BAUER AG

  • “Vertical Approach” in deep-sea mining: BAUER Maschinen GmbH and the Harren & Partner Group establish joint venture

    Seafloor massive sulfides are a valuable mineral raw material found at the bottom of the deep sea. The “Vertical Approach” is a method for extracting seafloor massive sulfides using the trench cutter method, an established technique in specialist foundation engineering that is operated and supported in the deep-sea environment from a ship on the open sea. As a relatively small-scale intervention with a minimal ecological footprint, this approach is an ideal method for test mining and exploration of deposits up to a depth of 3,000 m.

    The approach was conceived in discussions between BAUER Maschinen GmbH, Schrobenhausen/Germany, and the Harren & Partner Group, Bremen/Germany, concerning opportunities to combine the expertise of both companies and to develop new strategies for sustainable mining approaches in accordance with the standards of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

    On 26th August 2021, a joint venture agreement was signed between the two companies and Seabed Mineral Services GmbH was established (Figure 1). The first stage is to determine the economic viability and, in particular, the environmental compatibility of the “Vertical Approach.”

    “We are thrilled to have found an expert partner in BAUER who is willing – just like us – to seize opportunities and take on a pioneering role in the field of deep-sea mining. Our joint approach for this venture is based on a combination of established technologies. This enables us to minimize the technological risk while at the same time keeping costs down,” says Heiko Felderhoff, Managing Director of Harren & Partner.

    Leonhard Weixler, head of the Diaphragm Wall Equipment division at BAUER, adds: “The chemistry between us is very good; we share a similar spirit. This partnership is an ideal union of specialist knowledge and experience in the field of offshore technologies and services with expertise in the development and production of specialist foundation engineering equipment for onshore and offshore customers around the world.”

    Felderhoff and Weixler act as Managing Directors of Seabed Mineral Services GmbH.

    Deep-sea sampling undeniably has an impact on sensitive deep-sea ecosystems. Nevertheless, the “Vertical Approach” makes the utmost effort to minimize the ecological footprint. A serious concern when it comes to deep-sea mining is the stirring up of sediment and the potential impact on sensitive deep-sea species. To prevent fine material from escaping the cutting area, a protective collar is positioned around the cutting wheels at the start and the actual cutting process is protected by the surrounding ore. As a result, fine material from the cutting process remains within this area, while the water mixed with fine sediment and cutting chips is pumped into the ore container.

    The separation process is carried out within the ore container to separate the particles from the sea water via sedimentation. After this treatment, the water is fed back to the cutting wheels and reused in the cutting circuit. This closed system minimizes the volume of sea water that is impacted by the cutting process.

    Fig. 2. In the “Vertical Approach”, the template and diaphragm wall cutter are lowered via a winch instead of being placed once and then moved horizontally along the seafloor. Photo: BAUER

    Sampling is selective. The template and trench cutter are lowered using a cable winch instead of being initially positioned then moved horizontally along the seafloor (Figure 2). This restricts the sphere of influence to the base area of the template feet and trench cutter. Zones with ore can be clearly separated from zones without ore.

    Another aspect of the “Vertical Approach” that reduces the environmental impact of this method compared to other methods is that only one “tool” is used for extracting material. The soil does not need to be crushed later for transport to the ship. Only the raw material is extracted, with minimal impact on the environment.

    Weitere Informationen:
    BAUER AG
    www.bauer.de

  • The new BAUER eBG 33 – The drilling rig for an electrical future

    Schrobenhausen, Germany – What started as an idea is now reality: At this year’s in-house exhibition with the slogan “BAU ERLEBEN,” BAUER Maschinen GmbH is presenting the new eBG – the first electric drilling rig manufactured by Bauer (Figure 1). The equipment relies on electrical power instead of a diesel engine, so it does not require any fossil fuels, and operates extremely quietly, making it perfect for use in cities. “We have been working with electrification for some time now,” explains Christian Heinecker, Head of the Drilling Equipment division at BAUER Maschinen GmbH. “In the past, however, this was tailored to specific customer requests or projects.”

