Cost overruns and not matching the designed throughput rates are a common thread for mining operations, especially when ore is sourced from underground.
Our concrete and shotcrete technologies contribute to efficient mine construction under a suite of climatic conditions. Sika concrete admixtures such as our Viscocrete® and Sigunit® technology stands up to the highest quality and HSE standards in operations all around the globe. Furthermore we offer a full product range.
1. Concrete Solutions for Mining
Reliable and Durable Concrete – Key to Any Mining Project
Sika offers a fully integrated product range when it comes to concrete solutions for mining projects. For decades, Sika is involved on the most challenging and largest mining projects on the globe. From self compacting concrete for efficient shaft linings to high strength road slabs, from durable mill foundations to easy pumpable concrete for head frame erection, we offer the products that solve nearly every concrete challenge.
Concrete for All Applications
With more than 100 years experience in concrete technology, we are in position to support you for every concrete application at your mine.
- Fast and efficient shaft linings using self compacting concrete
- Set retarders for long transportation routes
- Accelerators for rapid mine development
- Specialized slick line concrete
- High strength concrete for foundation slabs, runways and haulage roads
- Rheology modifiers for easy concrete pumping
Optimize Your Mix
Optimize the cost performance of the concrete mix by the use of Sika Viscocrete® technology.
- Sika is the go-to brand for high range water reducers and slump keeping admixtures to optimize the properties of your concrete
- Tailored solutions for the specific needs in mining
Remote Mining Projects
Unique and proven Sika solutions for remote mining projects including products designed for on site production to facilitate logistics and avoid shelf-life issues.
- Powder shotcrete accelerators for on site blending
- Sika flake technology for onsite production of concrete admixtures
- Sika Fiber® technology in order to reduce steel reinforcing of concrete structures
2. Shotcrete
Speed Up Cycle Times with Sika Shotcrete Technology
In cycle shotcreting is key for rapid mine development and fast cycle times in mines around the globe. We offer fully integrated solutions for wet and dry shotcrete including our Sigunit® P-10 AF powder accelerator for on site mixing a dedicated product for remote mining projects. In addition we offer an integrated range of shotcrete equipment for all applications.
Sika Sigunit® Technology - Mastering the Art of Shotcreting
For many years, the Sika Sigunit® shotcrete accelerators fortify underground structures across the globe. Dedicated to delivery high early strength shotcrete and adjusted to the specific cements in use, Sika is in position to help speed up your mine cycle times and to facilitate the shotcrete handling significantly.
Solving Logistical Challenges
Unique and proven Sika solutions for remote mining projects including products designed for on site production to facilitate logistics and avoid shelf-life issues.
- Powder shotcrete accelerators for on site blending
- Sika flake technology for onsite production of concrete and shotcrete admixtures
- Sika Fiber technology in order to optimize the reinforcing demand of concrete structures
Onsite Support
We are used to work closely with our partners and offer frequent on-site support to bring the shotcrete mix, handling, application and quality testing to the next level. The Sika applicator trainings take place in frequent order to assure best practice wherever our products are in use.
Yielding Underground Support with Sika Fiber Technology
Yielding primary shotcrete liners have become the standard underground support in many mines around the globe. Increased stress levels in deeper mines require a yielding support in order to take up dynamic loads and seismic shocks from the rock mass. Sika Fibers are high quality, macro-synthetic fibers used in underground projects around the globe and proven to outperform steel-fibers when it comes to energy absorption and cost-performance of the shotcrete support.
Sika Fiber Force
Sika® Fiber Force is the macro-synthetic fiber product range from Sika. The Sika fibers provide excellent yielding characteristics within the shotcrete liner or specific concrete structures such as slabs and piles. The fibers can be sourced in different packaging options including handy fiber-packs that easily dissolve in the wet concrete mix.
Optimize Your Shotcrete Mix
Macro-synthetic polypropylene fibers have become the standard in many mining operations around the globe. Macro-synthetic fibers have a few key advantages compared to steel fibers including avoidance of corrosion, much lower dosage (on a per weight basis), much better yielding characteristics, easier handling and better overall price performance.
3. Mine Paste Backfill Admixtures
Admixtures to Optimize Paste Backfill Operations
Sika offers a wide range of mine paste backfill admixtures that can be dosed directly into the wetted out mix of the paste plant. The admixtures are based on the proven Sika PCE technology and can have a dramatic effect on the rheological behavior of the paste. The admixtures act as a high range water reducer and therefore provide the opportunity to significantly reduce the cement consumption of the paste operation. Sika is in position to provide extensive on site support and to support you with the right paste backfill design.
