Block cave mining is a mass-mining technique used in many underground mines around the world. The innovative Cat® Rock Flow System - jointly developed with the Chilean mining company Codelco - greatly improves productivity by making use of continuous haulage technology as compared to the conventional use of LHD’s. The Cat Rock Flow System combines the usage of a Rock Feeder, a Rock Mover and an automation system to deliver mass mining production with improved safety and sustainability. The Rock Feeder RF300 extracts ore from the drawpoint onto the Rock Mover (Hard Rock Chain Conveyor) by a hydraulically operated push plate. The Rock Mover RM900 is a dedicated hard rock production conveyor that collects ore from various drawpoints. An automation system (featuring remote operation from surface) allows draw and quality control and records operational data.

The Rock Feeder RF300 consists of a dozer and pushing cylinders designed to push the ore from the drawpoint to the hard rock production conveyor. In a reciprocating action the RF300 guarantees continuous feed. It can be quickly removed from the drawpoint at any time for maintenance or clearance work in the drawpoint.

• Guide rails: Low-wear and long-lasting guide rails for continuous forward/reverse movement
• Guide bar: Easily replaceable guide bar by use of screw connections
• Pusher: Dozer plates made of wear resistant steel
• Pushing Device: Easy access for installation and maintenance work
• Dozer: Quick assembly of dozer and pushing device
• Interlocking mechanism: Easy installation into the draw point by self-moving pushing device
• Draw control: Sensor-based monitoring of all system-based status information
• Maintenance: Maintenance- and service-friendly access to all components
• Hydraulics: Energy saving high-pressure hydraulics for maximum forces and minimum energy input

The new-type Rock Mover RM900 is a special hard rock production conveyor, specifically engineered for the difficult conditions encountered in hard rock underground mining. It is an outboard chain conveyor with a box-shaped profile, providing easy accessibility for replacement of worn parts.

• Line pan: Wrapped + screwed line pans support a quick and trouble-free replacement of worn parts
• Protection: Spill plates protect motor and gear box
• Flight bar: Wear resistant, durable and forged flight bars
• Chain: Robust, super-flat chains with anti-klanking-mechanism (little wear), made of wear-proven, forged material for a long and durable life span
• Longevity: All sliding surfaces equipped with wear-proven steel
• Drive system: Variable speed drive
• Tensioning tool: Mechanical interlocking of the tensioning unit enables a narrow pattern of the chain pretension
• Hydraulics: Tensible return unit - powered by systems hydraulics
• Return unit: Easy replacement of components by screw connections