    At its heart, development of the new eBG is a component of “Zero Emission”. This encompasses various spheres of activity such as sustainability, recycling, energy, CO2 footprint and noise emissions. The electrical operation of drilling rigs is therefore simply the logical next step towards climate neutrality.

    Previously, electrification of Bauer equipment has only been applied in specific cases such as the Dive Drill, a drilling rig operated from ships for underwater drilling in which electrically driven hydraulic power packs were installed, or in the area of deep drilling technology with the electrically driven Top Drive. “Electrification has entered our standard portfolio in the form of individual products as well as deep drilling technology,” says Christian Heinecker. The first duty-cycle crane with an electric motor was presented at Bauma 2019 in Munich: the BAUER MC 96, with a trench cutter that is suitable for urban construction as well as for the construction of subway shafts.

    Fig. 2. The new eBG 33 falls in the mid-range segment of the drilling rig series with a drive power of more than 400 kW. Photo: BAUER Group

    The new eBG 33 (Figure 2) falls in the mid-range segment of the drilling rig series with a drive power of more than 400 kW, which puts it on the same scale as a BG 28 to BG 36 and thus within the range of 280 to 390 kNm torque. As a result, it covers a very wide range of applications on site. Apart from classical Kelly drilling, the eBG 33 can be used for high-performance methods, for example soil mixing techniques such as cutter soil mixing (CSM) or double-head system drilling. It is even possible to attach a Bauer trench cutter.

    In preparation for development of the electric drilling rig, analysis has revealed that the average diesel consumption is significantly higher for the BG 28 and larger equipment when compared to smaller equipment types. This is because this type of drilling rig is also used for high-performance methods roughly a third of the time, in addition to frequent Kelly drilling. “And this is exactly where we focused,” says Christian Heinecker. “In fact, our analysis also demonstrated that specifically in this range, the operating costs could be enormously reduced for the long-term operation of an eBG compared to a diesel-operated drilling rig.”

    To deliver the same capacity as a conventional Bauer BG with a diesel engine, the eBG 33 was developed using a direct power supply solution. The reason: The currently available battery systems would not be able to manage the capacity in this size class. Accordingly, the preparatory work on site must be planned over a number of months to ensure that the power supply is also provided. Using the eBG is thus primarily advantageous on large-scale and long running construction sites, since the overall benefits, such as significantly reduced operating costs, can be fully exploited over the longer period of time.

    From the outside, the eBG does not look any different from its “relatives” except for the color. It’s a different story on the inside: An electric engine was installed instead of the diesel engine and the power distribution is located where the tank would be. A transformer supplies various voltages for the electric control components. The engine requires a full 690 volts, while 400 volts are required for air conditioning and heating. In addition, a 230 V socket provides the option of plugging in additional attachment parts on site, such as percussion tools. The on-board controls require 24 volts as usual.

    Starting with the transfer case, the structure of the eBG remains the same. The hydraulic system, control elements and software design are implemented in the established, conventional manner. The operator does not need to adapt because operating the equipment is the same as for all other Bauer BGs. The advantages of Bauer’s award-winning Energy Efficient Power (EEP) system are also fully available for the electrified eBG. The EEP system has been setting new standards for years now, especially in terms of emissions and diesel consumption. This concept also includes demand-specific, dynamic control of cooler speed and diesel engine speed as well as outstanding hydraulic efficiency thanks to large-scale hydraulic components. Another highlight is the operating method of the main winch: The EEP winch concept makes it possible to recover energy during retraction into the bore hole.

    Cable guidance for a secure power supply poses a particular challenge. Once again, the idea comes from deep drilling technology: The solution is a power loop, a thick hose with a firm protective sheath inside of which a total of seven cables are laid.

    At BAU ERLEBEN, the first eBG with a trailing cable is being presented. In this configuration, the equipment is primarily suited for soil mixing techniques where it operates in the same location for a considerable period of time. A model for Kelly drilling will be presented from mid-August. This machine needs to be able to move and rotate for alternating drilling and emptying operations. For that reason, this electric BG model is equipped with a patented cable guidance arm on the machine. “All in all, cable guidance will continue to pose certain challenges because every project has different requirements, and the solutions will be as diverse as the projects themselves,” remarks Christian Heinecker.

