Boldstar Goes Heavy Duty
Boldstar Infrared Services and the Iron Ore Company of Canada put thermography to the test.

LOCATION: Labrador City-Labrador Canada. This web page is proof that the benefits of thermography can be applied in extreme condition while still maintaining a quick return on investment. The Iron Ore Company of Canada is a true believer in the benefits of regular infrared inspection. Not only does it help with staying a step ahead of equipment failure but also provides a strong element of due diligence to clients, stock holders and employees. Situated at the 53rd latitude this iron ore mine at Labrador City, NFLD is in rugged country. While the environment presents many challenges in terms of weather this area of Canada is breathtaking and unique. The Labrador City mine is very busy with activity. All processes have been refined over the years to make this operation truly world class. Up to 40 million tons of iron ore is extracted yearly at this facility. Machinery and equipment must be built and maintained to be tougher than the environment. All equipment is huge, rugged and maintained to the highest possible standards. Infrared thermography is used by The Iron Ore Company to bring advantages to many aspects of the entire site.

The mining operation really starts by finding good ore deposits. Prime areas are mapped and holes are drilled in the rock and filled with explosives. Click here to see an infrared video clip of a rock blast. Images taken approximately 1 kilometer from the blast site.

As a prime example of big, tough and rugged, these 240 ton pay-load haul trucks are a common site at the mine.The truck are used to haul iron ore from the open pit mining operation and deliver the ore to stations through out mine (known as pockets) to be further processed and loaded onto trains to be delivered to the processing plant. Everything is huge on these trucks and maintenance challenges to maintain these vehicle can also be huge. Click here to see an infrared image of the truck.

The IOCC mine operates a hydro-electric dam near Shefferville, QC. Thermographic inspection is used to help stay ahead of breakdowns in the Menihek Dam's powerhouse equipment. This helicopter flies over the dam's transmission lines and Boldstar scans the lines for "hot-spots" and other deficiencies. Click here to see an infrared image of the helicopter.

A network of electric trains take iron ore from the bottom of the storage pockets to the processing facilities. A great deal of resources are utilized to maintain the electric supply system to ensure the trains keep on rolling. Switches, insulators, transformer, cables and other devices all work together to maintain safety and reliability. Thermography is used to identify electrical problems on all areas of the system. Your chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

PHOTO

INFRARED IMAGE

Look at the size of this thing. This huge shovel picks up the freshly blaster iron ore straight from the ground. The shovel operates on a 4160 volt system and relies on refined maintenance practices to operate effectively in the rugged terrain. The shovels have an onboard motor control center along with DC drives, inverters and electric motors. Just four shovels worth is enough to fill the waiting 240 ton haul trucks. Click here to see an infrared image of the shovel as it loads a haul truck. Being one of the world largest suppliers of quality iron ore, The Iron Ore Company of Canada in Labrador City uses all modern technologies to their advantage.The climate provides constant challenges. The ongoing process of removing iron ore from the ground in a safe and efficient manner can also be a challenge. Regular infrared thermography inspection on crucial equipment provides help with these challenges and make the entire operation at Labrador City more efficient, safe and reliable.

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