Mechanical Technology November 2015

⎪ Materials handling and minerals processing ⎪

Buffalo high-capacity feeder breakers In response to low commodity prices and a worldwide need for improvement in operational efficiencies within the mining sector, FLSmidth has launched a new Buffalo™ high capacity feeder breaker product range.

I n conjunction with a longer machine life and reduced cost of ownership, the new feeder breaker is aimed, primarily, at opti- mising bord and pillar mining operations. “In essence, it will assist the underground mining sector increase and streamline produc- tivity while reducing operational costs,” says PC Kruger, capital sales manager responsible for the Buffalo product line at FLSmidth in South Africa. The manufacturing facility for Buffalo feeder breakers is situated in eM- alahleni, the heart of South Africa’s coal fields. “The new Buffalo high capacity feeder breaker was designed in partnership with vari- ous customers following an intensive analysis of underground mining operations and their key performance indicators,” Kruger says. “After four months of intensive detailed design and testing, we commissioned and officially launched the first prototype in May 2015.” In parallel with this, product optimisation has been completely rolled out across the FLSmidth underground feeder breaker product line. Efficiency enhancement forms part of FLSmidth’s global strategy. The months following the launch have already revealed the new product’s suc- cess. Between June and September 2015, FLSmidth successfully delivered seven Buffalo high capacity feeder breakers to various mines around the Witbank coal fields. “Our custom- ers are satisfied the equipment meets and exceeds operational and safety requirements,” Kruger states. Subsequently, FLSmidth is negotiating with various customers to supply and deliver another six units before the end of December 2015. “We are looking forward to building on this success throughout 2016.” Kruger explains that Buffalo feeders have always been recognised for their ability to op- erate within the harshest South African mining environments and have become synonymous

with reliability and performance. The com- pany started out as a small, privately owned product business in 1975 called McCarthy Mine Machinery. Through various acquisi- tions, Buffalo became part of Denmark-based FLSmidth in 1999. “With the latest design technology at our disposal and through FLSmidth expertise, the company adopted a weight-optimised modu- lar design for its new range of Buffalo feeder breakers – without sacrificing health, safety or quality. This philosophy not only achieves a safer manufacturing environment but also de- creases delivery lead times,” Kruger outlines. By utilising variable speed technology and on-board PLC control, a 20 tonne shuttle car can be offloaded in just 40 seconds. Spillage at transfer points is also minimised thanks to the mainframe’s design, which is fit-for-purpose for several different shuttle car suppliers. Kruger notes that fire suppression systems can be incorporated and fitted at a customer’s request. The feeder breaker can also be con- verted or upgraded into a feeder breaker/sizer combination if an in-section sizing solution is required. “The FLSmidth team involved in this lat- est Buffalo innovation is very excited about the new product line and believes this is the beginning of a new era for the brand. With a wide range of products being built at our facility in eMalahleni and continuous design improvements, in combination with other FLSmidth products, we are able to assist customers in increasing the lifetime of equipment, and deliver on our ‘One Source’ business philosophy,” Kruger adds. “We aim to further penetrate the global market by utilising the FLSmidth global foot- print and the favourable exchange rates in the current depressed economic environment,” he concludes. q

FLSmidth has launched a new Buffalo high capacity feeder breaker product range, aimed, primarily, at optimising bord and pillar mining operations.

Mechanical Technology — November 2015

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