    The eBG 33 is a novelty on the market in this form and capacity. “Development was possible due to close collaboration with our customers and above all due to the enormous dedication of our project team – we cannot thank them enough,” emphasizes Christian Heinecker. The team at Bauer Maschinen is thrilled that, with the eBG, one of the main pieces of equipment for specialist foundation engineering can now be operated completely CO2-free on site. The eBG can execute various methods for the construction of excavation pit walls as well as drilling large-diameter foundation piles. Even the execution of cut-off bases is conceivable.

    “During project preparation, the total initial expenditure is higher, but the customer can reduce overall operating costs thanks to the highly-efficient electric drive system,” summarizes Christian Heinecker. In addition, the total carbon footprint of a project is improved thanks to the CO2-optimized electric drive system as well as the option of using CO2-optimized construction methods. The implementation of many environmental initiatives and new regulations is thereby supported sustainably and with a view to the future.

    Further informations:
    BAUER AG
    www.bauer.de

  • Testing phase: Bauer Spezialtiefbau constructs cut-off wall elements in geothermally active ground for the first time as part of gold mine expansion

    One of the largest gold deposits in the world is located on the volcanic island of Niolam, the main island in the Lihir archipelago of Papua New Guinea. The mine was discovered in 1982 and the sought-after precious metal has been extracted in open-cast mines for nearly 25 years – now reaching a depth of up to roughly 300 m below sea level. For a planned expansion of the mine, an impermeable protective wall is required around the new extraction area because of its close vicinity to the Pacific Ocean.

    According to the plans, a 1.8 km long cut-off wall will be constructed as part of a seepage barrier structure and will advance into the geothermally active foundation with temperatures of up to approximately 150 °C at a depth of 60 m. This seepage barrier has two primary functions: Sealing off the new extraction area or open pit against ocean and ground water ingress by the cut-off wall and protecting the mine from immediate inrush of water to the open pit in the event of an extreme earthquake, causing liquefaction of foundation sediments and failure of the cut-off wall.

    Due to the unique location of the mine in a geothermally active Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea, BAUER Engineering PNG Ltd., a subsidiary of BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH, Schrobenhausen/Germany, was commissioned by the owner Lihir Gold Ltd., a member of the Newcrest Mining Group, in collaboration with Klohn Crippen Berger (KCB) – Newcrest’s seepage barrier cut-off wall design consultant – to execute two test cut-off wall elements with three diaphragm wall panels per element up to a depth of 55 m below the ground surface (Figure 1). “For the first time in the history of diaphragm wall construction, cut-off wall elements are being constructed in geothermally active foundation conditions with ground temperatures between 120 and 150 °C,” explains Gebhard Dausch, Project Manager at BAUER Engineering PNG Ltd. “Standard equipment combined with a unique slurry circulation system cooled by sea water was used for the work – without customization or special technical protection of the Bauer equipment against the unprecedented high temperatures within the foundation.”

    The work included the construction of a total of six diaphragm wall panels in two cut-off wall elements. All six panels were constructed through approximately 30 to 35 m of loose respective blasted mine waste rock fill consisting of fine and course soil, gravels, cobbles and boulders up to 2 to 3 m in diameter, underlain by 15 to 20 m of marine sediments consisting of silt and sand as well as 5 to 10 m of highly altered – by high temperatures – of volcanic rock.

    Five panels were keyed into the volcanic soil strata at a depth of 55 m below the ground surface and one panel reached a depth of 60 m. To determine the temperature and electrical resistance in the concrete, reinforcement cages with temperature sensors and multi-ring electrodes were lifted into the cut-off wall elements. A grouted body was also constructed around the diaphragm wall by means of pre-treatment grouting to prevent two slurry loss and trench collapse of the panels, and a plastic concrete specified by KCB with a high temperature resistance was used. A BAUER MC 128 duty-cycle crane with BC 30 cutter unit, an MC 96 duty-cycle crane with grab unit and a -BAUER BG 45 drilling rig with double-walled casing are being used for this work. During the diaphragm wall works, a special cooling unit developed for oil drilling is used along with the usual equipment. The heated bentonite flows through this mud cooler, thereby cooling back down to ambient temperature.

