Tag Archives: bulk handling

BEUMER Group helps coal miners with environmental impact, optimal stockpiling

Bulk handling, Coal technology, Environmental, IoT, Mine operation news, Mine surveying, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , ,

The combination of BEUMER Group’s sophisticated modelling techniques and use of drones has enabled Knight Hawk Coal’s Prairie Eagle mine, in the Illinois Basin of USA, to reduce its long-term environmental impact.

Drone technology is being used more frequently during project planning, implementation and documentation to optimise the design phase, according to BEUMER. The recorded aerial photos are reconciled with regards to their perspective and evaluated photogrammetrically.

The software calculates a point cloud in order to generate 3D models from the 2D views, ie digital terrain models, allowing stockpile designs to be generated for both greenfield and brownfield developments.

Opened in 2005 as a surface mine, Prairie Eagle was expanded over time to include two underground mines, Knight Hawk’s main coal preparation plant and multiple truck load-out facilities. Now one of the most efficient underground mining plants in the US, according to BEUMER, it produces around 5 Mt/y of coal, of which more than 80% is processed and delivered to the Prairie Eagle preparation plant.

Management was looking for a more sustainable operating solution that reduced its reliance on truck transportation, according to Andrea Prevedello, System Technology Global Sales Director, BEUMER Group, Germany.

“We provided an overland conveyor that transports the coal from the mine to the main processing plant,” he said. “Our conveyor helps the company to considerably reduce its ecological footprint. With this technology, Knight Hawk can significantly reduce its long-term environmental impact compared to using truck transportation.”

BEUMER’s solution at the mine features a single-flight curved conveying system that eliminates the cost of tower steel, and greatly reduces the quantity of components and necessary spare parts, according to the company. It reduces the dust, noise, maintenance and operating costs associated with the transfer points, BEUMER said.

BEUMER not only supplied the conveying solution to Knight Hawk. As a system supplier, the company also supported the mining group in building a stockpile for hard coal.

“The requirements for storing coal are obviously very different from other materials,” Prevedello said. Some of the requirements change if the stockpile is covered and if explosion-proof equipment is needed. Hard coal is very susceptible to spontaneous combustion, which is why the height of the stockpile must, in certain cases, be limited.

Depending on the customer, stockpile dimensions and design can vary. Two layouts are generally available: circular and longitudinal.

“Their dimensioning and design depend on the purpose of the stockpile,” Prevedello said. Space availability and possible future expansions are also critical factors.

The application must also be considered: does, like Knight Hawk, the customer want to store the bulk material temporarily, then continuously feed it for further processing? “Then longitudinal stockpiles are your best choice,” Prevedello said. These structures can also be extended, if necessary, according to BEUMER. The irregular flow of bulk material arrives at the stockpile and can then be continuously introduced to the process.

Circular stockpiles are frequently used for other bulk materials, eg limestone and clay.

Once the layout of the stockpile has been decided on, the next task is to stack the bulk material efficiently. BEUMER also provided these components, such as the stacker, to Prairie Creek.

“Depending on its mobility, the systems can be categorised into three groups,” Prevedello said. The stacker can be stationary, travel on rails, or be circular with endless movement.

If the machine is circular with endless movement, it is positioned on a column in the centre of the stockpile. Over a conveyor bridge installed above the stockpile, the material is transported directly into the axis of rotation of the stacker, and from there distributed centrally. Depending on the stacking method, the boom conveyor can be fixed, or it can be lifted and tilted.

The stacking method of choice depends on whether the bulk material is only temporarily stored, or if it also needs to be blended.

“For simple stockpiling without blending, we provided the simple ‘cone shell method’,” Prevedello said. The stacker only moves up and down, ie does not slew, and the stacker design can be simplified. This method works for longitudinal as well as circular stockpiles, according to BEUMER.

For blending the bulk material, the ‘Chevron method’ can be used. The boom of the stacker starts in its lowest position; the first row is deposited in the centre of the stockpile and the next rows are layered on it. In longitudinal stockpiles, the stacker usually moves in a tilting and slewing motion; in circular stockpiles, the stacker moves in a circulating and luffing motion.

Prevedello said: “The perfect system solution is always an optimal relation between stacker and reclaimer.” Reclaimers such as side reclaimers or bucketwheel reclaimers remove the material as necessary. The best option for the customer depends, again, on the stockpiling task at the end.

