MANmagazine Truck UK 1/2015

man magazine
1/2015
In the depths of the Bernburg mine, salt is extracted far beneath the
ground. This operation requires vehicles that can easily cope with the
challenging terrain – such as the Euro 6 HydroDrive by MAN. Before
it can go into service at the bottom of the pit, however, the truck is
dismantled and transported below in its individual components.
Under
ground
O
nce the iron door slides into
place, a bucking elevator hurtles
down to a depth of 500 metres
below ground, with ears subjected to the same
kind of pressure as experienced in a plane at
altitude. Once arrived down under, the world
has changed entirely: Neon light illuminates
the outer area, an assortment of jeeps awaits.
Traversing the mine in all directions is a labyrinth
of passages and tunnels. While seemingly
an impenetrable tangle of paths, it is indeed
an established road network for the crew that
works here every day. At a balmy 25°C, a refreshing
scent lies in the air: salt. It is a universal
sensation – everything here consists of salt.
Walls and ceilings glitter in places, generally
Photo: Jörg Gläscher
Pit operations: At the
Bernburg salt mine, MAN’s
push-off dumpers are the
service vehicle of choice.
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