INTERNAL USE ONLY

THUNDERBOLT Recoilless Hammer

Recommendation Guide
What should I consider when helping my Customer choose a THUNDERBOLT
Recoilless Hammer or combination of THUNDERBOLTs?

Generally, in the mining industry, people want the more powerful THUNDERBOLT option. However, a
THUNDERBOLT that is “too powerful” for the actual site conditions, can negatively impact the Customer’s experience
of this product. Careful consideration of Customers’ requirements and needs is very important.

General principles
 The bigger the mill, the bigger the THUNDERBOLT
 The bigger the liner, the bigger the THUNDERBOLT
 The longer the bolt length, the bigger the THUNDERBOLT

THUNDERBOLT Recoilless Hammer mill application guide

Medium SAG Large

Small SAG Mill
Liner mass Zone Mill SAG Mill
(<26’)
(27’-34’) (>35’)

Feed End
250/500 250/500 750/1000
(FE)
Light liners
(Less than Shell 250/500 750/1000 750/1000
SAG Mills:
2000kg)
Discharge
750/1000 750/1000 750/1000
General guidelines End (DE)
based upon MILL
RELINE Feed End 750/1000 750/1000
DIRECTOR (MRD) Heavy Liners
projections (More than Shell 1500/2000 1500/2000
2000kg)
Discharge
1500/2000 1500/2000
End
FE: tends to be the easiest area for liner removal, therefore, smaller THUNDERBOLT.
SAG Mills
Shell: liner removal tends to get more difficult as progress is made towards the DE; larger
THUNDERBOLT required.
FE = Feed End
DE: Most difficult section (cementing action, longer bolts), biggest THUNDERBOLTs
DE = Discharge End
required.

Bolts tend to be of a shorter length throughout (compared with the longer length bolts on
the DE of SAG mills). Shorter length bolts generally require smaller THUNDERBOLTs.
Ball Mills
Also, bolts tend to be easier to knock in as not impacted by the charge as is the case in a
SAG mill. THUNDERBOLT 500 and 750 Recoilless Hammers tend to shine in this space.
 Other factors

Bolts currently THUNDERBOLT 250 Recoilless Hammers can directly replace a sledge hammer.
removed via Customers may comment that the THUNDERBOLT 250 is bulkier and slower to move
sledge hammer between bolts, but safety and blow control gains must be kept in mind.

Some Customers are loyal to a particular size or series of THUNDERBOLT. No amount

Customer
of ‘sales pitch’ will change their mind. Listen to this, be mindful of it. Better that they
preference,
have a reliable, proven RME THUNDERBOLT (of an appropriate size) than a competitor’s
existing fleet and
product. Existing compatible equipment may determine THUNDERBOLT preference and
equipment.
what is right for the Customer.

THUNDERBOLT
1500 Special
No technical reason to choose a THUNDERBOLT 1500 over a THUNDERBOLT
Performance
MAGNUM 2000. Technically, the THUNDERBOLT MAGNUM 2000 is a superior hammer
Recoilless
for energy. Budgetary wise, the THUNDERBOLT 1500 may suit some Customers,
Hammer or
particularly those with a current fleet of THUNDERBOLT 1500s.
THUNDERBOLT
MAGNUM 2000?

Greenfield site: A bigger THUNDERBOLT is often better when a site is starting up and the ore is soft.
initial softer ore Over time, the site may move to a smaller THUNDERBOLT.

Rubber liners can be problematic as they are able to absorb hammer energy elastically
Rubber liner when jammed. To avoid jamming, two THUNDERBOLT 250s or THUNDERBOLT 500s
considerations may be required. This allows the liner to be hit at each end simultaneously and be driven
off without rotating and jamming.

If liner peening is Typically, this needs a larger sized hammer to resolve. The THUNDERBOLT MAGNUM
an issue 2000 would do a very good job here.
Refurbished or
hire options  Mine life of 1-2 years?
 Lower throughput?
If a Customer  Low Capex, but Opex available?
answers ‘yes’ to any  1-2 relines per year?
of these, h/she  Wishing to keep down maintenance costs?
could be a  Multiple mills on a single site being simultaneously relined?
candidate for a
 Non-RME Reline companies? Partnership/alliance?
refurbished or hire
hammer option.  Spare equipment in case of a breakdown?

For detailed assistance, always contact the THUNDERBOLT team.

THUNDERBOLT Suspension Options Guide

This document is currently in development and will be available soon.