As mining goes deeper and stopes get larger, manual bolting no longer works. Beijun's bolting jumbo delivers mechanized precision, remote safety, and integrated cycle support.

Beijun Group's underground equipment is proving itself in African mining operations. The most recent example comes from the Chambishi Copper Mine in Zambia, where Beijun equipment has been deployed for ground support in large-scale stopes.

Here is what happened at Chambishi and what it means for mines facing similar challenges.

Client Background – Zambia's Chambishi Copper Mine

The Chambishi Copper Mine is located in Zambia's Copperbelt Province. It is one of the large-scale non-ferrous metal mines invested and operated overseas by Chinese companies. The mine is jointly developed by China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group and local partners, and is a landmark Belt and Road Initiative mining project in Africa. The mine was established in 2003 and gradually put into production.

As mining operations shift to deeper zones, the tunnel and stope cross-sections have significantly increased in size. This places higher demands on roof and sidewall scaling and support operations.

The Challenge – Manual Bolting Cannot Keep Up

As stopes get larger, traditional bolting methods struggle to keep pace.

Manual bolting is slow and dangerous. Traditional roof bolting with handheld tools exposes operators directly under unsupported roof. Falls of ground remain a leading safety risk. The work is physically demanding and inconsistent.

Large stopes demand better reach. With the shift to mechanized large-scale mining, tunnel and stope cross-sections have increased by 4 to 5 times compared to traditional small-section mining. Height and span have more than doubled. Manual tools and repurposed equipment cannot effectively reach high roofs and sidewalls.

Bolting efficiency restricts production rhythm. Traditional methods are time-consuming and produce inconsistent results. They become a bottleneck in the excavation cycle, limiting how fast the mine can advance.

Beijun Solution – Mechanized Bolting for Large Stopes

Shandong Beijun Group provided mechanized ground support equipment tailored to the large-stope requirements at Chambishi. The solution focused on replacing manual bolting with machine power, precision, and remote operation.

Purpose-built for underground support. Beijun's bolting jumbo is designed specifically for roof and sidewall support in non-coal underground mines. It integrates hydraulic power, intelligent control, and visual modeling algorithms to replace high-risk manual work with mechanized, intelligent operations.

Remote operation for safety. The operator controls the equipment remotely from a safe area. This achieves complete man-machine separation and eliminates exposure to hazardous zones. The machine is equipped with multiple safety features including emergency stop buttons and four-wheel wet braking.

Adaptable to complex tunnels. The chassis is well-designed and compact, suitable for flexible operation in both narrow tunnels and large stopes. It offers excellent maneuverability in the variable conditions found underground.

Compliance and certification. The equipment holds China Mining Safety (KA) certification and meets Zambian mine safety regulatory requirements.

Support services. Beijun's overseas business covers more than 20 countries, with service networks and parts supply in Africa. Core parts can reach the site within 72 hours, ensuring timely technical support and parts availability for the Chambishi project.

Implementation Results

Safety risks significantly reduced. After the equipment was deployed, it replaced manual methods and improper practices. Operators work from a safe distance using the remote control, fundamentally eliminating safety hazards from rockfalls and roof collapses. The support process has become an integrated part of the excavation cycle—drilling, scaling, mucking, and support—improving overall mine safety standards.

Support efficiency significantly improved. The mechanized equipment far exceeds manual methods in efficiency. In the mine's automated production model, it serves as a key piece of face preparation equipment, working alongside drilling jumbos, LHDs, and scaling jumbos to support a monthly advance rate of 518 meters and a daily advance rate of 33.6 meters.

Equipment damage reduced. Replacing repurposed equipment with dedicated ground support machinery eliminated damage to boom assemblies and slides caused by improper practices. This reduced maintenance costs and downtime.

Consistent, reliable support quality. With precise positioning and powerful force, the equipment effectively installs support where it is needed, creating a safe working environment for subsequent drilling and blasting operations.

Beijun's Underground Support Equipment Portfolio

Beijun Group manufactures a full range of underground mining equipment, including bolting jumbos, scaling jumbos, rock drilling jumbos, wet shotcrete machines, and underground mining trucks.

The company is a high-tech enterprise with over 500 employees, including 50+ technical staff. Beijun holds ISO9001, EU CE, and KA mine safety certifications. Products are exported to more than 20 countries with overseas branches in Chile, Peru, Kazakhstan, and other locations.

What This Means for Buyers

If you are considering mechanized bolting equipment for your mine, here is what the Chambishi case shows.

Mechanization is not optional for large stopes. As cross-sections grow, manual tools and repurposed equipment cannot keep up. Purpose-built bolting jumbos deliver the reach, power, and precision needed for large-scale operations.

Remote operation is a safety requirement. Underground faces are unstable. Remote control removes operators from the danger zone. This is the single most important safety upgrade for any bolting operation.

Integration matters. The equipment works best as part of a coordinated cycle. Beijun's ability to supply the full package—drilling, scaling, bolting, and shotcrete—reduces integration risk for mine operators.

Local support makes the difference. Distance and logistics are real challenges in Africa. Beijun's 72-hour parts commitment and regional service network keep operations running.

Track record speaks. The Chambishi project is not a one-off. Beijun equipment is also operating at the Caculo Cabaça Hydropower Project in Angola and multiple mines across Asia, Africa, and South America.

For mines looking for reliable mechanized bolting equipment with proven overseas performance, Beijun is worth a closer look.

Contact Beijun Group

Email: beijun@beijun-group.com
   Phone: +86 17854788133
   Website: www.beijun-group.com
   Address: Beijun Industrial Park, Jining, Shandong, China