Transmin Australia has recently secured a contract with BHP WA Iron Ore for the supply of five Transmin Low Profile Feeders (LPF) each 4.0m in width, to feed ore at 4 000tph, and including product scalping screens in the ore handling plant. Transmin’s LPF technology is unique in its ability to use a 4.0m wide belt, meaning material can be presented to the scalping screens at a width closer to the deck width, therefore maximising screening efficiency.
Transmin’s LPF technology is unique in its ability to use a 4.0m wide belt, meaning material can be presented to the scalping screens at a width closer to the deck width, therefore maximising screening efficiency.
This order follows on from a previous supply of a similar LPF in a reclaim hopper configuration, to handle 2 500tph. Raising awareness Transmin has, over the past two years been working with clients and suppliers to raise awareness of the technology in Africa and identifying opportunities where this equipment could benefit customers.
“Substantial effort has been made to engage with various stakeholders in the market, ultimately culminating in the manufacturing and supply of a
LPF comprising about 50% South African content to a mine on the Zambian Copperbelt last year,” says Transmin official African distributor Carmaky COO, Miguel Dos Santos. “Localisation is a key concern both for South African and Africa based operations due to factors such as legislation and
lead time. Opportunities also exist for improving the cost base for the units with local fabrication.”
The unit supplied to Zambia had a 2.1m belt and was designed for a feed rate of 2 000tph with material P80 of 177mm. It was fitted with an automatic lubrication system and had a unique rail system to facilitate its removal for maintenance when required.
A step above the rest
With so many different feeders in the market, one of the first questions asked is why choose a LPF over an apron feeder or belt feeder? In essence,
a LPF is a hybrid between an apron feeder and a conventional belt feeder bringing many of the benefits of both types of feeders together.
Benefits
Some of the direct benefits include a lower profile than either an apron feeder or belt feeder, no tracking issues as experienced with belt feeders, making the LPF unit particularly good at two-way feeder applications. The Transmin LPF also reduces spillage compared to an apron feeder and it is able to use belt widths of up to 4m with a capacity up to 10 000tph depending on bulk density.
In addition, the installation of the LPF has the ability to save on plant building/structure height through low belt line above floor/ground level and also the ability to change direction in the same machine.
This change in direction can also lead to a saving in horizontal length. These savings present additional cost savings in the form of a lower or shorter steel structure which leads to lower ancillary requirements for
electrical cables, water pipes and plant air. This includes reduced power requirements to pump water and blow air.
The LPF also offers reduced structural weight through shortened steel, and possibly reduced steel section sizes which in turn leads to lower
requirements for concrete footings, reduced wind loading through reducing the overall structure size.
Finally a reduced structure height reduces power requirements due to
less drive power requirement to lift material, either as bulk material on a conveyor or as slurry in a pipe.
Carmaky
Miguel Dos Santos
Tel: (011) 867-6040
Email: info@carmaky.co.za
www. carmaky.com
