Modern Mining March 2015

MATERIALS HANDLING

South Africa up and running

Phakisa because it proved to be more economic on both capex and opex costs than the possible alternatives – either a conventional conveyor or a conventional loco system. In the case of the North West project, Desmond Soekoe believes the decisive factor influencing the mine’s deci- sion to go with Deebar Rail-Veyor ® is the low

projected operating costs. “The systemwill save on electricity and will also cut labour costs, as it is entirely automated and requires only a single operator,” he explains.” He believes that the Rail-Veyor ® will deliver a much lower opex than a conventional conveyor. The North West installation incorporates

Above: The system collects ore from two separate stockpiles and transports it to the stockpile feeding the concentrator. Centre: The completed Dee- bar Rail-Veyor® at the mine in North West Province.

Traction is provided by a number of equally spaced, energy efficient, dual drive stations, together with tyres in contact with the side drive plates of the cars, thus providing forward thrust.

March 2015  MODERN MINING  33