Modern Mining April 2017

PRODUCT News

Custom chute systems supplied to diamond mine

The ability to engineer transfer points for individual application requirements within a plant is a major differentiator for Weba Chute Systems, and it is this capability that enabled the South African OEM to supply a total of 13 custom chute systems to a diamond mine in Botswana. The 13 new Weba Chute Systems, which will replace existing aging transfer points, have been designed taking all opera- tional factors into account. According to Werner Baller, founder and CEO of Weba Chute Systems, these transfer points are engineered for optimum material throughput as well as reliability. “The replace- ment chutes form part of an upgrade being done to the plant and will assist the operation to increase production,” he says. “When designing the new Weba Chute Systems, our engineers placed emphasis on the longevity of the transfer points which are operating in harsh wet conditions,” Baller explains. All the chutes will be manufactured from 3CR12 stainless steel. Weba Chute Systems specialises in the cus- tom design of transfer point solutions and, regardless of belt speed, belt width, material size, shape or throughput, the final chute sys- tem solution eliminates problems associated with conventional transfer chutes. Global pump manufacturer KSB Pumps and Valves has established an independent oper- ation in Zambia to ensure that its rapidly expanding customer base has full access to the company’s sales and support services. It was previously represented by a network of agencies and dealers throughout the country. According to KSB Pumps and Regional Sales Manager, David Jones, the formal estab- lishment of KSB Zambia is aimed at taking the market to an entirely new level with improved stock holdings, shorter lead times for the pro- curement of pumps, improved price stability and onsite service and support for customers. “We rather elected to buy a control- ling share in Kitwe-based pump company, Aqua Africa, that is well-established in the Copperbelt and is a well-liked company in Zambia,” he says. “Simultaneously we also established a branch in Lusaka that will cater largely for

An illustration of the secondary screen chute.

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Of the 13 chutes, six will be installed in the screening house where these transfer points will handle the oversize material at a rate of between 1 200 and 1 500 tph. The undersize product reports via conveyor from the screen- ing house to a 600 t bin which feeds the DMS plant. This minus 30 mm product is transferred at a rate of 600 tph. The final three chutes feed the tailings plant; two of which are split chutes allowing material to be fed either to the tailings plant or to a pilot plant on the mine. The third chute feeds only the tailings plant. Mark Baller, Weba Chute Systems, tel (+27 11) 827-9372 the agricultural market, as well as being well positioned to support water and infrastruc- tural requirements of the residential and industrial markets. Now that the bricks and mortar are in we are planning to double our efforts and reach out to existing and new cus- tomers and we think the market is going to like what they see.” KSB Zambia MD Alf Jacobsen says that when KSB approached him it was an easy decision to make as it was a move in the right direction for his company, as well as for the Zambian pump market. “Right now agricul- ture is in a strong position and there is a lot of room for us to grow that part of the market. Similarly, mining will always be a strong focus here in the Copperbelt and with full access to the entire range of KSB pumps and slurry pumps it bodes well for us to grow this sector in future.” KSB, tel (+27 11) 876- 5600

Pump manufacturer invests in Zambia

+27 11 608 4801 sizers@mmdafrica.co.za www.mmdsizers.com

April 2017  MODERN MINING  47