Volt Power Group subsidiary Wescone Distribution Pty has been advised by BHP that the mining major no longer requires Wescone crusher repair services for its fleet of Wescone W300 sample crushers.

The two have had a supply and service relationship for the past 25 years, but Wescone said BHP had decided to use an alternative engineering services business to service its crusher fleet using what it called “non-OEM components for repair and service”.

As recently as May/June, Wescone sold a total of six new W300-3 sample crushers to BHP as part of ongoing negotiations which included a proposal to adopt a rental supply business model to “ameliorate the capital cost impact of the purchase”, Volt said.

“BHP confirmed their desire to purchase the new crushers and advance good faith negotiations to conclude and ongoing related service contract,” the company added. To date, these discussions have not resulted in a successful agreement.

While Wescone is leaving the door open for BHP as a future customer, it is already working on improving W300 sample crusher wear parts.

“Testing has confirmed the updates will deliver a significant improvement in the strength and expected durability of the W300-3 sample crusher,” Volt said.

The W300-3 crusher’s main applications include iron ore, gold, diamonds, nickel, and glass. According to Wescone, the W300-3 is the world’s smallest gyratory crusher, weighing in at just 230 kg, and offers both the best reduction ratio in a single pass and best gyratory crushing action for maximum efficiency.