Side reclaimers work for both types of stockpiles – longitudinal or circular – with the bulk material reclaimed from the front or the side. When reclaiming from the side, scraper chains move the material on a belt conveyor. Front reclaiming usually uses a rake that, in small side-to-side movements, pushes the material on a scraper chain to be transported further to the conveyor, BEUMER explained. The advantage is the bulk material is reclaimed from the entire cross-sectional area. Bucketwheel reclaimers are generally used when the bulk material, especially large quantities, needs to be blended.

Each operator has their own specific requirements when it comes to the stockpile and stockyard machines.

This is shown in a project BEUMER engineers are currently implementing for a customer in the energy industry. The order includes the delivery of several conveyors, including pipe conveyors, and a ship loader. The challenge: “On the ground where we will install our solution, there can be violent gusts of wind,” Prevedello said. “That’s why we pay special attention to the dimensioning of the steel structure.”

The system provider will be able to hand over a tailor-made system to the customer, with investment expenditure tailored precisely to them, according to BEUMER, which said the expected commissioning is scheduled for the September quarter of 2020.

Martin Engineering brings automation to conveyor belt maintenance game

Automation, Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining safety, Mining services, , , , , , ,

Martin Engineering has announced a belt cleaner position indicator that monitors the blade, tracking and reporting remaining service life in conveyor and bulk material handling applications.

The Martin N2® Position Indicator (PI) monitors primary belt cleaner blades, notifying Martin Engineering service technicians and plant operations personnel when re-tensioning or replacement is required and/or when abnormal conditions occur.

The PI can be part of a new installation or directly retrofitted to existing mainframes that use the company’s replacement blades, the company said, with managers and service technicians able to quickly access information on any networked cleaner via cell phone.

“With approximately 1,000 operating systems currently in service and installations continuing daily, the technology has been embraced by bulk material handlers in a wide range of industries and applications,” Martin Engineering said.

The N2 Position Indicator was designed in-house by the engineering team at Martin’s Center for Innovation, and the firm also engineered and built the proprietary equipment used to manufacture the new devices.

Martin offers the equipment, monitoring service and batteries free of charge to qualifying customers, it said. “The company will also support the PI components and provide customer alerts without cost as needed, with mainframes and tensioners replaced free for users of Martin belt cleaner blades,” the company added.

Martin Engineering Global Marketing Director, Brad Pronschinske, said: “There are no annual maintenance fees, and no add-on charges for cell phone access. Most customers using our cleaner blades can take advantage of this technology.”

Position indicators can be mounted anywhere from 3-800 m from the cellular gateway and the robust, sealed construction means it is virtually immune from damage, according to Martin Engineering. Up to 50 units can be monitored by a single gateway connecting to the Internet, usually located at the highest point in the plant, where the cell signal is strongest. The system does not require a cellular line for each PI, instead communicating via radio frequency from each sensor to the gateway.

Operating independently of any plant communications infrastructure, the small physical size and low power requirements deliver a projected battery life of two years, according to Martin Engineering, with the self-contained model developed by Martin Engineering in order to minimise the dependency on in-plant resources. Only the gateway requires a constant 110 V power point, it said.

The company explained: “The device eliminates the need for manual inspections by giving technicians precise information, delivering critical real-time intelligence and reducing exposure to moving conveyors, improving both efficiency and safety. Maintenance planning is simplified by having detailed information available on demand, allowing service personnel to deliver and install replacement wear parts during scheduled outages.”

Alerts are also provided automatically when a blade change is required; re-tensioning is needed; a cleaner has been backed off the belt; there is an abnormal condition; a substantial change in temperature occurs; and batteries need replacement.

The PI is just one component of the company’s push to develop new and evolving technologies to improve bulk material handling and reduce the associated hazards, Martin Engineering said. It is within the same product family as Martin’s automatic tensioning system to continuously maintain optimum blade pressure without any operator intervention.

“This capability is a true enabler, bringing a number of benefits,” Pronschinske said. “Belt cleaner inspection time is basically eliminated as maintenance personnel no longer need to physically view the cleaner to determine the tension or wear status. It also reduces the time workers need to spend near the moving conveyor, helping to minimise the potential for accidents.”

Pronschinske described the innovation as a game-changer in the industry, with a positive impact on productivity, operating costs and safety. “Relying on actual operating conditions instead of human judgement to monitor blade wear and tension for optimal cleaning performance, the indicator maximises the blade’s usable surface area and reports with certainty when a blade is nearing the end of its useful life,” the company said. “Delivering instant, continuous feedback while eliminating guesswork – tracking the individual performance and status of each cleaner – the detailed history also provides a maintenance log with service dates and work performed.”

