A Leader in Underground Mining Equipment

Amalgamated Mining, Inc.
Written by Leon Bracey

Underground mining requires singular equipment and special tools to excavate tunnels and locate precious minerals and metals. For a quarter-century now, Amalgamated Mining Equipment, Ltd. has provided the equipment customers need to perform these duties.
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Originally launched as a single company focused on rebuilding and refurbishing underground mining equipment, Amalgamated Mining Equipment, Ltd. (AME) has evolved into three distinctive corporations based out of Edmonton, Alberta.

AME began as a rebuilding and refurbishing venture in 1990. As demand for the equipment increased, the company saw the need to expand by buying new equipment from Caterpillar – the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment – and converting the machines into customized personal carriers.

In 1999, Amalgamated Mining, Inc. (AMI) was formed as a new company to focus on the sale and leasing of new and used mining equipment. Due to its relationship with Caterpillar, AMI added to its inventory, bringing in a full line of new equipment from Caterpillar in 2007. That same year, AME expanded its parts division, creating a third company named Amalgamated Mining Services (AMS). Together, these three companies provide the services customers need for their diverse underground mining operations.

Thanks to Amalgamated Mining’s relationships with Finning International, the world’s largest Caterpillar dealer covering Western Canada and Toromont CAT, a Caterpillar dealer in Ontario, Manitoba, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Eastern Labrador, AMI is able to obtain quality units for its end users and contractors. For example, AMI sells the R1300G underground loader, designed for high production, low cost-per-ton loading and tramming in underground mining applications, according to the company’s website, amalgamatedmining.com. Its compact design, agile performance, rugged construction and simplified maintenance profile guarantees maximum productivity, longevity, and low operating costs. Its 3306B engine has proven to be reliable and durable, delivering maximum loading and tramming performance in the most demanding mining applications. Complete system integration of the engine and transmission ensures fuel efficiency and smooth operation for the end user.

The AD30 underground articulated truck has a Cat C15 Engine that is US EPA Tier 3 and EU Stage III compliant. It boasts efficient fuel management for quick response, high productivity and exceptional service life. A new sculptured cylinder block provides greater strength and lighter weight, and the AD30 has a 58 percent torque rise for unequalled lugging force during acceleration and less down-shifting on grade. The AD30’s operator station is ergonomically designed for total machine control and for the operator’s comfort, productivity and safety, with all controls, levers, switches and gauges positioned to maximize productivity and minimize operator fatigue. The protective structure of the cab and frame contain a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) and Falling Objects Protective Structure (FOPS), mounted to the mainframe to isolate the operator from vibration for a more comfortable ride. An Optional Enclosed Cab is sound-suppressed, providing a quiet, secure and comfortable air-conditioned working environment with fresh, pressurized, temperature-controlled air circulation, explains the company. The suspension seat is ergonomic and fully adjustable, with thick cushions and wide, retractable seat belts for increased comfort. The steering column features tilt steering to provide a comfortable driving position, secure grip and greater control, while the Cat Electronic Monitoring System (Cat EMS) continuously provides critical machine data to keep the machine in peak performance during mining operations.

As with other Caterpillar equipment, the frame of the AD30 incorporates a box-section design with wide and stiff frame beams to handle the torque loads. The frame design decreases stress in the hitch area and optimizes suspension geometry, while materials and weld joints are matched to optimize the life of the structure. An articulating / oscillating hitch provides the truck with steering articulation while the oscillation ensures the truck maintains all-wheel ground contact even in rough terrain. Hardened steel pins, taper roller bearings and oscillating stops enable the rear frame to move independently from the front frame.

AMI also maintains a robust inventory of used equipment, ranging from man carriers and jumbo drills to new used buckets and boxes. Clients can also contact AMI for parts that may not be readily available, but can still be located by the skilled AMI team.

Amalgamated Mining Services, Ltd. is also an authorized distributor for a variety of manufacturers including Mitsubishi and Rockmore International. The company distributes rock drilling tools from Mitsubishi Materials, a specialist in such tools for more than 60 years. These rock tools are manufactured from wear resistant steel and in-house carbide inserts. AMS also carries a complete line of percussive drill bits, rods, couplings, and shanks for underground mining applications.

The company is also a distributor for Parts Headquarters (PHQ) Products, stocking old and new rebuilt S250 & S36 Stoper Drills, with all parts to support them. The S250 is designed to provide drillers ease of use and operation. All the S250’s controls are located at the backhead of the drill, and it also features push button control for quick leg retraction. The torque is sufficient to install mechanical rock bolts and also has water pressure that can be regulated automatically.

In addition, AMS serves as the exclusive distributor for GPM Eliminator Pumps in Northern and Western Canada. AMS sells their Horizontal, Extended Shaft, Submersible, and Vertical pumps for mining operations. The team also stocks caliper disc brakes from MICO, a designer and manufacturer of quality hydraulic components, controls and brake systems – primarily for off-road markets. Caliper disc brakes are used for emergency, primary, or secondary braking. As a distributor of Hasmar Diversco Inc., AMS also sells LED work lights for mining operations.

In terms of its own in-house manufacturing, AMS manufactures pins, bushings, and inserts to fit all machines. The team also provides custom machining, and manufactures a range of drivelines, universal joints and yokes to suit most models of equipment.

Clients, whether they are looking to enhance, develop, or redesign new pieces of equipment, can depend on the AMS team to help meet their needs. For example, one specialty of AMS is engine retrofitting; AMS offers Industrial Diesel engines from FPT Powertrain Technologies, and these engines feature some of the most advanced technological solutions available in the market today, such as multi-valve feeding systems, high pressure injection systems with electronic control (Common Rail and, for some versions, Electronic Unit Injector), efficient boosting systems with fixed or variable geometry turbochargers, and sophisticated systems for emissions control.

From refurbishing and rebuilding equipment to selling used and new equipment for its clients, Amalgamated Mining, Inc. offers a number of services for underground mining operations. For more information, go to www.amalgamatedmining.com.

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