Underground mining contractor PYBAR Mining Services will showcase its new raise bore rig, the second largest raise bore in Australia, at AIMEX in Sydney from September 1-4.

The Herrenknecht RBR600-VF raise bore arrived at PYBAR’s headquarters in Orange, New South Wales, in March 2015. The rig significantly increases the company’s raise bore capability and provides underground mining operations with access to one of the fastest, safest and most technologically advanced large capacity raise bore rigs on the market.

The majority of raise bore rigs in Australia have a maximum diameter potential of six metres or less. The RBR600-VF, developed by German rig manufacturer Herrenknecht, has the capacity to construct shafts up to eight metres in diameter - making it one of only two raise bore rigs in Australia with greater than six metre capacity - and to depths of 1200 metres. It is also the only rig of its size in Australia which can be easily deployed underground.

With the industry increasingly seeking non-entry mining solutions, reaming shafts with the RBR600-VF is safer, less labour intensive and, depending on the application, more cost effective than conventional shaft sinking.

Further, the rig is one of the most efficient on the market due to its variable frequency drive. Whether utilizing mains power or generators, its power consumption will be half of that of an equivalent capacity machine with hydraulic drive, potentially saving clients thousands of dollars on power bills.

PYBAR will be exhibiting its Herrenknecht RBR600-VF raise bore at Stand 0109.

PYBAR Mining Services is a nationwide provider with core competencies in metalliferous underground hard rock mining. Founded in 1993, PYBAR says its success to date is based on safe, rapid underground infrastructure development and consistent reliable production, delivering on projects from large established mining operations to greenfield developments.

Headquartered in Orange, and privately owned, the PYBAR Group has established infrastructure and operations in NSW, Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. With more than 800 employees, PYBAR has a strong solutions-based culture backed by long-standing operational teams, hands-on and experienced senior management and leading systems in both safety and performance reporting.