Alimak - Raise Climbers for Mining and Underground Engineering

Alimak AB is the manufacturer of the the Alimak Raise Climber for applications in mining and underground civil engineering. The company's range of underground equipment also covers shaft enlarging platforms, winches and service/inspection lifts.

The introduction in 1957 of the Alimak Raise Climber and the Alimak Method of Raising signified an enormous improvement of working conditions, safety, speed and accuracy in raise driving.

Alimak, until then known as a supplier to the construction industry only, entered the mining world with a product and principle which was - and still is - unique in this field of activity.

THE ALIMAK RAISE CLIMBER

Originally developed for mining applications, the Raise Climber has gradually been improved to suit all kinds of raising in mines and underground civil engineering projects like shafts and penstocks for hydro-electric power plants, ventilation shafts for road tunnels etc...

The over 2300 Raise Climbers delivered so far have been used to drive more shafts and raises than any other system; in all kinds of rock, pilot and full-face, vertical and inclined, and even for raise and vein mining.

The Alimak Method consists of five steps which make up a cycle: Drilling, Loading, Blasting, Ventilation and Scaling. The Raise Climber serves both as a work platform and as a means of transport to the work site.

It runs on a guide rail anchored to the hanging wall. Using curved guide rail sections, the direction of travel can be changed at any time; forward, backward or sideways.

Alimak Raise Climbers are available with air, electric or diesel/hydraulic drive units. The longest shaft driven in one step so far is 1050 m (Norway). The platform can be any shape and size. The largest work platform supplied so far measured more than 30 sq.m.

RCM-6 - THE 6TH GENERATION ALIMAK RAISE CLIMBER

The most recent development of the Raise Climber is the RCM-6 enabling mechanized drilling of long, inclined shafts. A hydraulic boom with telescopic feeder carries the hydraulic rock drill. An electro-hydraulic powerpack supplies the power for both drilling and ascent/descent.

SHAFT ENLARGING

A flexible and economical method for excavation of shafts with large cross-sections is to make a pilot raise with the Alimak Raise Climber and enlarge to final size using Alimak suspended platforms and electric winches. The method provides a safe and good working environment and minimises overbreak.

The winches carrying the platform are remote controlled and electrically synchronised. The biggest shaft enlarging platform delivered so far had 23 m dia.

INTERLEVEL / INSPECTION LIFTS

Wherever in mines and underground shafts a lift for inspection, emergency or interlevel hoisting is required, the Alimak U-600 rack & pinion lift is the most economical choice. It requires no machine room, it can be installed at any inclination and provides a time saving, safe and comfortable transport facility. So far, the longest installation goes 650 m deep.

Alimak AB was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Skellefteå, Sweden. Apart from mining/underground construction equipment, Alimak manufactures passenger/materials hoists for the construction industry as well as permanently installed rack & pinion lifts for various industrial applications.

BACKGROUND INFROMATION

Alimak AB is a wholly owned company of Alimak Hek Group AB.

Alimak Hek Group is the world's leading supplier of mast climbing equipment and added value services for both temporary and permanent installations providing the most cost efficient, reliable, and flexible vertical access solutions for people and materials in the construction and general industry. The Alimak Hek Group is jointly owned by two private equity companies, 3i plc (UK) and Ratos AB (Sweden).

Alimak Hek has sales companies in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, UK, USA, Australia, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and distributors and dealers in some 70 additional countries.

Alimak AB PO Box 720 SE-931 27 Skellefteå Sweden Tel: +46 910 87000 Fax: +46 910 56690 Email: info@alimak.se URL: www.alimakhek.com