Tag Archives: RCR

RCR Mining Technologies’ SPF set to redefine the future of apron feeder tech

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RCR Mining Technologies has announced the launch of the Sealed Pan Feeder (SPF), a world-first, industry-leading product redefining the future of apron feeder technology, it says.

Combining the robust elements of an apron feeder with the sealing properties of a belt feeder, RCR has created a two-in-one machine that, it says, offers benefits beyond any traditional apron feeder.

Both the RCR Sealed Pan Feeder and the RCR Apron Feeder boast low-maintenance designs, outperforming alternatives in the market. The Sealed Pan Feeder shares over 90% of its components with the RCR Apron Feeder, ensuring durability while introducing key improvements:

  • Enhanced performance: The SPF reduces the need for maintenance outages, offering approximately 50% fewer outages and 39% less tool time over a 15-year period compared with standard, non-RCR apron feeders, the company claims;
  • Maximised production: The reduction in maintenance frequency and outage duration translates directly to more ore throughput without increasing the size or speed of the feeder; and
  • Cost efficiency: By eliminating the need for dribble conveyors, the SPF delivers more efficient operating costs, addressing carry-back and leakage with its fully sealed and scrapable material-carrying surface.

RCR’s Head of Engineering, Elia Khoury, said the company was thrilled to launch this world-first, next-generation apron feeder that is set to “revolutionise materials handling”.

The SPF has already proven its worth in the field, with Fortescue Metals Group Project Director, Matthew Erceg-Hurn, remarking: “Having the Sealed Pan Feeders means we have a lot more uptime, which means we can keep running tonnes through the plant and produce more revenue as opposed to stopping and maintain the plant more regularly.”

The Sealed Pan Feeder was recently showcased at MINExpo 2024, in Las Vegas, where it garnered significant attention from industry leaders, according to the company, with Alister MacPherson, Head of Strategy, Growth & Innovation at RCR, characterising the interest as “phenomenal”.

Neville Kelly, Business Development Manager at RCR, concluded: “With its superior design and proven benefits, the Sealed Pan Feeder represents the future of apron feeder technology, helping companies maximise production, reduce costs and streamline operations.”

NRW Holdings signs A$10 million deal to buy RCR’s Mining and Heat Treatment businesses

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NRW Holdings has entered into an agreement to acquire RCR Tomlinson’s Mining and Heat Treatment businesses for A$10 million ($7.3 million) in cash.

The agreement was signed with RCR’s administrators, which have been offloading various RCR subsidiaries since shortly after the company declared total liabilities of A$581.3 million alongside cash and equivalents of A$89.9 million in its 2018 financial year.

The purchase consideration will be funded from NRW’s existing cash reserves, with the deal expected to complete within the next two weeks, NRW said.

RCR Mining and Heat Treatment form part of the original RCR Tomlinson business established over 100 years ago.

RCR Mining includes the Mining Technologies business, which owns significant intellectual property across a range of products and processes and is recognised as a market leader by global resources clients, according to NRW.

“The Mining Technologies business is a leading national and international original equipment manufacturer and innovative materials handling designer with an extensive product range including apron and belt feeders, high capacity conveyors, slide gates, stackers, spreaders, fully track-mounted in-pit mining units (an example pictured above), sizers, scrubbers and screening plants,” NRW said.

One of RCR’s recent mining technology innovations is a 5 km relocatable conveyor, which includes a semi-mobile primary crushing station and feeds directly into Fortescue Metals’ Cloudbreak iron ore processing facility in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

Both the Mining Technologies and Heat treatment businesses have a high proportion of activity in equipment product support and maintenance (both on site and off site), NRW said, adding that the Heat Treatment business has facilities that include the largest stress relieving furnace in Australia.

Mining Technologies and Heat Treatment generated around A$110 million of revenue in the 2018 financial year and have a track record of delivering positive earnings, NRW noted, explaining the acquisition would be earnings per share accretive on a full-year basis, excluding integration and other one-off costs.

Jules Pemberton, NRW’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said the acquisition would allow NRW to provide incremental services, in line with its strategic objectives, to several core clients common to both NRW and the RCR businesses.

“In addition, the annuity style income from the maintenance activities of Mining Technologies and Heat Treatment will provide a platform to continue to build a broader service offering across an expanded resources and oil and gas client base.”