First non-metallic messenger line for Salt mine bore hole cable

The first non-metallic messenger line to support a mine power feeder cable has been installed by bore hole cable installation specialist, WLI Inc, at a leading mid-west salt mining company. The 1,100 ft Phillystran aramid cable replaced a corroded stainless steel messenger line and grips.

Corrosion is a significant operational issue, even for stainless steel, in salt mines. Failure of the messenger line, and associated electric power cable, can disrupt mining operations while the power cable is replaced. In a concept first developed by WLI Inc. and Phillystran, a Phillystran HPTG 85000I aramid cable has been used to support the mine power feeder cable suspended down the ore/skip shaft.

The power cable, approx. 3 inch diameter and weighing 7.5 lb/ft, is secured to the HPTG messenger line every 50ft using Phillystran’s PSG75 PhillyGrip aramid fiber non-metallic grips, resulting in a completely non-metallic support system. 

With over 30 years’ experience of bore hole cable installation, Johnny Joe Mentus, CEO, WLI Inc. points to the perennial problem of corrosion in mining, especially salt mines, as the main driver for using a non-metallic messenger line to support a mine power feeder cable. 

“Electric power is at the heart of all mining operations, losing it disrupts production and is costly too. Any mine experiencing corrosion problems should certainly take a close look at our implementation of non-metallic Phillystran messenger lines. As well as avoiding unscheduled downtime, it can reduce the cost of maintaining messenger lines and increase service life,” he said.

Phillystran HPTG messenger line

The Phillystran HPTG 85000I messenger line has a breaking strength of 85,000 lb. Made from high modulus aramid fibers such as Kevlar and Twaron®, and with a Phillystran proprietary wire-lay construction, the lines can be manufactured with up to 1.7 million pounds breaking strength using standard production methods.

The HPTG messenger lines are resin impregnated for increased performance and protected with a thick polyurethane external extrusion coating for enhanced environmental resistance in the most demanding mining applications.

For more information on Phillystran high performance ropes in mining, visit https://www.phillystran.com/markets/mining-ropes