    The work process speaks for itself: The hot soil respective rock cuttings are taken up into the cutter box then conveyed together with the bentonite suspension to the desanding plant, so that the bentonite suspension provides both cooling and insulation. Thanks to the addition of fresh bentonite in the trench, the slurry flowing down to the cutter cools the diaphragm wall panel. Even after reaching the final depth, the constructed diaphragm wall panel only heats up very slowly, making it possible to carry out installation of the reinforcement cage and the subsequent concreting works without significant risk for the employees.

    Work by BAUER Engineering PNG Ltd. began in September 2020 and concluded in April 2021.

    Further information:
    BAUER AG
    www.bauer.de

  • Red Dog Mine Alaska: Ground improvement in permafrost

    Fig. 1. Around 170 km north of the Arctic Circle, BAUER Foundation Corp. carried out field tests using the jet grouting and Cutter Soil Mixing methods.Photo: BAUER

    Red Dog Mine, one of the world’s largest zinc mines, is located in the north-west of Alaska, around 170 km north of the Arctic Circle and nearly 1,000 km to the north-west of Anchorage. The mine has been operating since the late 1980s with around 10 % of the world’s zinc extracted here in open-cast mining.

    Its location in the Arctic Circle region means that the entire mine is in a geological permafrost area that keeps the ground permanently and completely frozen below a certain depth. There is an active zone near the surface that thaws during the summer and refreezes during winter. Based on an evaluation of the permafrost and soil on the site, ground improvements were identified as a prudent measure to counteract the effects of potential melting permafrost. To this end, BAUER Foundation Corp. was tasked by Teck with carrying out field tests using the jet grouting and Cutter Soil Mixing (CSM) methods (Figure 1).

    “The trials included detailed data capture and strict quality controls in close collaboration with Teck, the project owner, and other geotechnical consulting engineers,” explains Alejandro de la Rosa Knecht, Project Manager with Bauer Foundation. “Trials were carried out from August to December 2019, which ultimately identified the CSM method as the most suitable choice for the main scope of this project.” The CSM method combines features of the diaphragm wall technique and the mixed-in-place ground improvement method (MIP). The soil is broken up using a cutter, then rearranged and mixed with an aggregate. The trials for the Red Dog Mine also determined the extent to which existing subsoil was to be replaced with suitable filler material to facilitate later mixing.

    In 2020, during the period from July to November, 50 % of the pre-drilling was completed as well as 30 % of the CSM. In addition, BAUER Foundation Corp. was tasked with the construction of a secant pile wall as an extension to an existing slurry wall. To achieve this, the required pile wall was integrated into the existing slurry wall and the underlying rock using primary and secondary piles. In all, 93 secant piles were constructed. A multi-purpose BAUER BG 30 drilling rig with special Arctic equipment along with various drilling tool and mixer sets were used for the execution of all the works.

    One of the main challenges was the mobilization of equipment in the limited time provided by the schedule. However, the required special equipment was mobilized in record time.

    Some equipment was transported by plane and then by ship from Seattle Harbor across the Bering Sea to a dock just over 80 km from the mine. Other equipment was transported via Hercules aircraft from Anchorage airport to the airport on the mine site. This logistical success was made possible by close collaboration with various Bauer subsidiaries and Teck. “The remote and isolated location, the long deployment times and accommodation in camps pose additional challenges, as do the extreme Arctic climate conditions, precautionary measures associated with the corona pandemic and the specific safety requirements of the mining industry,” says de la Rosa Knecht.

    Despite all these challenges, the Bauer and client teams were able to successfully conclude trial work between August and December 2019 and the first phase of production activities between July and November 2020. The final production phase which includes CSM and demobilization was completed by June 2021.