Optimize Your Mix
Sika applies similar principles that we use in concrete also for mine paste backfill plants worldwide using our chemical toolbox that has been refined over the past decades. We can help you to achieve the following with your backfill paste:
- Reduce binder consumption
- Improve compressive strength
- Reduce bleeding
- Facilitate paste pumping
- Reduce wear and tear of machinery and paste lines
- Speed up mine and fill cycle time
Customized Solutions
Every mine paste is different in terms of its granulometry, the chemical composition and the binder types used. Sika is experienced in analysing the different pastes in order to find the admixtures that will suit your paste best. By doing so, we are in position to deliver the competitive edge when it comes to cost reduction and mix optimization.
Onsite Support
With our presence in more than 90 countries we are in position to give you dedicated and efficient on site support to optimize your paste fill operation. Specialized teams in all world regions will give you the support you need to improve the cost performance of the paste backfill mix.
4. Sika Rock Injections
Control Water and Consolidate Weak Ground Masses
Sika offers an extensive range of rock injection resins for all types of applications ranging from two component, foaming, polyurethane resins to fight water ingress underground to two component silicate and acrylic resins for rock and soil consolidation and cavity filling. Used in mines across the world, the Sika injection resins will help you to counter challenging ground conditions under-and above ground.
Sikafix® Injection Range
The Sika two component injection resins are dedicated to stop water and to consolidate challenging rock conditions underground. The products are applied using two component piston pumps of different sizes and auxiliary equipment such as packers, and lances. The PU resins can be accelerated based on the reaction time needed to counter the water ingress and to avoid washouts.
Onsite Support
Successful pre and post grouting of underground structures warrant good preparation and assessment of the specific situation on the job-site. Dedicated and specialized Sika teams help you to achieve your goals and to train your teams when using the injection resins and auxiliary equipment. We also offer customer trainings that take place frequently.
5. Conveyor Belt Products
Repair Your Belts – Easy and Fast
Sika is a global leader when it comes to specialized adhesives for industrial applications. Over the past years, we developed high performing products dedicated for the global mining and materials processing industry to repair conveyor belts in an easy and efficient way. Two products are available, one for the reparation of rubber substrates and the other for structural rubber-rubber or rubber-steel bonding.
SikaBond® R&B-100
Conveyor belt repair made easy: This fast curing, high performance elastomer is designed for fast and clean repair of the rubber substrate of conveyor belts and industrial rubber elements. The product is available as a ready to be used repair kit that can be applied right in the field. The product is in use in many mines, and quarries and has been proven in the most challenging mining conditions.
SikaBond® R&B-200/210
SikaBond® R&B-200/210 are adhesive for rubber to rubber or rubber to steel bonding. These unique products offer unbeatable adhesion to different rubber substrates and is designed for repair on rubber conveyor belts that are textile or steel reinforced. The products come as a handy, two-component cartridge that is applied using a two component application gun (either manual or pneumatic). Besides the astonishing bonding properties, the product cures very fast and allows fast recommissioning of the conveyor belt once repaired.
6. Protective Coatings
Protective Coatings for Tank Linings and Corrosion Protection
Sika offers a wide range of protective coatings for steel or concrete structures. Used in large thickeners, leach tanks, floatation cells or as corrosion protection for exposed steel structures, we cover the whole application range. The products are either manually applied or by the use of special spraying equipment.
Protect Your Structure
The mining industry is handling chemicals , process solutions and waste water on a daily basis. The containment structures are made of steel or concrete and both need to be protected from chemical attack, chloride migration or mechanical abrasion in order to maintain their structural integrity over the projected service life. Sika offers protective solutions for all kind of application, depending on the contained media and exposure class.
Maintenance Is Key
The SikaCor® product range is designed to protect steel structures from corrosion. From highly saline marine environments to mild moisture exposure, the SikaCor range covers it all. The Sikalastic® range covers products that are designed to protect steel and concrete from mechanical abrasion and chemical attack.
