MechChem Africa May-June 2024

MATO conveyor belt fasteners and cleaners for Botswana Conveyor belt solutions company MATO Products, a Multotec Group company, is paving the way in the Botswana mining market with its innovative belt fastening systems, lacing equipment and belt cleaners. M ATO Products MD, Benjamin Sibanda, says that MATO sup ports its Botswana customers through dedicated sales engi than the six hours required for other splicing systems. This solution reduces operational downtime, which increases productivity – at a reduced cost. “The main advantage that customers gain from using MATO products and solutions is reduced downtime,” Sibanda points out. and durable products gives our customers peace of mind, as our joints often outlast the conveyor belt itself. In addition to this, our products are cost-effective compared to our competitors, who typically source their fasteners and lacing equipment from international suppliers.”

neers and the local Multotec infrastructure. The support includes a full scope of value added service including on-site assessments and installations, as well as aftersales service and maintenance. The products supplied are manufactured in MATO centres of compe tence in Germany, South Africa, and Australia. The MATO mechanical belt fastening sys tem comprises a lacing head and bed, a wire rope winch complete with 30 m of rope, a belt clamp, a belt cutter, a belt skiver, a wave master kit, lacing pins and fasteners. These elements combined are used to produce a cost-effective and durable mechanical splice. Sibanda notes that MATO’s belt fastening system delivers a seamless joint in less than 30 minutes, which is significantly less time

Headquartered in South Africa, MATO Products currently has a team of 24 em ployees, including a site supervisor and technicians who are available to customers in Botswana to perform assessments and provide aftersales service. The company has two service technicians based in Botswana and is currently looking to expand this team. “MATO is more than a belt lacing and cleaning systems supplier. We offer custom ers peace of mind as our solution will prolong their conveyor system’s life” concludes Sibanda. https://www.multotec.com

“Our belt cleaning system’s market share in Botswana is immensely strong, such that our Australia-based manufacturers and suppliers inform us that we buy more of their products than any other MATO Products company in the world,” says Sibanda. MATO currently supplies its conveyor belt solutions to two diamond mines, with an eye on a third company with two sites. He expects more opportunities to arise since other mines, which are currently locked into long-term contracts with their existing suppliers, have expressed interest in switch ing to MATO systems. “Providing reliable

18 ¦ MechChem Africa • May-June 2024