    Further information:
    BAUER AG
    www.bauer.de

  • World record: Bauer trench cutter technology reached 228 m

    On 17th June 2019, BAUER Maschinen GmbH, Schrobenhausen/Germany, together with a joint venture partner successfully completed the first 228 m cutter bulk sample on FalCon project in Canada. This depth has never been reached by a trench cutter in any commercial application worldwide before and proves that Bauer cutter technology cannot only be used in specialist foundation engineering, but is also suitable for the exploration and mining industry. The FalCon project of Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (Rio Tinto) and Star Diamond Corporation aims to prove the commercial viability of the Fort a la Corne kimberlite fields in Saskatchewan in Canada. Due to the low grade of the kimberlites, Rio Tinto decided to use Bauer trench cutter technology to provide large-volume, high quality kimberlite samples for the final evaluation of the project in regards to diamond content and recovered diamond quality.

    A BAUER BC 50 cutter on a BAUER MC 128 duty-cycle crane is used for bulk sampling to a maximum depth of 250 m (Figure 1). In addition to the cutter and the base carrier, BAUER Maschinen GmbH supplied a BE 550 desanding plant and other accessories from its branch BAUER MAT Slurry Handling Systems. The equipment was delivered to site on time and tested in September 2018. After a long winter break operation started end of May 2019. The kimberlite is washed and bagged into bulk bags for further evaluation in multiple steps by the experts of Rio Tinto. The kimberlite on the FalCon project is covered by approximately 120 m of overburden which poses a significant additional challenge to the project.

    Bauer together with its local joint venture partner, Nuna Logistics Ltd. from Edmonton, has now achieved a milestone and successfully completed the first cutter bulk sample to a depth of 228 m. “Groundbreaking, in more ways than one, this is a significant milestone in using proven technology for a very different application. For us it means that we will be able to make important exploration decisions on what has been, one of the most challenging diamond evaluation projects in the industry. We look forward to continuing working with Bauer to embed this technology and other new innovations in our programme,” says Gary Hodgkinson, Project Director at FalCon.

    Under the present contract Bauer will execute several more bulk samples in 2019 on the FalCon project with the option to be extended into 2020.

    Further information:
    Bauer GmbH
    www.bauer.de

  • Rosshaupten dam: Start of renovation work

    Located in the idyllic Koenigs-winkel region between Fuessen, Pfronten and Schwangau in South Germany, the Forggensee lake stretches over an area of about 15.2 km2. It is Bavaria’s fifth largest lake and Germany’s largest water reservoir by surface area. The reservoir through which the River Lech flows generates electricity and provides flood protection from the water produced from melting snow in the Alps. Completed in the 1950s, the Rosshaupten barrage forms the northern dam of the lake and at the same time provides the inflow for the hydroelectric power plant, generating 45 MW of hydroelectric power from a drop height of 35.4 m.

    To prepare the power plant and thus the flood protection for the future, work commenced in May 2018 to improve the dam’s watertightness. For this reason, the power plant operator Uniper Kraftwerke GmbH commissioned BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH, Schrobenhausen/Germany, to construct a diaphragm wall of 13,500 m2 to seal the dam (Figure 1). Special challenges for this project: the diaphragm wall can only be constructed from the 11 m wide, very narrow dam crest and is not located in the middle of the dam, but unfavorably offset on the side of the dam crest. In order to be able to carry out the order despite the difficult parameters, the construction of the diaphragm wall will be carried out with the help of an HDS-T turnable hose drum system from Bauer.

    The 1 m wide and 70 m deep diaphragm wall is being constructed in two stages. First the upper 40 m of the dam body will be excavated using a DHG diaphragm wall grab on a BAUER MC 64 duty-cycle crane. The remaining 30 m below the actual dam fill will be removed using a cutter BC 40.2 on a MC 96 duty-cycle crane, because “the natural local bedrock consists of many and often very thin layers of clay stone, marl clay and sandstone.

    Another special feature of the project is the guide wall for the execution of the diaphragm wall work. A Mixed-in-Place wall approximately 550 m wide and 8 m deep has already been installed this summer using cast-in-situ concrete casing to ensure optimal guidance of the machines during work. The work on the diaphragm wall by Bauer will also be carried out seven days a week, in day and night shifts, i. e. 24 h/d, and should be completed in spring 2019.

