The LaRonde Rope Surveillance System

Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited, LaRonde Division, operates the deepest single-lift shaft in the western hemisphere. The shaft reaches a depth of 2,240 metres from surface. The production winder’s operation and maintenance are based on the South African codes of practices SABS 0293 [1] and SABS 0294 [2]. In 2000, two rope monitoring systems were purchased from Anglo American Technical Services. The first was a Rope Load Monitor (RLM). The RLM measures the rope tension at the sheaves at all times. The second was the Continuous Rope Condition Monitor (CRCM). The CRCM magnetically measures the volume of steel going through a large magnetised head and is expected to detect rope flaws that may lead to rope failure before the next rope inspection. Both systems are the first computerised versions of the systems. The RLM is required to take advantage of the lower rope selection factor available with SABS 0294 and the CRCM, while not mandated, is installed as an insurance policy. The computerised RLM was not a good fit with the technology used at the mine and was soon converted to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) system. After converting the RLM system, the regulators requested the CRCM system be made functional.The paper describes the testing and modifications to the CRCM to create the LaRonde SSdC (Système de Surveillance des Câbles in French, or Rope Surveillance System in English.)

Author(s): C. Quirion, G. Couture and B. McLaughlin