Capital Equipment News February 2020

SANY excavators take arduous mining applications head on

the scrubber’s rotational speed. “We can therefore simulate the actual operating conditions of the scrubber, as well as the performance of the head and shell liners,” he says. “Upon our assessment of the results, it was found we needed a different configuration of liners to the previous one in this application. In fact, the solution was a uniquely designed liner configuration – quite different to what is traditionally used.” b Multotec combines experience and expertise with the results of Rocky DEM to provide fit for application solutions. medium excavator features an auto deceleration system that reduces fuel consumption by 5% to 10%. When an operation stops for 3,5 seconds, the engine speed drops automatically to idle level, and maintains this idling state. The strengthened structure makes it an efficient and robust machine for a range of applica- tions. The dual-pump, dual-circuit constant power control system means that the Isuzu engine produces a continuously strong operating force. Other excavators in the range include the 50 t SY500H and the 76 t SY750, both with greater breakout forces and digging depths for larger mining operations. Additional features to boost productivity include bigger buckets and increased engine power. Commenting on the current state of the mining industry, Leith highlights the growth in contract mining with a high number of new entrants. “We have found that there has been an increase in mining activities, as seen in increased sales over the past few months.” This is particularly encouraging given the slow state of the economy, combined with the reluctance of banks to finance yellow metal. “However, we are able to assist contractors in this regard by having access to our own in-house finance, which has proved to be a major differentiator for us,” Leith concludes. b

SANY excavators are growing in popularity in the local mining sector.

Excavators from SANY, distributed locally by Goscor Earthmoving (GEM), are ideal for arduous mining applications such as iron ore, chrome, and manganese, GEM sales consultant Murray Leith comments. “These are strong, reliable machines with simplified electronic components, giving operators minimal downtime,” he says. GEM also has qualified service technicians in all major mining areas to look after the machines. An example of GEM’s recent successes in these mining segments include supplying In one of its largest scrubber installations to date, a phosphate mine in Morocco is benefitting from Multotec Rubber’s depth of expertise and experience in the field of scrubber liners. The scrubbers measure 6,5 m in diameter and 11 m in length – large dimensions necessitated by the process plant throughput of 12-million tonnes per annum. The installation, conducted during the first quarter of 2019, was done in response to a serious challenge faced by the customer. The existing head plates were wearing out at double the rate of the shell plates. This was leading to additional maintenance shutdowns during the life of the liners, with the associat- ed extra costs. According to Mohamed Trabelsi, senior sales engineer at Multotec Rubber, the collaboration with the customer included sending a highly competent Multotec team to site to first assess the situation. Multotec already had a longstanding relationship with the customer at this process plant, with Multotec trommel screens having operated successfully at plant for over three years.

“Our team of engineers were on site to gather vital operating information including throughput tonnages, particle size, charge levels and rotational speed,” says Trabelsi. “We also assessed the variable speed drive system.” This data was processed using the latest simulation software – Rocky DEM – in which Multotec Rubber has made a significant investment. Leveraged by well qualified engineers, this software can simulate the full lifecycle of liners and predict when the scrub- ber will no longer perform efficiently. “By combining our experience and expertise with the results of Rocky DEM, we are able to provide the industry with fit-for-application solutions,” he says. Rocky DEM allows engineers to ac- curately simulate all operating param- eters in the scrubber. These include the shape and size of ore particles in the slurry being fed into the scrubber slurry, the charge level, the linings, attrition rates, particle trajectories and two SANY SY335 medium excavators to a chrome mining contractor in Limpopo. In the Northern Cape, the Kathu branch is heavily involved with major mining houses for their manganese operations. In tough operating conditions, equip- ment must be highly reliable, which is where SANY’s philosophy of using only world-class components like Isuzu engines and Kawasaki hydraulics comes into its own. With an emphasis on cost-effectiveness, the SANY SY335C

Multotec expertise cuts wear at phosphate plant

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS FEBRUARY 2020