The result is an improved return on belt cleaner investments, according to Martin Engineering.

Replacement parts can be scheduled for just-in-time delivery, and installation can occur during planned downtime instead of emergency stoppages.

Pronschinske said: “By monitoring the rotation of the belt cleaner mainframe, the N2 PI helps managers plan tensioner adjustments and blade replacements during scheduled outages.”

Manufactured from a proprietary grade of polyurethane resistant to bumps, shocks and knocks, the PI device is extremely robust, according to Martin Engineering. It can handle a typical mining environment, the company says, and the device can be installed inside or outside the transfer chute. It has also been designed to operate in challenging ambient environments found at operator sites, such as handling wet and sticky materials.

“The system recognises how much rotation is acceptable before tensioner adjustment is required,” Pronschinske explained. “It allows our service technicians to know exactly when a belt cleaner needs replacement, even before the customer does. And, if excessive movement is detected on any cleaner, an alarm notice will automatically be sent to alert operators to check it immediately.”

The software tracks and displays blade status, remaining life, next scheduled tensioning, run time, wear rate, cleaner model, blade type and several other details, the company says.

Flexco and Uptake devise new predictive analytics tool for conveyor belts

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining software, , , ,

Flexco says it has introduced a new innovative, real-time monitoring system that harnesses the power of predictive analytics so mining, aggregate, and cement operations can remotely gather critical insights to optimise belt conveyor productivity and heighten operational efficiencies.

Flexco Elevate™ Belt Conveyor Intelligence™ is a wireless platform that transfers data insights to an intuitive cloud-based dashboard via edge technology, allowing remote monitoring of belt cleaners, according to the company. With intelligence that grows over time, this easy-to-use platform is designed to simplify and accelerate belt maintenance using its powerful, data-driven engine, Flexco says.

Chip Winiarski, Vice President of Marketing at Flexco, said: “Flexco has a 110-year history of innovation, working alongside our customers to deliver solutions that are in alignment with their operational goals. We are proud to introduce Flexco Elevate. It’s the first technology solution of its kind and will quickly bring increased efficiencies and improved productivity to our customers’ operations.”

Created in partnership with Uptake, an industrial AI and IoT data science leader, Flexco Elevate reduces the need for on-site inspections and allows operations to access real-time insights remotely from an intuitive dashboard, so users are able to quickly address belt conveyor performance issues and minimise unexpected downtime.

“The insights pipeline begins by installing a state-of-the-art Flexco Elevate i3 Device to the end of each Flexco belt cleaner where cutting-edge analytics are immediately aggregated and processed,” Flexco says. “The information is then wirelessly transferred to the Flexco Elevate Dashboard where operations have immediate, remote access to action-oriented insights and service information for all of the Flexco cleaners throughout the operation.”

Flexco Elevate alters the way operations are run and the solution’s multi-faceted benefits streamline internal processes, according to the company. They include:

  • Increased Productivity: the Elevate solution makes it easy to manage belt cleaner service;
  • ROI from day one: data insights are immediately transferred to the dashboard so operations realise operational efficiency from day one;
  • Improved safety: the Flexco Elevate solution reduces the need for dangerous physical inspections along beltlines;
  • Asset management: digital mapping of installed Flexco cleaners provides visibility of assets for more efficient resource planning;
  • No guesswork: the operations team knows exactly what, when, and where service is needed;
  • Leverages existing assets: the Elevate platform works with existing Flexco belt cleaners – no additional investment in cleaners is required; and
  • Remarkably easy: installation and activation in as little as five minutes for a user-friendly experience.

Flexco ready to present bulk handling products, expertise at CONEXPO

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, , , , , ,

Flexco says it will address splicing, cleaning, tracking, and belt slippage needs at the upcoming CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 event, held in Las Vegas, on March 10-14, 2020, in addition to discussing the future of belt conveyor technology for heavy duty applications in various industries.

The company’s booth at the event will feature a full-size conveyor, as well as interactive displays to help attendees better understand the features and benefits of Flexco product solutions, it said. Live demonstrations of conveyor rip repair and 45-degree fastener installation, using the Flexco Bolt Solid Plate Fastening system, will also take place.

Flexco will be showcasing a variety of products designed to increase efficiency and decrease downtime.

The Flexco Wash Box is designed to deliver superior cleaning efficiency in applications where the conveyor must be very clean or when head-end cleaning is not enough. Mounted on the return side of the belt, hinged doors are available on each side for easy inspection.

