SORDMiner Explained
What is SORDMiner?
The name "SORD" is derived from the acronym "SSSORD" - Subterranean, Slurrying Screening, Sluicing, Operated Remotely Dredge. The full acronym lists in order the process steps employed in the mining process. The SORDMiner consists of two integral sections:
SORD Head
The SORD head is a self-sensing, self-propelled, remotely controlled, electro-hydraulically powered, wedge shaped, screening device and cutter head.
Shield
Shield protects the water, electrical and slurry lines (‘umbilicals') that connect the Head to the surface.
Shield acts like a continuously deployed inflatable tunnel that is pressurised with water to protect the umbilicals from material collapsing on it and causing ‘rock-lock'.
The Shield is made from lightweight, flexible, high strength, fabric that is drawn down from the surface, zipped together, deployed and inflated with water.
The SORD Head consists of tried, proven and "off the shelf" components assembled to create a unique mining head.
Shield is a unique solution and is the key to the SORD mining system's outreach in collapsing environments.
Together the SORD Head and Shield make up SORDMiner.