Terex® RT100 Rough Terrain crane in the Minas Rio mine
A Terex® RT100 Rough Terrain crane is currently
working at the new Anglo American-owned Minas-Rio mine in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil (Fig. 1). The operation is one of the largest iron ore mines in the world producing some of the highest quality pellet feed ore in the market. The ore has very little alumina and silica and high iron content.
About 26.5 million t of ore from this mine will be exported in 2013 primarily through a 525 km long slurry pipeline to the port of Açu in the state of Rio de Janeiro. However, the mine has the potential of producing up to 80 million tonnes per year and has certified reserves of 4.6 billion t. Purchased in 2008, work at the mine started at the end of 2010 when owner Anglo American was given the go-ahead by the Brazilian government. Production at the mine started in 2012 and currently is undergoing a very large infrastructure expansion plan that involves new office, general storage and processing buildings. To assist in the construction of these, São Paulo-based Montcalm Montagens Industriais, brought their Terex® RT100 Rough Terrain crane to help erect the structural steelwork around the mine for the new site buildings.
“We were looking for a Rough Terrain crane because of the mobility needed within the huge jobsite but it also must have the ability to work in confined spaces,” said Paulo Simonsen, Montcalm operations director. “The RT100 fitted the bill perfectly because its load charts and reach was better than any of its direct competitors. When erecting the structural steel, the RT100 is often lifting 12 t at a 12 m radius using a 22.5 m main boom. Its ability to work very smoothly without jerky movements, its all-wheel steer and excellent maneuverability, all help ensure the success of each lift. Quick travel is essential as all the lifting locations are distant from each other (about 40 minutes) and all have difficult access.” Simonsen added.
Montcalm brought the Terex® RT100 Rough Terrain crane on site at the end of 2012, and is expected to work on site until end 2013. The Terex® RT100 Rough Terrain crane combines a long boom, high lift capacity and compact design to easily handle a wide range of heavy jobs, even in confined areas (Fig. 2). Providing outstanding lifting capacity, the RT100 offers a maximum capacity of 90 metric t (100 US tons). Its six-section boom can be extended up to a maximum length of 53 m (174 feet), with a maximum tip height of 55.8 m (183 feet). Two synchronized telescoping modes provide added functionality. The crane’s powerful engine delivers 194 kW at 2200 rpm and is in full compliance with European directive 2006/24 Step 3b. Power steering easily controls the unit and can be switched to any one of three steering modes – two wheels, four wheels or crab steering. A 100 US ton RT100 version that is rated per ASME B30.5 standard is also available.
