Modern Mining December 2024

Sections of chutes under construction in the Weba Chute Systems facility in Germiston, highlighting the company’s commitment to quality and precision in manufacturing.

under the impact point as well, and possibly also wearing plates at strategic points. Different sizes of lip liners are available to address this wear – from 80 mm wide and 16 mm thick, up to 150 mm wide by 50 mm thick. While this change of angle onto the first dead box will not necessarily change the flow pattern, it is likely to affect the speed of material through the chute, says Tintinger. It is therefore important to check the chute’s capacity to allow enough material still to pass through smoothly. “Conveyor speed also has an impact on the discharge of material, as there are potential risks such as dust creation and spillage when material leaves a chute faster,” he says. “Here, the material speed needs to be matched as closely as possible to the outgoing belt speed.” To achieve this goal, there are adjustments that can be made to the bottom section of the company’s chutes – to change the discharge angle. This flexibility at the outlet side can minimise the impact of material as it lands on the outgoing belt, reducing wear, dust and spillage. Tintinger highlights that decades of experience at Weba Chute Systems gives it the ability to add considerable value in solving customers’ materials handling challenges. Where a mine had already reached its maximum conveyor capacity but was still needing to load freight wagons faster, Weba Chute Systems was able to propose solutions. “This customer was looking at options such as wider conveyor belts and upgraded feeder design, and we were able to contribute our insights to ensure that the chutes complemented the new arrangement,” he says. n

Chutes being manufactured in the Weba Chute Systems facility in Germiston, where each design is customised to specific applications.

A technical advisor from Weba Chute Systems measures belt speed to ensure optimal material flow and minimal impact on the transfer chute.

DECEMBER 2024 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za  MODERN MINING  33