The Y-Type™ Secondary Cleaner (pictured) will also be highlighted on the booth this year. With standard and heavy-duty options available, the Y-Type offers multiple blade options and easy maintenance at an affordable price, according to Flexco.

And, if miners are having dust containment issues at the load zone, the company says they should stop by the Flexco booth for more information on the Flexco Enclosed Skirt System and Dual Seal Polyurethane Skirting.

At this year’s booth, Flexco also plans to introduce its new TUG™ HD® Belt Clamps, designed to secure the belt for repair, meeting the most stringent safety test standards. Available in 5.4 t and 7.3 t versions, TUG HD Belt Clamps provide even tensioning across the entire belt width for ultimate strength, according to the company. Modular components, meanwhile, allow for increased versatility and portability.

The Flex-Lifter™ Belt Lifter, 900 Series Belt Cutter, and Cordless Electric Belt Cutter round out the group of products designed for safer belt conveyor maintenance that will be highlighted on the Flexco booth this year.

Martin Engineering on confined safe entry for chutes, silos and hoppers

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining safety, , , , , ,

Martin Engineering, a global innovator in the bulk material handling industry, is urging operators to locate safe access points before attempting to unblock chutes, silos and hoppers in order to prevent potential accidents on site.

As the company says, many factors can cause bulk materials to adhere to the sides of chutes, silos and hoppers – including humidity, moisture content, size/texture of the raw material or increased production volume – resulting in lost capacity or clogging.

Ongoing accumulation reduces flow and eventually stops production in order to address the issue, causing expensive downtime and requiring extra labour to clear the obstruction.

Martin Engineering Product Engineer, Daniel Marshall, said: “Clearing extensive build up often involves confined space entry, but the consequences of untrained staff entering a chute, silo or hopper can be disastrous, including physical injury, burial and asphyxiation.

“Without proper testing, ventilation and safety measures, entering vessels containing combustible dust could even result in a deadly explosion.”

What is confined space entry?

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines “confined space” as an area not designed for continuous employee occupancy and large enough for an employee to enter and perform assigned work, but with limited or restricted means for entry or exit. “Permit-required confined space” means a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:

  • The vessel contains or has the potential of containing a hazardous atmosphere such as exposure to explosive dust, flammable gas, vapour, or mist in excess of 10% of its lower flammable limit;
  • Atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5%, or above 23.5%;
  • There is the potential for material to engulf, entrap or asphyxiate an entrant by inwardly converging walls or by a door which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or
  • Contains any other recognised serious safety or health hazards.

Entering a confined space

Working in confined spaces typically requires special personnel training, safety harness and rigging, extensive preparation and added personnel for a ‘buddy system’.

Marshall continued: “Systems designed to minimise permit-required confined spaces can provide a significant return on investment and the best time to reduce the amount of confined-space entry for component maintenance and replacement is during the specification and design stages of a project.”

Many manufacturers offer systems and products that can reduce the need for confined space entry.

Examples would include:

  • Modular chute designs with abrasion-resistant liners;
  • Chutes that hinge open and lay down for liner replacement;
  • Skirtboards with external liners;
  • Belt cleaners that can be serviced without confined space entry;
  • Flow aids such as air cannons and vibrators to reduce build up; and
  • Modular air cleaners for specific locations rather than centralised dust collection.

Global regulations, standards and best practices

Rules regarding confined space entry vary greatly depending on the country, even down to the state, province or prefecture level. As always, regional and local codes should be identified and followed, but general rules can be drawn from regulations established in major industrial markets such as Australia/New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Commonalities between governmental regulations provide employers with a measured approach to safety.

Prior to starting the job, these procedures include:

  • Review the permit and the job-specific work procedures;
  • Gather and inspect all necessary PPE;
  • Test and/or calibrate any safety gear, test instrumentation or communication tools;
  • If a current Job Safety Analysis or safety check list does not exist, perform a risk assessment;
  • Hold a pre-job meeting making sure all workers are aware of the hazards and safe work practices;
  • Conduct proper tests for toxins, vapour, dust levels, oxygen levels and material-specific hazards;
  • Perform as much cleaning and maintenance as possible outside of the vessel;
  • Post completed confined space entry permit outside of the vessel;
  • Isolate contaminants and moving parts to prevent the accidental introduction of materials; and
  • Proper lock-out/tag-out/block-out/test-out procedures must be completed and documented prior to entry.

