Modern Mining May 2018

CRUSHING, SCREENING AND MILLING

allow for their seamless integration into exist- ing information management platforms.” Commenting on the state of the market, Goosen says that conditions in mining remain tight. “Much is being said about the importance of creating regulatory certainty within the min- ing industry and as a supplier to ‘mining SA’ we are cautiously optimistic that the key role players will drive Mining Charter 3 to a sustain- able conclusion in the timeframe committed to by Minister Gwede Mantashe. “Despite the headwinds that are still evi- dent, we are targeting 10 % growth annually and believe this is a realistic objective,” he con- tinues. “We’ve started the year very strongly, with our apron feeders leading the charge. Our reputation as the supplier of choice when it comes to apron feeders to the South African mining industry is now starting to open up markets for us internationally. In the year to date, we have received orders for the supply of apron feeders into Spain, Ghana and the DRC. We’re very excited to have won the Spanish order, given the fact that we had to compete against all the big European manufacturers on their home turf. “In addition to the international orders, we have secured a number of local orders where our ability and willingness to customise our offering gave us a competitive edge. An example is the supply of apron feeders to a South African coal mine that are 1,5 m x 14 m in size and have been customised to meet the client’s requirements. Features include special paint, galvanising and guards, customer-specific drives and tailormade auto lubrication systems.” Osborn’s line-up of locally designed and manufactured equipment supports each step within the comminution process. Apart from the popular apron feeders (which can be supplied with either electro-mechanical or hydraulic drives), the company offers jaw and cone crushers, roll crushers, mineral sizers, grizzly feeders, rotary breakers and vibrating screens, all manufactured at the Elandsfontein facility and all with a reputation for toughness and durability. The single biggest unit the company manu- factures is the Hadfields 80 x 60 single toggle jaw crusher which can handle up to 2 m x 1,5 m feed size and throughputs in excess of 1 600 t/h. The 140-tonne machine has carved out an impressive market share in the coal min- ing industry in particular where, says Goosen, it is regarded as the primary crusher of choice. Osborn also, of course, has access to all the equipment designed and manufactured by its sister companies within the Astec Industries

A typical Osborn apron feeder. This year alone, the company has secured orders for apron feeders from Spain, Ghana and the DRC, as well as South Africa.

group. Says Goosen: “The bulk of our turnover comes from our South African-manufactured equipment – which is designed to cope with our local rock conditions which differ considerably from those typically encountered in the US – but we do represent all our sister companies, including KPI-JCI and Telsmith. Currently, for example, we are quoting a South African cus- tomer on a mobile crushing plant. If successful, we would import this in its entirety from KPI- JCI in the US.” Finally, Goosen mentions that the aftermar- ket remains a key part of the Osborn business. “We’re installing machines that can last for decades so servicing them and supplying spares is extremely important to us – it accounts for a major part of our revenue. In all honesty, we have lost some business to third-party sup- pliers – particularly on wear parts – but we’re determined to regain this. We’re working very hard to ensure that our pricing and levels of ser- vice are such that customers never feel the need to look beyond Osborn. We’re not quite there yet but we’re making good headway and we see the aftermarket as a significant area of growth for the company going forward.” Report by Arthur Tassell, photos courtesy of Osborn

Two Osborn 24 cone crushers at a diamond operation in Botswana.

In the year to date, we have

received orders for the supply of apron feeders into Spain, Ghana and the DRC.

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May 2018  MODERN MINING  41