Capital Equipment News August 2019

CRUSHING

coal processing is to minimise processing costs. To achieve that, you need to produce high tonnages at low cost. This was one of the key considerations when we developed the new coal crusher,” says Basson. More importantly, Basson says the new crusher meets all particle size distribution (PSD) requirements for Eskom. The crusher is designed to minimise both oversize and fines generation, a very important parameter in coal processing. “In terms of energy consumption, the newly designed track-mounted coal crusher provides considerable fuel savings when compared with current equipment available on the market. The cost savings are passed onto the customer by B&E International when operating on a toll basis,” adds Basson. “Based on our proven mobile crushing plant designs, this unit has been developed on the strength of our own research and development over time,” he says. “Our design technology, utilising 3D modelling and finite element analysis (FEA) in the preparation stages, enabled us to locally manufacture this innovative mobile track-mounted version in our own engineering facility.” The crusher performance was validated in static form prior to its conversion to a mobile configuration. Testing in the field was then conducted extensively, delivering exceptional results, according to Basson. B&E International has since commissioned the first unit for one of its partners working on a coal project in Mpumalanga. “The higher throughput capacity also brings important potential safety benefits to the mine,” he says. “When the mobile track-mounted crushing unit is used in conjunction with the required primary crushing and sizing equipment on a mine site, the need to employ a number of lower capacity crushing units is eliminated. This, in itself, potentially reduces safety risks as less equipment is required on the mine site, minimising equipment congestion and movement.” In conclusion, Basson says the most important thing, as B&E International further develops its JV concept with emerging contractors, is to partner companies that have the passion to learn. “We are so passionate about passing on the skills we have gained in over four decades to the next group of mining contractors and this model allows us to do exactly that. In my view this is the future of the industry,” concludes Basson. b

“A major challenge for emerging contractors is that the cost price of mining projects is generally high. In the end they have to contend with large capital costs to start off the project. This is where we come in – not only to help them to get started, but also to develop to become major participants in the industry.”

Ken Basson, Director Plant & Engineering at B&E International

TALKING POINT

Primary coal crushing station developed and operated by B&E International.

the priority is mainly long-term projects, which allow for creation of long-term partnerships. Long-term projects also give B&E International ample time to empower the JV partner through skills transfer. In long-term projects, B&E is also prepared to finance the project on behalf of the JV partner, depending on the feasibility. Technical experience Basson says B&E’s technical knowhow, developed over the years, is a big factor in ensuring the success of projects. “We have gained extensive experience in mineral processing over the years. We also have the capability to do the whole process in the mining value chain, depending on the client’s needs – all the

way from blasting and load and haul to processing,” says Basson. Leveraging these skills and experience, B&E International has since developed its own mobile, track-mounted coal crushing unit configured to the needs of the coal market. Basson says this is a bespoke unit that allows its partners to be competitive in coal processing. “It is specially adapted to the operational conditions in the coal industry, based on our many years of experience working in the industry,” he says. Explaining the key differentiators of the new mobile coal crusher, Basson says the 550 t per hour throughput capacity far exceeds that of similar sized crushers in the market. “The most important thing in

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