With mining depths increasing and safety regulations tightening worldwide, engineering solutions must not only be robust but also innovative. SIEMAG TECBERG Australia is meeting these challenges head-on, setting new benchmarks for underground mining safety and efficiency. From advanced hoisting systems to comprehensive mining solutions, the company is setting new benchmarks in the industry.

The Australian Engineering Advantage

While Australia is often recognised for its vast open-cut mines, its underground engineering capabilities are equally impressive. SIEMAG TECBERG Australia has grown from a regional player into a global force within the SIEMAG TECBERG family, extending its influence beyond Australia to mining projects in Africa, China, Canada, and Mongolia. More than just an OEM, the Australian team is exporting world-class engineering solutions, improving efficiency and safety in mines across the world.

Australia’s mining industry operates under some of the world’s most stringent safety regulations, creating an environment where excellence isn’t optional—it’s mandatory. This regulatory rigor has positioned Australian engineers as global leaders in safety and materials handling solutions, with SIEMAG TECBERG Australia leveraging this advantage to become “uniquely known for their high SIL-rated products which guarantee highest safety standards globally.”

For those unfamiliar with the terminology, SIL (Safety Integrity Level) ratings represent the relative risk-reduction provided by a safety function. The higher the SIL level, the better the system is at preventing dangerous failures. In the context of underground mining, where human lives and critical infrastructure are at stake, these ratings aren’t just technical specifications—they’re vital assurances. In mining, where a single failure can be catastrophic, SIEMAG TECBERG’s SIL-rated systems provide peace of mind by significantly reducing the risk of unsafe equipment failures.

There is a trend towards more stringent safety requirements globally, particularly in for independently verified SIL systems. SIEMAG TECBERG Australia’s expertise and on the ground experience in implementing customised SIL solutions have led to our input in projects globally. From shaft communication systems to specialised monitoring devices engineered to operate reliably in harsh underground environments, SIEMAG TECBERG Australia has pioneered numerous mine safety innovations that set new standards for the industry.

This safety-first approach aligns perfectly with the company’s broader service philosophy, extending far beyond equipment installation to encompass the entire lifecycle of mining operations, as demonstrated in their work at one of Australia’s most challenging mining operations.

Proving Ground: The CSA Cobar Mine Project

Perhaps no project better illustrates SIEMAG TECBERG Australia’s capabilities than their work at the CSA Cobar Mine in New South Wales. As one of Australia’s deepest copper mines, CSA Cobar presented unique engineering challenges that required innovative solutions.

Completed in 2017, this landmark project involved the complete “supply, installation and commissioning of a Shaft Materials Handling System” with multiple integrated components working in perfect harmony. The system’s complexity is impressive, encompassing both the surface, underground materials handling systems, and vertical hoisting, delivering an integrated system. Included in this are a ground mounted winder, headframe, sheave, conveyances, shaft communications, a surge bin for material storage and flow regulation, three conveyor systems, a transfer tower for directing material flow, a reclaim hopper system, and an underground loading station for efficient material transfer.

This integrated solution demonstrates SIEMAG TECBERG Australia’s ability to address the full vertical transportation requirements of an underground mining operation, from the loading point below ground to the surface processing facilities. The varying conveyor lengths are a custom-designed system meticulously adapted to the specific mine geometry and operational requirements.

The successful implementation of this system required significant engineering expertise to integrate all components into a seamlessly functioning whole. Completed when the company was still operating under its former name, Winder Controls Australia, the project represents a continuity of expertise and capabilities that has carried through the company’s evolution in the Australian market.

Further, as a NSW based hoisting system, stringent regulatory requirements had to be met, not just for the winder but for the system as a whole. Having SIEMAG TECBERG Australia manage all these interfaces meant that the usual challenges of registering a system built in piecemeal fashion were absent and the system was able to commence production without delay.

The CSA Cobar Mine project serves as a compelling case study of how Australian mining know-how, combined with SIEMAG TECBERG’s global resources, delivers exceptional results in even the most challenging underground environments.

Global Projects: Expanding SIEMAG TECBERG’s Reach

China: Sishanling Iron Ore Mine

When China’s Jianlong Group planned to develop the massive Sishanling iron ore mine in Liaoning Province, they initially envisioned three production shafts to achieve a 15 Mt/y extraction rate. After consultation with SIEMAG TECBERG’s engineering team, the concept was optimised to just two production shafts plus a service shaft—a redesign that saved millions in construction costs while maintaining the targeted production capacity.

The project’s scale is staggering: proven reserves of 2,500 Mt with an average iron content of approximately 31%, and a long-term capacity target of 30 Mt/y. SIEMAG TECBERG’s Tianjin subsidiary secured the contract in early 2017 after a five-year engagement with Benxi Longxin Mining Co. Ltd., with engineers contributing extensively to the conceptual design phase and technical specifications.

The installation includes a double-skip production system utilizing a 6.75 m, six-rope Koepe winder, alongside a cage counterweight system for personnel and machine transport and a smaller system for emergencies. This pragmatic efficiency characterizes SIEMAG TECBERG’s approach to complex mining challenges and has significantly impacted China’s iron ore industry through cost savings and enhanced operational performance.

