Sunward’s Technical Breakthrough: Pushing the Limits of Deep-Sea Mining Logistics at 1,060m
Reliable Continuous Muck Removal for Complex Underwater Mining Environments
📍 Sanshandao Gold Mine, Yantai, China
Live Operation: Sunward’s Continuous Muck Removal System in Action
01 Project Context & Extreme Challenges
The Sanshandao Gold Mine project represents a new frontier in deep-sea mining. Operating at 1,060 meters below the seabed, the environment is defined by high pressure, extreme humidity, and intense heat. As of August 2025, Sunward’s specialized continuous belt conveyor has been running without failure for over 3,600 hours, setting a new benchmark for reliability in complex underground logistics.
This project employs full-face hard rock TBM for non-explosive mechanical tunneling, requiring a muck removal system capable of handling:
- Severe Corrosion: High chloride ion content in tunnel brine poses a massive threat to steel structures.
- Complex Geometry: Frequent turns (over 10 in 11km) with a minimum radius of only 80m and a 180° large angle.
- Steep Inclines: A longitudinal slope of 15% requires powerful tensioning and anti-slip designs.
Figure 1: Comprehensive Layout of the 1,150m Continuous Belt Conveyor Installation
Figure 2: Engineering Schematic for the 80m Small-Radius and 180° Large-Angle Turning Section
02 Advanced Engineering & Targeted Design
To solve the space limitations and high-risk operational factors, the Sunward R&D team implemented a multi-dimensional design strategy:
Ultra-Compact Layout
The driving device utilizes a hollow shaft reducer with floating supports, significantly reducing width for easier installation in narrow tunnels. A 300m high-efficiency belt storage bin adapts perfectly to the confined undersea space.
Anti-Tearing & Stability
Incorporating innovative NN250*4 nylon belts, the system exceeds the required 10% rated elongation for high-slope stability. Deep-groove U-shaped idlers and limit frames prevent belt deviation and overlapping during frequent 180° turns.
03 Key Achievements & Industry Impact
The success of this system fills a critical technical gap in deep-mine logistics. Key performance metrics include:
- High Advance Rate: Reached a maximum monthly advance of 300m, dramatically accelerating the construction timeline.
- Reliable Redundancy: Frequency conversion constant torque tensioning ensures stable power even during peak transportation periods (90t/h).
- Proven Durability: Successful 60-meter extreme turning tests provide replicable data for future global deep-sea mining projects.
This project has resulted in multiple invention patents and high recognition from domestic and international customers for its “Compact + Reliable + Safe” architecture.
Operational performance monitoring: Ensuring safety at 1,060m depth.
Global Leader in Specialized Engineering Equipment
Sunward’s technical deep cultivation in the field of special engineering equipment continues to provide efficient and safe construction solutions for the most complex working conditions worldwide.
