Platinum Mining HVAC in Rustenburg

Platinum operations on the western limb run deep, mechanised and continuously — cabin climate control on the equipment underground and on surface is an availability issue, not a comfort item.

Platinum mining around Rustenburg, Marikana and Kroondal combines conventional and mechanised underground mining with surface handling and concentrating. The equipment mix leans heavily towards LHDs, drill rigs, utility vehicles and support fleet, with surface haulage and loading around shafts and stockpiles. Machines cycle between hot, humid development ends and cooler surface staging, and that swing is what stresses evaporator drains, blower assemblies and cabin seals.

Priorities for this sector

  • Sealed and positively pressurised cabins to keep respirable dust out
  • Refrigerant circuit integrity on machines subject to constant vibration
  • Filter and condenser regimes matched to underground dust loading
  • Cooling for shaft, plant and control room electrical equipment