The German underground vehicle specialist, Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik GmbH, has had a very busy 12 months. Managing Director Franz-Josef Paus, who manages the family business together with his brother Wolfgang, reports on some of the most important developments from 2019 on for the mining vehicle division of Paus.

“Given the situation in the world markets with all its uncertainties, we are satisfied with the year passed,” he said. “We have achieved all sales targets, both in total numbers and in regional breakdown, and we are confident that the business will stay as is or even slightly get better.

“After the boom years about 8-10 years ago, we now see that the time has come for equipment to be replaced soon in all markets. Especially since the gold price is getting higher, this should help gold mines to invest. Many of these mines are operated as ‘Narrow Vein Mining’ – our range of specialized small underground machines such as the PFL loader or the Minca 5.1 are ideal for this purpose.”

Flexible Vehicle Platform

Paus’ latest product launch was the electrically driven MinCa 5.1 E passenger vehicle which had its debut at bauma 2019 in Munich. The company has two universal vehicles in its portfolio – the MinCa 5.1 and MinCa 18A – that can be individually configured to suit mine transport requirements. The MinCa 5.1 E is based on the MinCa 5.1, and Paus’ stated that the new model can meet the needs of tomorrow’s deep underground mines. The MinCa 5.1 E produces no exhaust emissions, thus reducing the burden on the ventilation equipment – and at the same time improving the conditions for the personnel who work underground.

The MinCa 5.1 E measures 4 m x 1.95 m and can carry a payload of approximately 1.2 t. These statistics make it well-suited for use in narrow vein mining or tunnel construction. Also, a 90-degree turn can be driven with a roadway width of only 2.9 metres. With the electric drive, no shifting operations are necessary, and the vehicle can reach a speed of up to 30 km/h on straight tracks.

The MinCa 5.1 E can be equipped as a passenger transporter for up to five people with space for equipment or as a repair vehicle. Special combinations of superstructures are also possible on request.

MinCa Series: Reliable, Sustainable, Field-Tested

The new MinCa 5.1 E is an addition to the MinCa 5.1 family. Its nickel-managan-cobalt-oxide (NMC) batteries and with the appropriate charging technology it can be charged to 80 per cent of its capacity in just half an hour. The battery pack is located at the rear of the vehicle. However, the capacity “under the hood” can be extended with a further 50 kWh. This gives the mines the opportunity to increase the MinCa 5.1 E to 100 kWh capacity, which can run an eight-hour shift even under the toughest conditions.

The 35 per cent gradeability is almost unmatched. With up to 25 km/h you can drive quickly from place to place. The speed of 20 km/h on ramps with 30 per cent gradient is impressive. Due to the high torque, ramps up to 35 per cent are no problem. With the optionally available onboard charger it is also possible to charge at any 3-phase AC connection.

Like all mining vehicles from Paus, the MinCa 5.1 E was specifically designed and built for use in underground mining. The thickness of the materials used are specially dimensioned for underground operation to ensure a long working life. Safety aspects such as the ROPS/FOPS driver’s cab are a given. Even the planetary rigid axles cannot be compared with adapted road vehicles – they are much more durable. The MinCa 5.1 E also features a four-wheel drive system to handle rough roads and inclined ramps up to 45 degrees.

“The MinCa 5.1 E has successfully passed all trials on and underground and is ready to go,” Franz-Josef Paus said. “Next up is the MinCa 18 and an LHD loader series. Just before the end of 2019, we commissioned a bigger batch of MinCa 5.1s to our long- time customer Norilsk Nickel. After trials with some pilot units earlier, we were happy to be able to deliver the new fleet.”

Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik, www.paus.de/en/index.html