During the procedure, they include:

  • Perform maintenance/cleaning using non-toxic substances such as water and avoid using heat/fire in the confined space. Never use oxygen to purge a confined space, as this can create a fire and explosion hazard;
  • Provide ventilation if possible;
  • Select personal protective/safety equipment such as safety helmet, gloves, hearing protectors, safety harness and lifeline and breathing apparatus;
  • Assign a trained observer to monitor the procedure and internal conditions, and provide escape assistance if needed; and
  • Practice fast evacuation of the confined space.

“Over time, well-designed access improves safety and saves money,” Marshall said. “Safe access that is carefully located and adequately sized will increase dependability and also reduce the downtime and associated labour required for maintenance.”

He advises that companies consider equipment designs which minimise the need for confined space entry, including improved access doors, vibrators, air cannons or silo cleaning services.

“Conveyor systems that are properly outfitted with appropriate cleaning and material discharge equipment create a safer workplace, while experiencing longer life and less downtime,” he concluded.

Superior looks to capture global market share with AMPCO Minerals tie-up

Bulk handling, Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , ,

Superior Industries says it has signed a new partnership with AMPCO Minerals that will lead to the design and manufacture of a complete line of bulk material processing and handling equipment for customers outside of North America.

The investment into the China-based manufacturer of crushing, screening, washing and conveying equipment furthers Superior’s vision of growing a global brand, it said.

Jarrod Felton, President of Superior Industries, said: “Whether it’s application advice, service response or manufacturing efforts, our goal is to be closer to our customers. This partnership allows us to continue improving our results for them.”

Working in a new purpose-built factory in Shanghai, Superior intends to design and manufacture this line of bulk material processing and handling equipment for customers outside of North America.

“This is an investment in a team whose core members each have more than 30 years of experience developing crushing and screening technology for our markets,” Felton said. “They are accomplished professionals that people in our industry know and trust.”

Meanwhile, the Shanghai-based production facility will improve responsiveness, reliability and quality of Superior’s North American supply chain. US and Canada-based plants will have new access to a dependable, high-quality chain of supply partner for select crushing and screening components, the company said.

Rema Tip Top builds local presence in Middle East

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, , , , ,

Rema Tip Top is looking to tap into new markets in the Middle East by opening its own hub in Dubai.

With immediate effect, all product and service requests of the region will be processed and implemented from the new location true to the motto “In the region, for the region”, the company said.

Target markets are the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the neighbouring countries Egypt and Jordan, according to the conveying and processing technology provider.

“Rema Tip Top is strengthening its commitment in the GCC region to directly serve the market as Rema Tip Top Middle East,” Michael Labbé (pictured), Executive Board member of Rema Tip Top AG CEO of REMA Tip Top Middle East, said.

“It is our central concern to be closer to our customers, to be their local contact and to better understand the needs and trends of the region,” he added.

With the new subsidiary, all customers in the region will have a contact person offering them comprehensive support by telephone or on site during their usual business hours, the company said.

By means of local warehousing, a 24/7 availability with correspondingly short reaction times is to be established at short notice to faster process and implement customer enquiries.

For Labbé, the combination of local conditions, existing mineral resources and German engineering skills from Rema Tip Top is an important driving force for the company: “There already is a strong demand for Rema Tip Top products in the region, which we have not always been able to meet 100% due to the long supply routes in the past.

“With our new hub, we can meet this need and further expand existing customer relationships.”

The subsidiary is preparing to present itself to the public for the first time at the Dubai Mining Show on November 5-6.

JSW subsidiary delivers first bottom scraper conveyor

Bulk handling, Coal technology, Equipment maintenance, Mineral processing, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , , , ,

Jastrzębskie Zakłady Remontowe (JZW), a JSW Group company, has delivered its first in-house designed and manufactured bottom scraper conveyor.

This development sees JZR join an exclusive group of original equipment manufacturers of mining machinery and equipment.

JSW said: “It’s a great step towards development, especially because so far JZR dealt only with overhaul and modernisation of mining equipment.”

The PPJZR–850 bottom scraper conveyor was officially presented in the JZR production hall. The presentation was attended by the management board and directors of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa mines.

The bottom scraper conveyor makes it possible to collect transported material from the armoured face conveyor and transport it to another collecting device, eg a belt conveyor. The first conveyor is being delivered to the Borynia Section of JSW’s KWK Borynia-Zofiówka-Jastrzębie coal mine, in Poland, this week. The PPJZR–850 scraper conveyor comprises: KUJZR–4z coal crusher, UPJZR–KP1200 pushing device and the PTJZR–SZL1 line turning station.

