a length to enable a high energy blow with minimal piston acceleration recoil when the hammer is manually held and operated.

Abstract: A mill relining apparatus (1) for handling articles such as liners and lifters within a mill (3). The relining apparatus (1) includes a mast (5), with top (23) and bottom (19) engagement members, which supports one or more article handling arrangements (31) The mast is extendible in length so that it can be locked into a substantially upright position within a mill (3) with the bottom engagement member (19) resting on mill charge (7) within the mill (3) and the top engagement member (23) engaging with an upper surface (99) of the mill (3).