Capital Equipment News September 2016

ELECTRA MINING NEWS

Voith to unveil new materials-handling technology at Electra Mining

DRIVING SMART MINING SOLUTIONS AT EMA 2016

The TVVS Controlled- Fill Fluid Coupling is used mainly in belt conveyor drives. Voith has long provided fluid couplings for use in belt conveyors and crusher drives, in addition to its drive

Sandvik’s focus is on aftermarket services that nurture and improve operations.

solutions. In 2015, the company added mining conveying manufacturer Hese Maschinenfabrik’s systems to its portfolio. As a result, it is now able to offer a broader range of products for mining and materials-handling customers, which will all be showcased at Electra Mining Africa 2016. One of the major launches will be the Voith TurboBelt Hese pulleys. These are tech- nically and economically op- timised belt conveyor pulleys that are said to allow for a long product lifecycle. Hese pulleys have a service life of up to 10 years. Voith offers

customised pulleys for dif- ferent applications such as drive pulleys, tail pulleys and bend pulleys. The TVVS Controlled-Fill Fluid Coupling model, used mainly in belt conveyor drives, will also be on show. The couplings are used to ensure smooth start-up and to protect the drive against overload and dampen torsional vibration, thus preventing un- planned downtime and increas- ing the lifetime of drives. b

Africa’s changing mining landscape has necessitated a rethink of traditional methods and is guiding global mining technology group Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology to focus on smart solutions to improve overall mining efficiency. These services and products will form the basis of Sandvik’s presence at Electra Mining Africa 2016 this month. “Similarly, we will look at issues such as extending the life of equipment through various interventions, as well as introducing smart solutions that will help our customers manage their operations more cost-effectively,” says Andrew Main, strategic accounts manager for Southern Africa. “Tough trading conditions exist at present and we are adapting our focus to support mines to survive and thrive during this period. Our offerings have therefore become more centred on aftermarket services that nurture and improve operations, while finding efficiencies within existing and planned infrastructure.” In addition, Main explains that extraction of the continent’s mineral wealth is becoming ever-more challenging because of complexities within existing ore bodies. He believes that mechanisation is needed to maintain productivity levels for safe, cost-effective mining. The shortage of people wanting to work underground is also exacerbating the problem, which will inevitably lead to a necessary focus on mechanisation further down the line. “To mechanise means that operators are able to sit in comfort above ground and operate multiple pieces of equipment at the same time. Similarly, modern mine managers are able to ‘take the roof off their operations at any time’ to view what is happening underground and ensure smoother production, know the status and health of equipment, how much is being produced and if targets are being met,” says Main. “Mechanisation techniques have also evolved from a more fixed type of footprint to a more portable and flexible solution which makes it viable for a far wider range of mine types. Although it does have an impact on the jobs underground, it removes people from the danger areas and this provides safety benefits that far outweigh underground staffing issues. Jobs are also made up again on the support side and keeping the equipment and technologies running,” he adds. “Despite these and other challenges, Africa has special opportunities with huge potential for mechanisation. For this reason, mechanised mining tonnages are expected to increase over the next five years with the use of smart technologies optimising productivity. This is certainly the trend Sandvik is observing by working with customers on new and future operations,” says Main. b

Continental rolls in new mining tyres at EMA

Continental will use Electra Mining Africa to present a range of new specialty tyres for heavy mining and earthmoving vehicles, for the very first time. The company says it is intensifying its activities outside the automotive sector and further expanding its industrial business, working towards its strategic aim of achieving a balanced customer portfolio. In the future, technologies for construction and material handling machines and vehicles will come increasingly into focus, says Paul van Zyl, marketing and sales administration manager, ContiTech South Africa. “As Southern Africa’s largest mining, industry and electric trade show, Electra Mining Africa is a valuable opportunity to connect with customers across the conveyor belting, industrial hose and heavy automotive markets,” says Van Zyl. A range of light, heavy and special application belts will also form a central part of the company’s exhibition. Its heavy duty FortressXP conveyor belt is said to withstand arduous above- ground belting environments, with a new dual layer twill weave and improved yarn design for improved load bearing and greater rip, tear and impact resistance. The CoalFlo conveyor belts are solid woven belts for under- ground mining, available in both PVC and PVG. They are said to provide high resistance against impact and slitting, high vulcanised splice strength and can be configured for ascent or descent up to 12 º (PVC) and 15 º (PVG). b

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