Smarter surface solutions

Quarry learns about a new road repair solution with an application that can benefit the wider quarrying industry.

SIMEX has introduced two major advances in surface-processing technology: the ART 1000 Gen II asphalt regeneration system and the latest evolution of its TF Drum Cutter range.

While these innovations benefit civil contractors and road authorities, they also offer significant advantages for quarry operators seeking efficient surface maintenance, selective extraction, and safer, more controlled rock processing.

Rebuilding quarry roads, and any roads, with what’s already there

Roads leading to quarries are among the most heavily trafficked surfaces in the construction materials sector.

Continuous truck movements, turning zones, and stockpile areas can deteriorate quickly, demanding frequent patching or resurfacing. Traditionally, this means trucking in new asphalt or aggregate and removing failed material, an expensive and time-consuming cycle.

The SIMEX ART 1000 Gen II presents a different approach. The system repairs damaged asphalt using 100 per cent of the existing road material. It mills the surface, refines it, injects a rejuvenator, and lays it back down in a single pass.

For quarry operators, this brings clear benefits, including reduced truck movements on-site and around the quarry, lower material costs by eliminating the need for imported asphalt, and faster reopening of internal haul roads, improving productivity.

The dual-drum system handles milling, grain-size reduction, and final mixing, producing a recycled bituminous blend that can be compacted immediately. Even mixed surfaces containing traces of cement mortar, common in areas disturbed by service installations, can be restored cleanly.

A smarter, more operator-friendly Gen II

The upgraded ART 1000 Gen II includes a new onboard electronics package that delivers real-time performance data such as material throughput, rejuvenator dosage, and progress metrics. Precise dosing control allows adjustments down to 0.1L per minute, and automatic calibration ensures correct additive application at varying carrier speeds, especially useful for long or uneven quarry roads. LED indicators help operators maintain optimal working speed, improving mix consistency and reducing the risk of rework. For quarry managers looking to extend asset life, reduce maintenance costs, and keep haul routes operating smoothly, the ART 1000 Gen II sets a new benchmark in sustainable road rehabilitation.

Precision rock cutting for quarries and mines

While the ART technology optimises road surfaces, SIMEX’s TF Drum Cutter range continues to shine in tough geological environments, from underground tunnels to open-cut quarries.

Quarrying increasingly demands tools that can manage harder, more abrasive deposits with precision and minimal disturbance. In many situations where traditional excavation or blasting is too disruptive, too costly, or restricted, mechanical drum cutters offer an effective alternative.

A recent underground gold mine project in Western Australia demonstrates the capability. Byrnecut Mining used a SIMEX TF850 Drum Cutter to shape soft limestone in a confined portal expansion.

Blasting was not viable due to fragmentation risks, and the narrow workings required a compact, controllable tool.

A modified Volvo ECR235E excavator with a 360° rotator and 140° actuator, engineered by Total Rockbreaking Solutions, allowed the TF850 to grind the face cleanly, keeping vibration and noise low while protecting wall stability. A dust suppression system further improved operator comfort and safety.

Selective extraction and profiling: Key advantages for quarries

A variety of tooth geometries further refines performance, allowing operators to switch between mixed materials, extremely hard substrates, or fine finishing work. In many cases, the material produced by the TF range is already crushed to a usable size, reducing the load on downstream crushers and improving overall plant efficiency.

A Strong Fit for Today’s Quarrying Challenges

With growing pressure to cut emissions, reduce waste, and boost operational efficiency, quarry operators are looking for smarter tools that deliver both performance and sustainability. SIMEX’s ART 1000 Gen II and TF Drum Cutter range speak directly to these needs.

Whether maintaining kilometres of internal haul roads, profiling benches, or selectively extracting rock, SIMEX’s latest technologies help quarries work cleaner, safer, and more productively, setting a new standard for modern surface-processing equipment. •

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