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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2016
10
ELECTRA MINING NEWS
The TVVS Controlled-
Fill Fluid Coupling is
used mainly in belt
conveyor drives.
Voith has long
provided fluid
couplings for use in
belt conveyors and
crusher drives, in
addition to its drive
solutions. In 2015, the
company added mining
conveying manufacturer
Hese Maschinenfabrik’s
systems to its portfolio.
As a result, it is now able
to offer a broader range
of products for mining and
materials-handling customers,
which will all be showcased
at Electra Mining Africa 2016.
One of the major launches
will be the Voith TurboBelt
Hese pulleys. These are tech-
nically and economically op-
timised belt conveyor pulleys
that are said to allow for a
long product lifecycle. Hese
pulleys have a service life of
up to 10 years. Voith offers
customised pulleys for dif-
ferent applications such
as drive pulleys, tail pulleys
and bend pulleys. The TVVS
Controlled-Fill Fluid Coupling
model, used mainly in belt
conveyor drives, will also be on
show. The couplings are used
to ensure smooth start-up and
to protect the drive against
overload and dampen torsional
vibration, thus preventing un-
planned downtime and increas-
ing the lifetime of drives.
b
Voith to unveil new materials-handling
technology at Electra Mining
Africa’s changing mining landscape has necessitated a rethink of traditional
methods and is guiding global mining technology group Sandvik Mining
and Rock Technology to focus on smart solutions to improve overall mining
efficiency.
These services and products will form the basis of Sandvik’s
presence at Electra Mining Africa 2016 this month. “Similarly, we will
look at issues such as extending the life of equipment through various
interventions, as well as introducing smart solutions that will help our
customers manage their operations more cost-effectively,” says Andrew
Main, strategic accounts manager for Southern Africa.
“Tough trading conditions exist at present and we are adapting our focus
to support mines to survive and thrive during this period. Our offerings have
therefore become more centred on aftermarket services that nurture and
improve operations, while finding efficiencies within existing and planned
infrastructure.” In addition, Main explains that extraction of the continent’s
mineral wealth is becoming ever-more challenging because of complexities
within existing ore bodies. He believes that mechanisation is needed to
maintain productivity levels for safe, cost-effective mining. The shortage
of people wanting to work underground is also exacerbating the problem,
which will inevitably lead to a necessary focus on mechanisation further
down the line.
“To mechanise means that operators are able to sit in comfort above
ground and operate multiple pieces of equipment at the same time. Similarly,
modern mine managers are able to ‘take the roof off their operations at
any time’ to view what is happening underground and ensure smoother
production, know the status and health of equipment, how much is being
produced and if targets are being met,” says Main.
“Mechanisation techniques have also evolved from a more fixed type
of footprint to a more portable and flexible solution which makes it viable
for a far wider range of mine types. Although it does have an impact on
the jobs underground, it removes people from the danger areas and this
provides safety benefits that far outweigh underground staffing issues. Jobs
are also made up again on the support side and keeping the equipment and
technologies running,” he adds.
“Despite these and other challenges, Africa has special opportunities
with huge potential for mechanisation. For this reason, mechanised
mining tonnages are expected to increase over the next five years with
the use of smart technologies optimising productivity. This is certainly the
trend Sandvik is observing by working with customers on new and future
operations,” says Main.
b
DRIVING SMART MINING SOLUTIONS AT EMA 2016
Sandvik’s focus is on aftermarket services
that nurture and improve operations.
Continental will use Electra Mining Africa to present a range
of new specialty tyres for heavy mining and earthmoving
vehicles, for the very first time. The company says it is
intensifying its activities outside the automotive sector and
further expanding its industrial business, working towards
its strategic aim of achieving a balanced customer portfolio.
In the future, technologies for construction and material
handling machines and vehicles will come increasingly into
focus, says Paul van Zyl, marketing and sales administration
manager, ContiTech South Africa.
“As Southern Africa’s largest mining, industry and electric
trade show, Electra Mining Africa is a valuable opportunity to
connect with customers across the conveyor belting, industrial
hose and heavy automotive markets,” says Van Zyl.
A range of light, heavy and special application belts will also
form a central part of the company’s exhibition. Its heavy duty
FortressXP conveyor belt is said to withstand arduous above-
ground belting environments, with a new dual layer twill weave
and improved yarn design for improved load bearing and greater
rip, tear and impact resistance.
The CoalFlo conveyor belts are solid woven belts for under-
ground mining, available in both PVC and PVG. They are said
to provide high resistance against impact and slitting, high
vulcanised splice strength and can be configured for ascent or
descent up to 12
º
(PVC) and 15
º
(PVG).
b
Continental rolls in new mining tyres at EMA