The mining industry has always prided itself on solving complex engineering challenges, yet for decades one problem remained: how to safely install six- or eight-foot bolts in an eight-foot drift using mechanized equipment. For most narrow vein mines, the answer was still hand-held jacklegs and stopers — a method that stood out as a relic in an era otherwise dominated by advanced technology.
That changed when Hudson Heartland’s CEO, Eric Hinton, challenged the status quo. In 2007, while working with Golder Associates, Hinton called on Medatech Engineering to take on the problem.
His view was clear: “Bigger isn’t always better. There are a lot of mines around the world that actually require much smaller equipment.”
The result was the Camiro Micro Bolter — a machine tested successfully at Vale Inco’s Coleman Mine. Its design made it possible to install long bolts in tight drifts while keeping miners safer and reducing fatigue. Unlike larger machines that demanded oversized openings and excessive waste, the Micro Bolter allowed miners to chase narrow orebodies efficiently and with less risk.
Beyond productivity, Hinton emphasized health and safety. Traditional jackleg drilling exposes miners to falling ground and vibration-related injuries like Raynaud’s disease. The Micro Bolter, in contrast, allowed operators to work under protected ground, either seated comfortably or via remote control.
For Hudson Heartland, this story is more than history — it reflects the company’s DNA. Innovation, practicality, and safety have always guided Hinton’s approach to mining, laying the foundation for Hudson’s focus on scalable, efficient micro-mining projects worldwide.