Modern Mining February 2015

PRODUCT News

Hytec delivers dispensing system to North Mara gold mine

Hytec Services Africa (HSA), a Hytec Group company, recently completed the supply and installation of a lube and coolant dis- pensing system at Acacia Mining’s North Mara goldmine, located in a remote corner of northern Tanzania. (Acacia was previ- ously known as African Barrick Gold.) The dispensing system enables more responsive, immediate and efficient ser- vicing and maintenance capabilities for the mine’s heavy mobile material handling fleets, comprising haul trucks, graders, loaders and shovels. The maintenance of heavy mobile equipment in operation at North Mara was previously constrained by the significant distance between the main equipment workshops and the remote workshop located at an opencast pit. A more auto- mated dispensing system – to facilitate faster fluid ‘top ups’ – was required for a more effective operation, for which HSA was contracted. The system covers the complete fluid

management and distribution process, from the bulk offloading of fluids from tankers into 20 000 litre holding tanks (coolant and transmission oil are stored in 1 000 litre tanks), as well as the steel pipe infrastructure for transfer into remote hose reels, from where machine services can be carried out. The dispensing system con- sists of seven steel dispensing lines dedicated for engine oil,

Holding tanks – of 1 000 and 20 000 litre capacity – store the various lubricants and coolants required at the North Mara gold mine site.

transmission oil, two variants of hydraulic oil, coolant, compressed air, as well as a waste oil pipe for the safe removal of used oil from the site. Grease points were also provided. Each oil and coolant flow is fil- tered through Bosch Rexroth duplex filters, while the bulk tanks are protected with Hy-Pro desiccant breathers. HSA, together with Hytec, executed the design and layout of the entire dis- pensing system. All the stands for the bulk

offloading pumps, filter stands, waste oil pumps, as well as the cabinets for hose reels, were designed and built by Hytec. Hytec’s Installation and Servicing depart- ments were involved in the pre-assembly of pipework in South Africa, as well as its final installation on site. HSA coordinated the project, including the logistics of delivering materials, equip- ment and personnel to the site. Gary Shaw, Hytec Services Africa, tel (+27 11) 573-5460

February 2015  MODERN MINING  41