Mechanical Technology

22 / 44

20 Mechanical Technology — November 2015
⎪ Materials handling and minerals processing ⎪
As an example of the success of
Weir Minerals’ expanded com-
minution offering, the company
has recently supplied all of the
equipment for a large-scale dewatering
sand plant to the Middle East’s leading
quarry operator Stevin Rock LLC.
Over the last 35 years, Stevin Rock
LLC has developed a reputation that has
become synonymous with reliability and
consistency, delivering the highest quality
Weir Minerals is gaining acceptance in
the global sand and aggregates sector
following the expansion of its comminution
offering with the inclusion of the Trio
product range.
Beltcon 18 Conference – Where theory and practice meet
Held once every two years, the
International Materials Handling
Conference (IMHC) – Beltcon 18,
marked its 38th year in 2015. The materi-
als handling industry enjoyed presentations
of the latest trends in conveyor transport,
new technology and case studies presented
by international and local experts.
This year brought some changes into the
subject line-up. More papers on practical
topics were introduced, such as basic com-
puter maintenance, chute design essentials,
engineering tools for noise reduction and
the correct approach for designing idler
rollers. In addition, a number of papers
were aimed at the design houses addressing
such things as operating conveyor systems
with reduced energy, and case studies il-
lustrating design versus actual outcomes
and lessons learned over several years of
plant operation.
Aramid belting and splicing was dis-
cussed, as was materials handling storage
design. Topics also covered the effect of
idler bearing misalignment on bearing
life, protection and monitoring of belting,
variant lagging friction coefficients and
implications, and bottom cover failure of
idlers and pulleys.
A panel discussion addressed two very
relevant issues – the legal requirements for
preventing runback in conveyors, and those
pertaining to nip guards. The Conveyor
Manufacturers Association (CMA) agreed
to facilitate bringing a conclusion to both
issues as a matter of urgency based on the
findings of the discussion.
The exhibition, held in conjunction
with the conference, showcased the latest
technology available in the materials han-
dling and conveyor industry. Comments an
exhibitor: “Restricted access to the exhibi-
tion area during proceedings allowed us to
relax and enjoy the conference. We will be
back in 2017.”
The programme, authors, and general
details of Beltcon 18 can be accessed on
the Beltcon web site: .
Beltcon 19, will be held mid-year in
Johannesburg in 2017, continuing the
tradition of bringing the latest ideas and
groundbreaking technologies to the materi-
als handling and belt conveying industry. q
Trio products supplied to Stevin Rock LLC include crush-
ers, screens, feeders, chutes and material handling
solutions. Weir Minerals’ Trio equipment offers customer extensive crushing solutions.
Comminution expansion drives
sand and aggregate success
material to several of the leading devel-
opers and construction companies both
inside and outside the Middle East region.
The establishment of a successful
working relationship with this globally
renowned company has further enhanced
Weir Minerals’ credibility in the industry
and guarantees its capability to supply
world class equipment to all major quar-
rying regions across the globe.
Stevin Rock LLC’s three Emirate of
Ras Al Khaimah-based quarries (Khor
Khuwair, Al Ghail and Kadra) have the
capacity to produce and sell more than
45-million t/year of high-grade limestone,
gabbro rock, concrete and asphalt ag-
gregates for the construction and manu-
facturing markets of the United Arab
Emirates, Gulf region and Asia.
The company’s new minerals pro-
cessing plant will assist Stevin Rock to
increase the recovery of water, one of the
country’s most valuable resources. It will
further enable the water recovered to be
reused, thus saving costs. In addition to
this, the plant will upgrade the fine aggre-
gate product to internationally accepted
standards, which will increase the value
of the product and their revenue stream.
Supplying equipment to one of the
Middle East’s largest and most presti-
gious quarry operating companies is a
significant accolade for Weir Minerals
and a milestone that will secure the
company’s global position in the sand
and aggregate sector in future.
Stevin Rock joined forces with Ras Al
Khaimah Rock Company (RAK Rock) late
in 2007. Together the two companies
form one of the largest quarrying enti-
ties in the world, employing more than
2 500 people. q