Mechanical Technology February 2015

Mechanical Technology — February 2015

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Materials handling and minerals processing

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inchester Maphosa, prod-

uct manager for screens,

says,“In terms of Enduron

screens, this is one of the

largest projects we have undertaken since

Weir acquired Linatex. It is a really good

reference for us in such a remote loca-

tion, as it showcases the full capabilities

of Weir Minerals Africa as a complete

solutions provider.”

In addition to the Enduron screens,

Weir Minerals Africa supplied a total

system that comprised feed and dis-

charge chutes and isolation frames for

the screens in order to dampen vibration

and thereby prevent damage to the struc-

tures that support the screens. Maphosa

explains that the screens are arranged

in three modules of three screens each,

with each module having its own feed

distribution system.

“The distribution systems supplied

essentially splits the feed into three. We

also supplied all the piping up to the feed

chutes. The cast iron distributors were

developed in house and manufactured

at the Weir Heavy Bay Foundry in Port

Elizabeth,” Maphosa says. The contract

Screens for ArcelorMittal project in Liberia

Winchester Maphosa, comminution product manager at Weir

Minerals Africa, next to one of the electrically actuated pinch

valves supplied to AMEC.

A double-deck vibrating Enduron screen being tested at Weir Minerals Africa’s Alrode facility.

Weir Minerals Africa has designed and manufactured nine 3.0 m

by 6.7 m double-deck vibrating Enduron screens for ArcelorMittal’s

iron ore project in Liberia. AMEC Minproc Canada was responsible

for the engineering and process design of the plant.

also comprised ancil-

lary equipment such

as Isogate valves and

steel pipes and hoses

lined with Linatex rub-

ber. Linatex rubber lining

was also used to line

the feed and discharge

chutes.

Maphosa says that

Weir Minerals Africa has

been liaising closely with

AMEC Minproc Canada

in terms of the overall

process solution and

system for the iron ore

project. “This showcases our ability not

only as an equipment supplier, but also

as a process solutions provider, which

includes the entire system in which that

equipment is incorporated. In addition,

we can provide assistance with compil-

ing a process layout for use by project

houses.”

Weir Minerals Africa will supervise

the installation and commissioning to

ensure that the Enduron screens per-

form according to specifications once

on site. “We design and manufacture

the screens and then test them in the

workshop prior to despatch to see

that they operate as expected.” AMEC

Minproc will supervise the transporta-

tion of the screens to site. “The logistics

of transporting screens of this size poses

a huge challenge by itself, as they have

to be delivered to site as complete units.

While the screens themselves are 3.0 m

wide, there are additional 600 mm wide

brackets on each side that render them

even wider.”

Maphosa says this was a particularly

exciting project for Weir Minerals Africa,

as it had to dovetail specifically with

the process layout provided by AMEC

Minproc Canada. “We also had to con-

sider aspects such as maintenance and

ensure that this could be carried out

conveniently at such a remote location.”

Service and aftermarket support will

be provided by Weir Minerals Ghana,

which carries a comprehensive spares

stockholding to service the wider West

African region. “With these kinds of

projects you always want to ensure that

you have spares on hand, whether it is

consignment stock or spares acquired

specifically by the customer,” Maphosa

says, adding that Weir Minerals Africa

is anticipating an additional contract for

spares for these Enduron screens. He

adds that Africa remains a key focus,

especially countries such as Liberia

and Guinea, where major Greenfield