The biggest Pilot Crushtec modular plant to have been built to date has been installed at a limestone operation in Ndola near Lusaka, Zambia. One of the key markets for the crushed limestone is acid neutralisation in the metallic mining sector in the country. Owned by local company Zamm Imports Ltd, the plant includes 18 Pilot Crushtec machines and was commissioned in late July 2010.Included in the deal was a Pilot Modular/TRIO MJ3042 jaw crusher, three Pilot Modular MC 1000 11m conveyors, a Pilot Modular MC1050 20m conveyor, a Pilot Modular DD4815 double deck screen, a Pilot Modular MC800 16m conveyor, a Pilot Modular MC800 20m conveyor, a Pilot Modular/TRIO MC130 standard cone crusher, a Pilot Modular MC130 short head cone crusher, a Pilot Modular MC1200 25m conveyor and a Pilot Modular/TRIO TD6118 triple deck screen.

The plant is initially being used to crush 2,000t/d of 0-5mm, 5-10mm, 10-19mm and 19-25mm limestone. “The Ndola area has the largest reserve of the finest quality limestone in Zambia and we will be using the plant to supply the booming construction sector and the mining sector, where the limestone is used to neutralise acid,” explained Zamm Imports owner Jignesh Soni.

The speed of delivery and installation impressed Zamm as the order was finalised in March and the plant was fully set up by the middle of June 2010. The modular design meant that Zamm did not have to carry out a large amount of civil works that may have been needed with a different design.

“After many enquiries to various South African and Chinese companies, I was shown the full range of Pilot Modular/TRIO crushers at Pilot Crushtec which particularly impressed me as this approach eliminates the need for any civil works, which can take up to a year to set up and commission,” he explained.

Zamm also has plans to expand further into crushing ores for the mining industry in the Zambian Copperbelt, and has said it will consider Pilot Crushtec equipment for these types of applications.