Going Underground with Lekatech’s Toras 35 Electric Hammer

News reaches the Digger Man Blog from Lekatech about an interesting underground collaboration with their fully electric hammer, which coincidentally, was also shown at Hillhead.

In the rapidly evolving field of underground mining, the demand for sustainable and efficient tools is increasing. Since 2018, Normet has collaborated with Finnish Lekatech, a startup business committed to revolutionizing hammering technologies, in the development of a fully electric hammer.

The results of this collaboration are now evident. The Pyhäsalmi mine in Finland, with its challenging conditions and nearly 1.5 km depth, provided the ideal testing ground for Lekatech’s innovative fully electric hammer, integrated into Normet’s Scamec LC Thor 095 A scaler.

The Scamec LC Thor 095 A is a purpose-built underground scaling machine designed to ensure safety and efficiency in mining operations. Renowned for its robust construction and precision, it is an essential tool for safety scaling loose rocks from tunnel surfaces, a critical task to prevent accidents in underground mines.

The Lekatech fully electric hammer represents a significant leap forward in rock breaking and scaling. Unlike traditional pneumatic or hydraulic hammers, this electric hammer is designed to deliver high-impact energy with minimal environmental impact. By eliminating the need for hydraulic fluids and reducing overall energy consumption, the Lekatech electric hammer offers more efficient alternative for mining operations.

Test Objectives

The main objectives of the testing were to evaluate the impact energy and effectiveness of the fully electric hammer in real-world scaling operations, examine the hammer’s ability to withstand continuous use in the harsh environment of deep underground mining, ensure the electric hammer’s seamless integration with the Scamec LC Thor 095 A and its ease of use for operators, and evaluate the energy consumption, operational cost, and overall efficiency of the electric hammer compared to traditional hammers.

Antti Anttila, CEO at Lekatech, expressed his enthusiasm about the testing, stating, “We were incredibly excited to see our fully electric hammer put to the test in an underground mine for the first time. Pyhäsalmi mine’s challenging conditions provided the perfect environment to demonstrate what our technology is truly capable of. This successful test confirms that our electric hammer is not just a concept, but a real-world solution ready to revolutionize rock breaking”.

“Our fully electric hammer was designed to address the growing need for sustainable and efficient rock breaking solutions. Seeing it perform so well in the demanding environment of Pyhäsalmi mine confirms that electric hammers are not just a viable alternative but a superior one. The reduced energy consumption and environmental impact, combined with outstanding performance, make this a game-changer in the industry”.

Results

The results from the Pyhäsalmi mine testing provided several key findings. The fully electric Lekatech hammer delivered high-impact energy that matched or exceeded the performance of traditional hydraulic hammers. The hammer integrated smoothly with the Scamec LC Thor 095 A, allowing operators to transition easily to the new system.

“The testing of the Lekatech fully electric hammer with the Scamec LC Thor 095 A marks a significant advancement in mining electrification. The collaboration with Lekatech, highlighted by the successful results from Pyhäsalmi mine, reinforces our commitment to delivering on our promises of safety, reliability, and sustainability”, concludes Herkko Juntunen, Product Line Director of Scaling, Logistics & Transportation, Normet.