Tag Archives: Kempton Park

Kwatani adds to Northern Cape iron ore reference list with latest screening installation

Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , , ,

South Africa-based vibrating screen and feeder specialist Kwatani will soon add another installation to its extensive footprint in the Northern Cape, this time for a new customer in the iron ore mining segment.

“We have over 1,000 screens, grizzlies and feeders in this important mining region, giving us a market share of about 95% of heavy-duty screening applications there,” Jan Schoepflin, Kwatani’s General Manager: Sales and Service, said. “With our well-established branch in Kathu, we are also able to assure our new customer of quick and highly competent service levels.”

The ore characteristics of iron ore demands mechanically robust screening equipment and Kwatani has built a name for itself in these applications, according to metallurgist Frengelina Mabotja, Kwatani’s, Head of Sales for SADC. “Our equipment is engineered for tonnage and continuous throughput, without compromising efficiencies,” Mabotja said.

Kwatani’s scope of work on the 700 t/h dry processing plant includes a 1.5-m-wide grizzly screen to remove fines from the run-of-mine material before it reports to secondary crushing and a 1.5-m-single deck scalping screen. The company will also install two 2.4-m-wide, double-deck sizing screens to separate material after secondary crushing, and five feeders to draw material from bins and stockpiles onto conveyor belts for feeding onto the downstream process.

“Our niche expertise allowed us to, once again, offer high performance sizing screens customised for this unique dry sizing application and optimise material separation by achieving the required cut size for the customer’s desired product size,” Mabotja said. “Our solution optimises the material separation while maximising efficiency and ensuring mechanical reliability for continuous and economical production.”

She highlights the depth of in-house experience – from both a metallurgical and mechanical approach– which allows Kwatani to assist the decision making of customers on equipment choice and specifications.

“Through the work of our design team, supported by our manufacturing and testing facilities, we have ensured that the solution will be fit for purpose and reliable,” she said. “The customer was also able to visit our 17,000 sq.m local manufacturing operation in Kempton Park regularly to see how we work, to check on fabrication progress and to witness the testing process.”

The equipment was completed on a tight deadline of 8-12 weeks, for delivery by year-end in line with the customer’s timeframe, according to the company.

“Our fully-equipped branch in the Northern Cape, staffed by specialists with decades of mining experience, will oversee the installation and commissioning of the equipment,” Mabotja said. “Our team will also schedule regular site visits to monitor on the equipment’s performance and condition, and advise on maintenance requirements.”

To underpin the reliable operation of all equipment supplied, Kwatani will also provide training for the customer’s maintenance personnel in the basic maintenance routines required.

Kwatani became a part of Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions late last year.

Sandvik reinforces commitment to southern Africa miners with new South Africa HQ

Automation, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , ,

In a strategic move that, it says, will consolidate its resources and further enhance its service to customers, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has moved its South Africa headquarters to brand new, purpose-designed premises in Kempton Park near Johannesburg.

According to Simon Andrews, Managing Director at Sandvik South Africa, the state-of-the-art Khomanani facility includes three large workshop areas and office space on a 62,000 sq.m site.

“As the Tsonga name Khomanani reflects – ‘hold each other together as a unit’ – our new home unites us under one roof to collaborate, adapt and learn as we strive towards higher standards,” Andrews says. “The technical synergies of the workshops add to our commitment and capacity for local production that meets global quality requirements.”

Two of the workshops are dedicated to refurbishment and rebuilding of local equipment for the southern African region – mainly Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. This is where new standard-format equipment is configured for local use – typically including features like safety systems, lighting, toe-hitches and decals to customer specifications.

“Our remanufacturing facility allows us to completely rebuild machines to OEM standards, including the sub-assembly refurbishments on transmissions, axles, differential and pump motors,” Andrews says.

The first workshop has 23 bays for machines to be refurbished, while the second is specially equipped with 100 t capacity flooring for the heavier tracked equipment such as underground continuous miners and surface drill rigs. The layout of the site allows the heavy transport vehicles to loop in and out with equipment without needing to manoeuvre, improving workflow and efficiency, the company says.

A combination of cranes from 5 t to 30 t capacity – as well as a specialised 50 t forklift – facilitate safe and quick off-loading and reloading.

The third workshop focuses on local assembly of equipment for both South Africa as well as global markets to Sandvik’s OEM standards.

“Our investment in local manufacturing capacity is an important vote of confidence in South Africa and its mining sector,” Andrews says. “The quality of our work is also world class, allowing Sandvik to shift certain manufacturing duties from elsewhere in the world to our new facility.”

In line with Sandvik’s international guidelines, the design of Khomanani prioritises energy and water efficiency. With a shared solar photovoltaic system and use of LED light bulbs, the building is expected to achieve a 48% saving on energy, also making greater use of natural light, roof insulation and ‘low-E’ coated glass.

Water-efficient fixtures, fittings and systems, as well as rainwater harvesting, will improve water consumption levels by 42%, according to the company.