South Africa: Ultra-Deep Gold Mining

Africa’s ultra-deep mining operations provide the perfect testing ground for pushing mining technology to its limits. SIEMAG TECBERG completed the installation of its “largest integrated set of Koepe multi-rope production hoists at Palabora in Africa,” addressing unique challenges related to handling large compartment loads.

Most impressively, the company’s work in South Africa’s gold mining industry involved installing hoisting systems designed for single-wind depths of 3,000 meters—more than 3 and a half times the height of the Burj Khalifa. With compartment loads of 102 metric tonnes, these systems represent engineering at the extreme edge of what’s technically possible.

When designing for those depths, there’s no room for error. The safety calculations, material specifications, and redundancy systems must be perfect. This is where SIEMAG TECBERG Australia’s robust safety protocols and engineering expertise become invaluable, creating solutions that function reliably at depths most engineers would consider prohibitive.

Canada: Mosaic Potash Expansion

SIEMAG TECBERG’s expansion into the North American market is exemplified by their partnership on a major project for Mosaic Potash at the Esterhazy K3 mine expansion in Saskatchewan, Canada. This $2.3 billion investment aimed to increase annual potash production to 6.4 million mt/y, with SIEMAG TECBERG contracted to supply and install a complete turnkey package of service and production mine hoists.

The equipment specifications showcase the company’s manufacturing capabilities: a 6-m Koepe hoist, a 4-m Blair hoist, and comprehensive electrical and safety systems. This massive installation demonstrates the company’s ability to scale its technology for major mining operations while maintaining its commitment to safety and efficiency.

Mongolia: Oyu Tolgoi Rope Handling Innovation

Innovation often emerges from addressing specific operational challenges. When SIEMAG TECBERG was contracted to develop specialised equipment for Mongolia’s Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, the result was a technological marvel: “the world’s largest specialised machines for rope handling” that included mobile friction winches and clamping and lifting devices specifically designed for safe and efficient rope handling on two production shafts.

The specifications are impressive: an automotive six-axle friction winch with a total weight of 160 metric tonnes, speed range of 0-12 m/min, and drive power of 500 kW, engineered for the simultaneous roping-up of up to six ropes with a traction force of 1,850 kN.

Complementing this, the clamping and lifting device can manipulate six ropes simultaneously with a traction force of up to 2,500 kN, featuring a 1,600 mm stroke and operating at a rope speed of 1 m/min. These innovations deliver significant operational benefits, including substantial time savings during initial installation and subsequent rope changes while maintaining stringent safety standards—perfectly exemplifying how SIEMAG TECBERG’s approach contributes to global mining innovation.

Beyond Equipment: SIEMAG TECBERG’s Service-Driven Approach

Any mining engineer worth their salt knows that installing equipment is just the beginning. The ongoing maintenance, testing, and optimisation determines a mine’s long-term success and safety profile.

SIEMAG TECBERG has developed extensive service methodologies that support the entire lifecycle of mining operations, with the Australian team often contributing to the development of these protocols. These services include plant-specific service concepts for recurring commissioning and maintenance tasks, specialised rope handling procedures, and support with official approvals and inspections.

The services are flexible—they can be implemented by the operator’s personnel or handled directly by trained SIEMAG TECBERG personnel. Various modules are even offered as remote services, creating ideal conditions for maintaining operational readiness through a combination of local expertise and global support.

Mining equipment isn’t like typical machinery that can be run until failure. When dealing with systems that transport people hundreds of meters underground, predictive maintenance isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about safety. The company conducts comprehensive annual inspections of plant components, including functional and safety testing based on detailed process descriptions and checklists. Results are summarized in comprehensive reports containing specific recommendations for action—a systematic approach to safety and risk management that has become a hallmark of modern mining practices.

The Future of Mining: Australian Expertise Leading Global Change

As mining operations face increasing pressure to improve efficiency, sustainability, and safety performance, SIEMAG TECBERG Australia’s engineers are well-positioned to lead the way in developing solutions that meet these demands. The growing demand for Australian engineering expertise in mining safety and infrastructure reflects the country’s reputation for excellence in this specialised field.

The company’s demonstrated ability to innovate in response to specific operational challenges indicates a forward-looking approach that will likely continue to influence mining practices globally. From the CSA Cobar project in Australia to the Sishanling iron ore project in China, deep gold mining in South Africa, and potash production in Canada, SIEMAG TECBERG has proven its ability to tackle diverse mining challenges across multiple continents.

As SIEMAG TECBERG continues to secure projects around the world, the contribution of their Australian subsidiary will undoubtedly remain a key factor in their ongoing success, bringing specialised expertise in safety systems and lifecycle management to bear on the industry’s most complex challenges. Through continued innovation and global collaboration, SIEMAG TECBERG Australia is not just participating in the future of underground mining—they’re actively shaping it, reinforcing Australia’s position as a leader in underground mining engineering excellence.

As the industry embraces automation and deeper mining operations, SIEMAG TECBERG Australia remains at the forefront of innovation, We welcome collaboration with mine operators seeking cutting-edge solutions tailored to their specific challenges.