Modern Mining November 2022

growth and support in the region

ship loaders, truck unloaders, bulk reception feeders and telescopic stackers fast-tracking the evolution. Kruger explains that manual ship loading and offloading often takes up to two weeks. “However, with the adoption of Telestack’s range of mobile equipment, the turnaround time can be as little as two to three days. In fact, our client made the switch from mechanical ship-loading to Telestack’s mobile range and reaped the benefit of a 48-hour turn around time.” Essentially, the machines are larger, faster and more efficient compared to the static products which continue to be in use. The client is now investing in more Telestack products to ensure faster turnaround times. “It is important to note that the cost of the products can easily be written off in the first 18 – 24 months. In this growing global market, it is not always sufficient just to meet the customer needs; we aim to go beyond.” Looking ahead Astec Industries has an extensive footprint in Africa through its dealer network and services key areas on the continent. The company will continue to expand its footprint into new geographies offering its robust product range while providing back-up support and services, and improving its equipment range con tinuously to meet evolving customer needs. “Our business has done relatively well, even during the Covid pandemic, and 2022 has been an extremely encouraging year. Given that we currently have a number of initiatives in play, we anticipate that 2023 will deliver a favourable pipeline for the Telestack range of equipment,” concludes Kruger. 

to outlast standard industry products. This, in turn, guarantees that equipment has built-in longevity to lower the total cost of ownership significantly.” Given that mining companies face a typical 2 – 3% annual cost inflation, mining houses are keen to acquire products and equipment that reduce costs. Apart from offering long-life products, Telestack’s drive for continuous product improvement aligns with increased efficiency and the mining industry’s drive for zero harm. The equipment manufacturer’s range of mobile units is designed to be operated from a central point away from a mine, quarry or port, and can be relo cated easily to remote stations, or where required. The drive for efficiency requires that products need two people, at most, to manoeuvre the equipment for relocation. Further to this, Telestack offers the option to customise product features to meet the stringent safety requirements of the particular indus tries, such as mining. “In South Africa,” says Kruger, “Telestack’s pit to-port equipment range is gaining momentum, showing a marked uptake in the loading and off loading of bulk materials such as manganese and coal at the various ports. Telestack’s range of equip ment offers product sizes of up to 3 500 t, which allows for the transport of large quantities of product in a single haul. This translates to greater volumes, improved efficiencies and shorter delivery time frames, which means that the products reach the end-user much faster.” The move from manual to mobile stacking at ports continues to evolve with Telestack’s mobile

Above: Telestack machines are larger, faster and more efficient when compared to the static products. Left: Telestack equipment in operation at an aggregate operation in the UK.

Manual ship loading and offloading often takes up to two weeks, but with the adoption of Telestack’s range of mobile equipment, the turnaround time can be as little as 2 – 3 days.

November 2022  MODERN MINING  7