Vesconite bearings in Jet Rig mobile miner.
Vesconite forms an
important part of the JetRig - a self-elevating walking platform used for mining
diamond bearing ore on the beaches and in the sea off the African coastline.
The JetRig acts as a deployer, carrier and platform for special mining operations where dry and submerged material (or ore) is mined. The machine weighs some 350 tonnes. When moving, can walk, side-step, turn on its own axis, and jack up and down. It has a primary screening plant on board to screen out excess water, as well as under and oversize material.
Vesconite forms the sliding bearing elements for the longitudinal, transverse and jackable legs, sliding movements, as well as for various bearings on the machine.
Vesconite was chosen for its proven ruggedness under adverse conditions, particularly in coastal marine applications; it allows for high bearing pressures at low speeds at a relatively low cost. Other medium to heavy equipment is being designed and built with extensive use of Vesconite for bearing surfaces.
Updated Sep 08 2005
