Massive breakers help create an artificial lake
Three Indeco breakers are involved in excavating over 400,000 cubic metres of rock near Quebec City
At Chutes a Charny, just a few kilometres from Quebec City and the city of Levis, three Indeco breakers are digging an artificial lake and performing other earthworks involving the excavation of over 400,000 cubic metres of rock. This is part of a project to convert what was a well-known local campground into a modern resort covering 150,000 square metres featuring permanent and temporary lots for RVs and mobile homes, small prefab buildings and parking.
FDT (Forage Dynami-tech) is a major contractor in Quebec that specializes in the use of explosives for excavation, drilling and blasting for artesian wells, and other types of work. FDT’s fleet of machinery and equipment includes Indeco breakers, which the contractor uses for all excavations and works to reduce the volume of rock either as a complementary method or as an alternative to blasting. FDT owns two HP 16000 breakers and an HP 25000 breaker that are being used to construct a new campground-resort.
As is often the case, the initial phase of the excavation used blasting as a technique, and then breakers were brought in to perform the actual excavation and reduction of the rock into transportable pieces. The rock, made up of grey limestone and schist with the presence of quartzite, was especially hard and abrasive in some areas. The material produced by excavating for the lake and by other jobs, amounts to over 400,000 cubic metres. Approximately 150,000 cubic metres will be used in situ for the construction of embankments of roads and parking areas and the rest traded by the owner for other building materials (wood, cement, asphalt, etc.) needed to complete the works. As the rock is not the product of an actual mining activity, it cannot be sold according to local laws.
A double advantage
Philippe Paradis, owner of FDT, said that the choice of Indeco breakers was based on the manufacturer’s reputation in the market, especially its expertise in the production of large breakers like the HP 16000, and the fact that they are the only manufacturer to offer a breaker like the HP 25000.
“These breakers not only enable us to produce more,” he said, “but according to the code for tenders and contracts in force here in Quebec, they also allow us to command a higher rate compared to smaller equipment, a double advantage of no small importance. Reliability and productivity are an unquestionable strength of these attachments. Also, the service provided by Indeco dealer SMS is another important consideration because we know that any need, whether related to service or simply to the optimization of the excavator–breaker setup, will be met with a quick and professional response.”
Both the HP 16000 and the HP 25000 are highly appreciated in the mining sector because they are a valid alternative to blasting when it comes to productivity and operating costs.
Today, Indeco is the only producer who puts out a breaker with 25,000 joules that maintains the versatility and agility of breakers of a lower class. With a speed that can reach 460 blows per minute and a tool measuring 216 mm, the HP 25000 boasts spectacular productivity in fracturing and demolishing rock.
Like all Indeco breakers, the HP 18000 features optimum efficiency thanks to an excellent ratio between input and energy yield. In addition, the breaker is fitted with the ABF system (anti-blank firing), a patented technology only offered by Indeco, that significantly improves efficiency and increases the life of the breaker.
