Modern Quarrying Q1 2025

While both delivery and commissioning were on time, the logistical process of transporting such a large plant to the DRC was not without its challenges. “The biggest hurdle was that the plant constituted a lot of equipment – it is the biggest we have ever done. We therefore had to split the delivery into three shipments comprising between 10 to 12 trucks per shipment to free up space in our workshop,” explains Warren. In addition, transporting the plant to site came with its fair share of challenges, especially the border-related delays. Making use of two transporters with knowledge of this challenging logistical environment was helpful. “Cross-border shipments to the DRC are also not new to Pilot Crushtec. We have experienced personnel to manage this, while the customer helped with pre clearance and all the other necessary paperwork in the DRC. Close collaboration between Pilot Crushtec, the customer and the transporters was key to smooth delivery in the face of several challenges,” he says. In such an environment where logistics can be a nightmare, the customer keeps a sizeable inventory of most critical wear and spare parts on site to avoid possible production disruptions. With most of the equipment on the new plant very similar to what is on the customer’s existing plant, parts commonality increases operational flexibility and reduces procurement and logistical costs for the customer. “This project is testimony that the Pilot Modular concept works well for the African environment suppliers need their crushing and screening solutions as a matter of urgency. The Pilot Modular solution is quick to deploy and set up, and it does not need a whole lot of civil works and extensive infrastructure to set up,” concludes Francois Marais, Sales and Marketing Director at Pilot Crushtec. l where large infrastructure projects are on the go and

CRUSHING AND SCREENING

The recently commissioned greenfields aggregate plant for Pilot Crushtec’s customer in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Pilot Modular Nordberg HP300 cone crusher module.

HP300, a high capacity machine known for not only for its to take large feed sizes but also its large throw which provides for a decent material shape at the secondary stage of crushing. “Making use of Metso HP cone crushers and correct reduction ratios ensures that the end product has the best possible shape without having to deploy a vertical shaft impact (VSI) crusher,” says Warren. From the HP300, material is sent to a twin surge hopper comprising two Pilot Modular MFH25 feed hoppers. From here, material is fed onto two separate screens, the Pilot Modular Metso CVB2060-3M units, where fines are further removed. Any oversize material is recirculated to two Metso HP200 cone crushers via two MFH25 surge hoppers located on either side of the two screens. From the HP200 crushers, material is conveyed back to the two screens for final screening, where four product sizes – 0-6 mm, 6-10 mm, 10-15 mm and 15-25 mm – are stockpiled.

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