Multotec is in the final stages of the development of a flameproof air-cooled overbelt magnet for underground tramp iron removal. It is poised for the go-ahead to manufacture and supply this innovative new product as soon as it receives certification from Mining And Surface Certification (MASC), a company endorsed by South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources to act as a certification authority on the standards applicable to this project.
Multotec’s Ernst Maritz says: “In line with our company’s commitment to innovation and safety in mining, we took a decision about two years ago to embark on the development of a flameproof air-cooled overbelt magnet. We’re very excited about the progress made to date and we expect to receive the required certification in the first quarter of this year. The certification confirms that the product complies with SANS 10108 Edition 5, which refers to flameproof equipment used underground.”
Maritz was recently tasked with internally merging two of Multotec’s process technology activities under a dedicated process equipment division and the outcome is a highly streamlined manufacturing operation focused on supplying the most appropriate products to the mining industry – specifically the coal sector.
“We’re now able to deliver faster turnaround times from our newly expanded refurbishment and servicing facility,” he says. “Magnetic separation is one of our primary specialities and the internal merger has pooled the extensive knowledge of both teams into one value-added team. ”
The company says its “steadily increasing process equipment market share is a direct result of continuous R&D and the resultant world leading technical innovations which are boosting efficiencies across the board. Every product is performing at a consistently high level in the mining, mineral processing and power generation industries. Along with an extensive product offering in process equipment, a highly qualified team of process engineers provide optimum technical solutions and high levels of advice and support.
“In the process equipment arena, Multotec’s strength in the marketplace also derives from our broad scope of mineral processing and distribution equipment used for both classification and dense medium applications across a range of multiple minerals.”
Multotec manufactures filtration equipment specifically for coal and water treatment plants. These filters are fully automated, requiring less operator intervention which results in shorter cycle times, higher safety and less human error. A variety of other solid and liquid separation solutions are on offer including Siebtechnik centrifuges that are manufactured under licence or imported from Germany, depending on the type of machine. The company recently sold a stainless steel vibrating screen centrifuge that will be put to work at a salt operation in Kenya in May 2012.
Multotec manufactures Ishigaki polishing filters under licence and is the sole agent to import fully automatic Ishigaki filter presses. The FW polishing filter is unique in that its footprint is far smaller than that of similar equipment and it has a high solids capture rate.
Over the last few years, the company has improved on the designs of its own Seprotech Rapid Filter Press, which is proving a valuable addition to this range of equipment. The SRF fills like any conventional filter press with top corner feed but, if required, membrane squeeze takes place at the end of the dewatering cycle to further dewater the filter cakes. This unique filter is environmentally friendly as it does not utilise hydraulics to close the filter press and therefore has a specific application in water-sensitive applications by eliminating the danger of oil spillage.
Multotec has test facilities available for the testing of centrifuges in fine and coarse coal. As part of the company’s value-add, clients are offered comprehensive after-sales field service and maintenance contracts which include servicing and repair work that is quickly and efficiently completed on the centrifuges and filter presses with minimum downtime.
Multotec today occupies a respected position in the magnetic separation arena. Mechanical design work is ongoing to establish the brand even further in the industry with a focus on low intensity magnetic separators (LIMS) featuring an optional capability of lining wet drums with ceramic linings instead of metal wear wrap. A significant amount of engineering work is also being applied to the Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separation (WHIMS) range. As a result of this continuous development work, in early 2012 Multotec secured an order for two WHIMS machines for use in an iron ore application in India.