31 October 2019

PRESS RELEASE

REGIONAL VICTORIAN COMPANY WEAPONISES MINE SAFETY

Greater safety for underground miners is now easier to implement thanks to the launch of an innovative new product developed and produced in Bendigo in regional Victoria.

Rattlejack’s SafetySpear is a high speed, high impact plugging device for underground mining that protects workers and machinery from being hit by falling drill rods abandoned during previous operations and hanging precariously above work areas.

Rattlejack is at the International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne to demonstrate the SafetySpear’s effectiveness and simplicity to an international audience of industry big-hitters.

Operating in a similar way to a car airbag, the SafetySpear can resolve a life or death situation in a fraction of a second and has the ability to catch weight thousands of times its own, yet remains light enough to lift with one hand.

Alternative solutions are more costly, more time consuming, disrupting mining schedules and project timelines, and less effective.

According to inventor and Rattlejack Director, Leigh Sutton, the SafetySpear will revolutionise safety across the mining sector and allow mines to operate with less downtime.

“What we’ve developed is an easy to implement safety product that will save lives and provide greater ground access because dangerous areas are made safe. That means they no longer need to be isolated and mining can continue working without disruption.”

Only 60cm long, the SafetySpear is made operational using existing mining machinery and avoids issues created by moving large equipment in and out of confined spaces underground.

Invented, designed, developed and manufactured in regional Victoria, the product is an example of how Victorian METS companies are providing a complete product package from concept to production.

“The SafetySpear solves a safety issue that has never had a reliable remedy. There’s nothing close to it in design or concept, which means it could be eligible for a standalone 20-year patent,” Mr Sutton said.

“We can fix their problems, while saving them money and time. IMARC gives us the opportunity to increase our profile and showcase the SafetySpear to the international mining community.”

Rattlejack are exhibiting at D7b at the International Mining and Resources Conference & Expo which is on until Thursday.

Find out more about the SafetySpear at rattlejack.com.au

About: The International Mining and Resources Conference & Expo (IMARC) is where global mining leaders connect with technology, finance and the future. Now in its 6th year, it is Australia’s largest mining event, bringing together over 7,000 decision makers, mining leaders, policy makers, investors, commodity buyers, technical experts, innovators and educators from over 100 countries for four days of learning, deal-making and unparalleled networking. IMARC is developed in collaboration with its founding partners the Victorian State Government of Australia, Austmine, AusIMM and Mines and Money and is on now until 31 October at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre https://imarcmelbourne.com/

Media Contact:

Chris Manly | Media Manager – Platform Communications
P: 0434 308 552
E: chris@platformcommunications.com.au