Modern Mining May 2020

CRUSHING, SCREENING AND MILLING

rapid and accurate installation.”

“After our redesign to suit the local conditions, the TUS met the customer’s expectations and the unit continues to operate in a reliable and cost-effective manner, while throughput conformance has been exceeded.” A milestone project for Pilot Crushtec involved the DoppiaTrac DR400, which Abelho says was one of the world’s first mobile double-rolls crushers, if not the first, designed and built for the coal industry. “Uncertain demand means that mines often require contractors on site to boost production without having to invest in major new plant. Mine con- tractors can now process coal to Eskom standards, while minimising fines using mobile equipment,” he says. “Should the mine require additional production, its contractors can now mobilise and establish a site within hours as a direct result of market interest in taking the double-roll crusher methodology and cre- ating this mobile plant setup.” He says the company’s engineers invested time in research and development, understood the ore characteristics, the parts required, the crushing methodology and others, and were able to “take that idea and convert it into a now-standardised product, which has effectively become available off the shelf.” The company has also recently developed a modular low-level apron feeder for clients to tip into, so avoiding the requirement for civils structures. “It started as a client request and, after some evaluation by our product committee, we identified an opportunity for a product that could solve many of our clients’ problems. Two units have been supplied and a third is currently in production. “Interestingly, the first two units are for use in a diamond mining application, while the third unit is meant for a coal operation. The fact that the clients opted for a standardised solution means that they will have better insight into the operating param- eters. Lead times, too, are shorter, the parts supply is stable and the unit dimensions are well known for

Pilot Crushtec’s Metso Lokotrack ST4.8.

Parting shots Schoepflin says Kwatani’s products and services can be thought of in terms of their relation to the three industrial revolutions, the first of which concen- trated on the production of goods while the second focused on mass production. The focus of the Third Industrial Revolution was mass customisation of goods and services. “Looking ahead and upon the commencement of real-time decisions, the internet of things, artifi- cial intelligence, mobile networks and other digital technologies, cost effective customisation has been empowered significantly, but this means progressing customisation into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will include real-time customisation.” She says that, with the advance of artificial intel- ligence, the Fourth Industrial Revolution will allow for multiple activities to be tackled simultaneously, in real-time and in a customised manner. Sandvik’s Schoeman agrees that technology is opening up opportunities to provide high-level tech- nical support remotely, by using innovations such as interactive goggles linking mine personnel to the experts. “This allows closer and more hands-on inter- vention and support where the customer demands it. We can also share valuable technical insights regu- larly, in video format and through popular platforms such as WhatsApp. These value-added services are increasingly in demand as part of the bouquet of cus- tomised service offerings.” He says Sandvik’s success in customising solu- tions lies with its commitment to R&D through a technological road map which guides the company’s product development into the future. “This process draws data from our on-site experi- ence and regular customer surveys. What we learn is fed into our technical and executive meetings which drive our innovation efforts continuously.” Basson says B&E International’s approach and solutions have an important application among

feature

30  MODERN MINING  May 2020