7. Floors
Durable Floors for Mines
Various Sika flooring brands have been installed in mines all over the world. Impact resistant, highly durable floors for truck workshops, equipment maintenance facilities and warehouses as well as easy to maintain floors for messes, office compounds and housing facilities are all part of the Sikafloor® range. Well maintained floors have a big impact on the daily mine life and facilitate the operating business from day to day.
SikaPurCem®, Sika EpoCem® Technology
Sika PurCem® and Sika EpoCem® are the Sika brands for impact resistant flooring products. Sika EpoCem® is an epoxy modified cementitious system, PurCem® on the other hand is a polyurethane modified cementitious flooring product. Depending on the operational requirements such as the exposure to static or dynamic loads, the chemical resistance, the peak loads and the temperature exposure, different system apply for your job-site.
Onsite Support
With our presence in over 100 countries, we are in the position to give you dedicated and efficient on site support wherever you are. Specialized teams and dedicated application partners in all world regions will give you the support you need in order to install the floors in a timely and efficient matter.
8. Underlayment Grouts
Sika Is Involved in the Production of High Quality Grouts For Many Decades
On large mining projects, cementitious - or epoxy-based grouts are used on a daily basis for underlayment works, repair and refurbishment jobs and rehabilitation efforts. SikaDur® Technology is the go-to brand for epoxy based underlayment grouts to take up dynamic load from machinery and equipment that is prone to constant vibrations. SikaGrout® on the other hand is the cementitious based counterpart for a very wide application range.
Get It Done
Grouts and mortars are used for a very wide range in mines and large infrastructure projects. Fixing equipment, machinery, steel- or concrete structures require cementitious or epoxy-based grouts and mortars in some way. The grouts can be applied in warm and cold temperature conditions.
Onsite Support
With our presence in more than 100 countries, we are in the position to give you dedicated and efficient on site support. Sika operates dozens of grout and mortar plants in all world regions for a fast and efficient supply of your job site.
9. Anchoring Products
Sika AnchorFix® for Efficient Installations
The Sika AnchorFix® product line is a well known and respected Sika brand and in use in many of the worlds largest infrastructure sites. The Sika Anchorfix® range covers products from the do-it-yourself level to high end professional-use-only Anchofix®-3 series that are suited for structural fixations of heavy equipment, machinery and installations such as pipes, ventilation tubes and vans, slick- and paste lines as well as roof-mounted conveyors.
Anchoring Resins for All Applications
In mines and tunnels anchoring and fixation of machinery, equipment and support installations is part of the daily business. The quality and durability of the anchoring resins is key to provide a safe and well-maintained working environment under- and above ground. The Sika anchoring products are safe and easy to apply and available in different sizes for fast and efficient applications.
Proven Technology
Chemical resin anchors are a proven technology since many years and offer some distinct advantages compared to purely mechanical anchors.
- Full resin embedding of the anchor
- Corrosion protection due to full embedding
- Improved cost performance
- No special anchors or bolts needed
- Higher flexibility in terms of the bolt length
10. Dust Sealers
Don’t Get Lost in the Dust
In most mining environments, dust represents one of the highest health and safety concerns no matter if the operation is located under- or above ground. Therefore, a lot of effort is put into reducing dust generation to an acceptable level, on a daily basis. Sika Dust Seal®-300 is a new product from Sika, that prevents dust particles going airborne and reduces dust generation over an extended time period. The product is fully bio-degradable and is diluted with water prior to application.
Dust
Dust generates all sort of problems, ranging from health and safety concerns due to reduced visibility and respiration issues to increased wear and tear of machinery and equipment and increased ventilation costs in underground workings. Sika Dust Seal-300 is designed to provide a safe, water based and environmental friendly alternative to current dust-sealing solutions.
Easy Application
The Sika Dust Seal-300 is currently supplied as a concentrated liquid solution that can be diluted with water in order to be applied on underground and open pit ramps drifts, haul roads, strips, dumps and stockpiles. The product forms a crust-like sealing layer with the dust particles that will last for an extended period of time. Watering efforts can be reduced strongly.
Sika’s Experts Provide Assistance to Benefit your Business
Local Contact
Contact a Sika expert near you for technical support and locally available products and systems.
Global Project Support
Sika’s Project Support Team provides in-depth consultative support for our full product range and represents a single point of contact into the extensive Sika network of experts. Please contact us to learn more or inquire specifically on your current project(s).
See Some of Sika’s Past Mining Projects
Read More Mining Case Studies by Downloading Them Below