     

    Further information:

    BAUER AG

    www.bauer.de

  • BAUER Technologies Ltd. contracted to work on Woodsmith Mine

    In North Yorkshire, one of the UK’s deepest underground mines is being constructed by Sirius Minerals Plc over the next five years. The mine will extract polyhalite, a high-quality organic fertiliser consisting of the minerals calcium, magnesium, sulphur and potassium. The project is unique because all mining and transportation operations will take place completely underground, once the Woodsmith Mine is completed. This means that polyhalite can be extracted with minimal impact on the region’s tourism and the North York Moors National Park.

    As part of the 2.5 bn € project, BAUER Technologies Ltd., a subsidiary of BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH, Schrobenhausen/Germany, has been contracted to build circular diaphragm wall shafts between 60 and 120 m deep (Figure 1). Construction of the diaphragm wall for the service shaft began in December 2017. Among other equipment, three BAUER BC 40 cutters on MC 96 and MC 128 duty-cycle cranes (Figure 2), and three complex BE 500 and BE 550 desanding plants from BAUER MAT Slurry Handling Systems are being used in the project. The bentonite suspension is enriched with a specially developed polymer-based additive to minimize losses into the fractured and porous strata.

    Fig. 2. Among other equipment, three BAUER BC 40 cutters on MC 96 and MC 128 duty-cycle cranes are being used in the project. // Bild 2. U. a. kommen drei BAUER BC 40 Fräsen auf MC 96 und MC 128 Seilbaggern zum Einsatz.. Photo/Foto: BAUER

    Different measurement methods are being combined to produce a clear 3D model of the diaphragm walling works using Building Information Modeling (BIM). This will ensure that the required maximum vertical deviation of 200 mm in 120 m is not exceeded. Once Bauer Technologies has completed the diaphragm shafts, in a follow on operation the production and service shafts will be sunk to a final depth of 1,500 m by a mining company.

    Bauer Technologies has made a name for itself in the UK, thanks to the success several extremely complex and technically challenging projects has been involved in. These include specialist foundation engineering works for the redevelopment of the Battersea Power Station in London and work for the important Crossrail infrastructure project.

    Further information:
    BAUER AG
    www.bauer.de

  • Compact, flexible, and efficient: the new BAUER BG 15 H ValueLine

    Fig. 1. The new BAUER BG 15 H specifically fulfills the requirements of a functional and cost-effective machine in the small drilling rig segment. The completely redesigned and re-manufactured BT 50 base carrier includes an integrated service platform. // Bild 1. Die neue BAUER BG 15 H erfüllt speziell die Anforderungen an ein funktio­nelles sowie wirtschaftliches Gerät im kleinen Bohrgerätesegment. Das vollständig neu entwickelte und gefertigte Grundgerät BT 50 verfügt über eine integrierte Serviceplattform. Photo/Foto: BAUER

    With the completely redesigned BAUER BG 15 H (Figure 1), Bauer Maschinen GmbH, Schrobenhausen/Germany, is breaking new ground in the ValueLine. This state-of-the-art innovation specifically fulfills the requirements of a functional and cost-effective machine in the small drilling rig segment and also scores with extremely compact transport dimensions. Increased efficiency, increased mobility, increased flexibility, increased comfort – the BAUER BG 15 H is a clear statement of functionality and, at the same time, offers all the advantages needed to face the challenges of small construction sites.

    With the new generation of drilling rigs, Bauer also continues to rely on the 186 kW Caterpillar diesel engines for strong performance and low fuel consumption. The optimally adjusted hydraulic system has already proved itself in practical deployment with its “big-sister-rig” BAUER BG 26 and has a direct impact on fuel consumption. This provides the BG 15 H with high levels of efficiency during daily drilling operations. A potential drilling depth of up to 21 m in single-layer winch operation significantly reduces wear. And even with up to 4 m long drill strings during cased Kelly drilling, the innovation from Bauer makes a giant leap forward in terms of efficiency.

