RMA Special Vehicles – South Africa – Mining Trucks, Ambulances, Security, Police Vehicles
BLOG
Underground Mining Vehicles
Revolutionising the Underground Mining Vehicle for Advanced Performance
A specialised underground mining vehicle plays a crucial role in the safe and efficient transportation of personnel, tools, and materials within subterranean mines. These vehicles are specially designed and modified to withstand the harsh conditions in which they operate, ensuring safety, durability, and operational efficiency.
Why Specialised Vehicles Are Necessary
The underground mining environment presents a range of challenges, including poor lighting, confined spaces, and rugged terrain. Standard vehicles are ill-equipped to handle these extreme conditions, making modifications essential. Specialised vehicles, such as the RMA Automotive underground mining vehicle, provide enhanced safety, reliability, and efficiency, ensuring uninterrupted operations while prioritising worker safety.
Key Modifications and Features
RMA Automotive South Africa has engineered an advanced underground mining vehicle based on the Ford Ranger Double Cab 4×4 XLT to meet the demanding needs of underground operations. The following key modifications enhance both functionality and safety:
- Emergency Braking System: A Spring Actuated; Hydraulic Release (SAHR) emergency braking system is integrated to provide exceptional braking capability. This system features an emergency stop button that, when activated, immediately cuts the engine and locks the wheels, ensuring rapid immobilisation in emergencies.
- Fire Suppression System: An Ansul Automatic Fire Suppression system is installed to rapidly deploy dry fire retardant in case of a fire, preventing potential damage and ensuring compliance with strict mine safety regulations.
- Kevlar Floor Protection: The vehicle’s floor is reinforced with 12-layer Kevlar boards to protect against sharp debris commonly found in mining environments, such as steel bolts and rock fragments.
- Enhanced Lighting and Electrical System: A dual battery system powers ten strategically positioned spotlights at the front and rear, significantly improving visibility in the dim underground environment, reducing accident risks, and improving operational efficiency.
- Customised Mining Package: Additional modifications include side steps for easier access, a wrap-around bull bar for added protection, reflective tape for enhanced visibility, heavy-duty seat covers for durability, a battery isolation switch for safety, and identification boards for regulatory compliance.
About RMA Automotive South Africa
RMA Automotive South Africa is a leading provider of specialised vehicle modifications. With over 15 years of experience and a state-of-the-art facility in Pretoria, we are dedicated to delivering cutting-edge mobility solutions tailored to the unique requirements of the African market.
We have also successfully supplied a fleet of modified vehicles to Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest mining corporations, meeting their stringent safety and performance standards. These vehicles have contributed to safer and more efficient underground transport operations, with high reliability and minimal downtime.
Contact Us
For more information on our underground mining vehicle modifications and to discuss how we can support your operations, contact RMA Automotive South Africa today.
