Meet Your Match in Mining

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With a rich history in the mining sector since its local inception in 1966, SMC Corporation remains ever-committed to the evolving needs of this pertinent sector. We continue to invest in R&D to elevate our robust range of heavy-duty products, designed to withstand even the harshest of environments.   

This, in turn, has resulted in pneumatic systems capable of meeting stringent resource industry requirements like operation in wet, dusty, corrosive environments, continuous 24/7 operation and withstanding extreme pressures and temperatures.

Matching our products to our expertise is ultimately what sets us apart. Like most industries, mining has had its fair shares of ups and downs, however, what remains consistent is our investment and focus on the sector. Beyond simply spec’ing a product, our team feels confident enough to walk onto site and help come up with the correct, long-term solution. We understand that it’s an ongoing journey and we are in it for the long run. 

Another key differentiator is SMC’s investment in its local production capabilities and product availability. It’s about local engineering, local support. We are able to assemble actuators and control cabinets locally and to spec. We work closely with our customers to determine what they need and do our best to ensure that stock is readily available in case of emergencies or breakdowns. 

A sector as important as the mining industry could benefit greatly from pneumatics and automation. The extraction and processing involves very harsh and extreme working conditions; if one industry demands strong, reliable and quality products it’s this one.

One of SMC’s most prominent mining heroes would have to be its custom-built cabinets. These are essentially stainless steel boxes used to house a selection of valves and ports for mining applications, and they’re built to spec, on-site. 

Other solutions include a wide range of ‘solid solutions’ such as  large bore actuators, ISO cylinders and positioners.  

Looking to positioners, SMC’s comprehensive range comprises of electro-pneumatic positioners, pneumatic positioners and smart positioners - all available in both lever and rotary types. 

Other products for the sector include a pulse valve (valve for dust collection), a main line filter, tubing and fittings, pressure relief valves, pressure switches, 2 port valves, 5 port valves and more.

Here’s a great local success story, courtesy of SMC:

One of the world’s largest gold mining companies operating in Australia sought a means to improve air cylinder operation for the dart valves in their flotation cells.  They installed new air servo cylinder technology from SMC and achieved numerous benefits. Chief among them was an increase in product recovery.

This air servo cylinder series IN-777 has enabled the reduction and removal of pinch points, resulting in improved accuracy and safety. It has also yielded time saving during calibration and improved positioning, delivering increased froth velocity for the enhanced gold and copper recovery.

The optimised speed capability of the IN-777 means that it responds quickly to changes in process conditions, maintaining a constant froth velocity.

The series is designed for rugged mining applications in mineral processing, and bears IP67 rating (full protection against dust and water).

Looking ahead, SMC continues to innovate with the mining sector in mind, and is heavily focused on ensuring energy savings across all industries.