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May 2015
MODERN MINING
53
CRUSHING, SCREENING
AND MILLING
Multotec’s TeePee™ panels which optimise open area installed on a
single deck screen.
feature
media solutions
screening, such as the Multotec
TeePee™ panel, is optimising
open areas for screen panels.
A further screen panel
development is the O-slot™
aperture, which is being used
successfully in iron ore applica-
tions. This ensures that panel life
is optimised while the screen
still retains non blinding
characteristics.
In general, the com-
pany now has multiple
material options avail-
able, including various
polyurethane grades,
rubber grades and steel
grades, which would
be applied as a solution
specific to the custom-
ers’ process application requirements.
Increasing productivity and value
Multotec subscribes to the philosophy
that value should be emphasised over
price. “There will always be companies that
enter with a low-cost strategy and use disrup-
tion strategies to gain market share. This is a
short-term achievement and certainly not a
sustainable business model. Multotec supports
a long-term view of the market, which requires
an innate understanding of where you can add
value to customers’ operations. The current
market conditions present an opportunity for
customers that wish to engage in the process of
optimising their processes,” he adds.
Roy Roche, Vice President Screening Media
at Multotec, cites the Australian model of
increasing value by employing smart method-
ologies and adopting automation of processes.
This business model is resulting in a number
of companies experiencing both reduced labour
costs and increased value of offerings. He feels
that in order to remain sustainable, plants in
the South African mining industry will need to
take heed of this trend and become automated
within the next 20 years.
“This model results in highly predictable
shutdowns and an increased time period
between shutdowns, both of which reduce
labour costs. Linked to this is the impact
that online monitoring has had on customer
operations. The return on investment of these