All this equipment has been designed and manufactured entirely by JZR using top quality materials with much higher durability than the existing materials used in mining, JSW said. A number of innovative solutions were used in this equipment, according to the company. “They will improve the reliability and the safety conditions of the employees during the mining.”

Rafał Rychter, President of the JZR Management Board, said: “It’s a great day for us. After nine months of hard work and commitment of many people – constructors, technologists and production employees – we can present our creation.”

Tomasz Śledź, Vice-President of the JSW Management Board for technical matters, said: “This is only the beginning of the process of unification of longwall systems we intend to carry out in all our mines.”

JZR is already working on unification of further coal haulage devices, including PSJZR armoured face conveyors, KSJZR longwall crushers, UPJZR–SNZ belt tail pieces and PTJZR belt conveyors. In parallel with these efforts, an investment project is being carried out in the Suszec municipality where, next year, JZR plans to launch the production of new elements for the machinery and equipment.

Weba Chute Systems called in for Mexico gold tailings project

Bulk handling, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , ,

As part of a significant investment to improve its processing facilities and enable the recovery of 40% of the gold that currently sits in its tailings as waste, a mining operation in Mexico called in a leading transfer point and chute systems equipment manufacturer to conduct a thorough assessment on the functionality of existing chutes in the plant.

Weba Chute Systems & Solutions, leveraging its knowledge of material behaviour in chute systems, was tasked with establishing the feasibility of introducing filtered tailings at a rate of 1,200 t/h onto the existing transfer system currently handling waste with a nominal size of 400 mm at a rate of 5,000 t/h.

While the intention is for the filtered tailings to be conveyed when the waste rock is available, it would still mean the same chutes would need to function transferring completely different material, according to Alwin Nienaber, Technical Director of Weba Chute Systems.

“Optimally, one should be able to assess a working transfer chute handling the actual material, however in the case of a feasibility assessment this is not possible, and we therefore started with a review of the test work and studies prepared by independent qualified professional materials handling experts.”

This was done by Weba Chute Systems & Solutions calibrating the material conditions and behaviour using discrete element method (DEM). Nienaber said: “Use of DEM allowed our technical team to model the interaction between individual particles and boundaries and, in so doing, to accurately predict the bulk solids behaviour.”

Access to DEM software allows engineers to predict bulk material flow patterns and flow rates as well as velocity patterns and dead zones within a transfer system, according to Weba. It also provides accurate information on particle distribution in segregation and blending and the impact forces on particles and boundary surfaces, showing wear patterns.

The feasibility assessment included the transfer of sedimentary dry tailings, sedimentary filter cake, breccia dry tailings and breccia filter cake. DEM modelling was carried out considering material on its own and conditions where blended material would be conveyed.

In total, there were four conveyor transfer points that had to be assessed. These included an inline transfer point, a 90° transfer point, a transfer from conveyor to radial spreader intermediate conveyor and then onto the spreader boom conveyor.

ASGCO, WAGNER-Schwelm and NILOS combine conveyor belt expertise

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, , , , ,

ASGCO® “Complete Conveyor Solutions” says it has signed a tri-lateral distribution, manufacturing and intellectual partnership agreement with WAGENER-Schwelm® and NILOS® to extend its ability to service and provide ASGCO products to servicing distributors, end-users and original equipment manufacturers around the world.

Aaron Gibbs, President of ASGCO, said the integration of highly precise German engineering from WAGENER and NILOS, combined with the manufacturing, marketing, sales and service strength of ASGCO will bring customers “excellent, highly engineered, ‘best in the world’ conveyor belt vulcanising products” manufactured in the US.

“By providing our ASGCO conveyor products through the NILOS service branches and then also incorporating the WAGENER and NILOS range of products into ASGCO’s product line, this will provide the ‘best in class’ range of conveyor material handling solutions for our customers,” he said.

Thomas J Ziller, Owner of WAGENER-Schwelm and NILOS, said the partnership will provide the “strongest and most innovative range of products in the conveyor belting industry”.

“The knowhow transfer in both directions guarantees sustainable and high-end production as well as increases our after-sales service around the world,” he said.

WAGENER-Schwelm has decades of experience in the development and manufacturing of portable and stationary vulcanising presses, for splicing and repairing conveyor belts, while NILOS is known for the application-oriented development of high-quality and innovative hot and cold vulcanising materials, compounds, cements and other conveyor belt related products.

ASGCO, founded in 1971, is a leading manufacturer, distributor and service provider of proprietary conveyor and screening equipment and accessories to improve the safety and performance of bulk material handling systems.