    The BAUER BG 15 H is available in two different configurations and is, therefore, extremely flexible and versatile. The standard model, e. g., not only offers a drilling depth of 32 m but also the option of “drilling under the mast.” In addition, the “upgraded version” provides customers with the option of a drilling depth of up to 44 m and the CFA drilling process.

    An absolute highlight is the BT 50 base carrier, completely redesigned and re-manufactured by Bauer, which now offers a whole range of benefits even for small machines. The integrated service platform allows easy access to all maintenance and service points in the uppercarriage and, at the same time, meets the highest standards in terms of occupational safety. Combined with a transport width of just 2.5 m, this system is unique throughout the world.

    Other key areas of redesign focus on operator comfort. Thanks to the new operating concept, all essential work functions can be controlled via joystick. Displays, operational controls and the air-sprung operator seat form an ergonomic unit. But the BG 15 H also brings a new level of comfort to servicing. A deep center tunnel guarantees a transport height of just 3.3 m and also serves as a service tunnel. This means that all maintenance and service points can be accessed conveniently from both sides.

    Further information:
    BAUER AG
    www.bauer.de

  • Moving forward hand in hand: MAT Mischanlagentechnik operates now under the name BAUER MAT Slurry Handling Systems

    MAT Mischanlagentechnik GmbH, Immenstadt/Germany, has been delivering state-of-the-art mixing and separation technology for over 25 years. Since 1st April 2018 the branch office of BAUER Maschinen GmbH, Schrobenhausen/Germany, has been operating under the new name BAUER MAT Slurry Handling Systems, underscoring its affiliation with the international BAUER Group.

    “We are now merging even more closely with the Group, and this will also be reflected in our name. We are repositioning ourselves, and we’re doing it together with Bauer,” says Alexander Konz, branch manager at MAT. With the new name, the company will take the next step in its future strategy. This will include strong growth in the international markets as well as significant expansion of the company’s tunneling business.

    In addition, BAUER MAT Slurry Handling Systems plans to further expand its core business of developing and manufacturing state-of-the-art mixing and separation equipment for challenging specialist foundation engineering and tunneling projects (Figure 1). By doing this and expanding the sales and service network, the company will be in an even better position to tap the full potential of local markets in the future, says Konz. “As a global player, Bauer has production and sales locations in numerous countries around the world. I’m confident that both our customers and employees will benefit further from our increased cooperation,” he says.

    Fig. 2. New branch logo. // Bild 2. Neues Niederlassungslogo. Source/Quelle: BAUER

    Outwardly, the most visible change will come in the form of a new logo (Figure 2). Also, the company’s web address changed to www.bauer-mat.de (BAUER/Si.)

  • Bauer BC 50 cutter for 250 m deep diamond exploration in Canada

    Whether for large-scale infrastructure projects such as metro stations, or for the sealing and strengthening of large dams, Bauer cutters are used around the world for complex specialist foundation engineering projects. In Saskatchewan/Canada a Bauer cutter will soon be used for a special task as part of diamond exploration – and will set a new depth record there. The BAUER BC 50 cutter on a MC 128 duty-cycle crane, equipped with the HDS 250 hose drum system, will be the first cutter in the world that will cut to a depth of 250 m for commercial purpose (Figure 1). These depths have never been reached before in any active project.

    Bauer together with their local joint-venture partner, Nuna Logistics Ltd., will aid Rio Tinto with exploration to research for diamonds in the kimberlite pipes. By using the cutter, large volumes can be excavated from great depths, which then allows for better assessment of the diamond content and quality of the deposits.

    In addition to the cutter and the base carrier, BAUER Maschinen GmbH, Schrobenhausen/Germany, will supply BE-550 desanding equipment from its branch BAUER MAT Slurry Handling Systems and other accessories. Bauer will build and deliver the equipment by mid-2018 – work is planned to begin within the year. The execution of several individual holes that are currently planned will continue into 2019. If the expectations of Rio Tinto are fulfilled by the deposits and technology, then the scope of the work could significantly expand.

    Further information/Weitere Informationen:
    BAUER AG
    www.bauer.de

Back to top button