CONVEYORS
ultimate goal is to reduce and eventually eliminate reach-in and chute entry injuries related to blade cleaning and maintenance.”
Australian privately-owned conveyor OEM, NEPEAN Conveyors, has acquired Sandvik’ s International Conveyor Components businesses and Sandvik’ s Specialist Conveyor Systems business in Hollola, Finland.
NEPEAN Chief Executive Officer, Miles Fuller, says the acquisition is a great fit with the organisation’ s existing conveyor businesses.“ NEPEAN now owns significant businesses in Europe, Scandinavia, North America, Brazil and Western Australia in addition to our existing operations throughout Australia and Africa. We will also gain a broad range of advanced technology, leading products and associated IP,” says Fuller.
The businesses will be branded PROK, GURTEC and ROXON in their respective markets.
“ The conveyor business is core to NEPEAN. Since 1985, our growth and success has been due to our customer focus, local support capability, passionate employees, leading engineering, and empowered managers with the authority to get things done. NEPEAN’ s conveyor expertise in Australia includes fully-integrated bulk materials handling solutions from the mine to the train or truck load station.
“ Putting the needs of customers first is part of NEPEAN’ s DNA. We can only prosper if our customers are successful and we are deeply committed to this responsibility. Our relentless drive to deliver for our clients will ensure customers benefit quick responses, reduced lead times, access to the industry’ s leading technical experts, and quality conveyor components for aftermarket and major projects in any location globally,” says Fuller.
NEPEAN was already the largest manufacturer of pulleys and idlers in Australia. With the acquisition of Sandvik Conveyor Components, the combined capacity will position NEPEAN as the one of the largest specialists in conveyor components globally; capable of producing many thousands of large engineered pulleys and millions of conveyor rollers annually to service customers in 66 countries.
“ Our investment in Sandvik’ s Conveyor businesses, and more importantly Sandvik’ s customers and employees, is a further commitment to an industry we know well. It is a key step in NEPEAN’ s journey to be the global leader in innovative conveyor components,” he concluded. sustainably and utilise market opportunities efficiently.“ With two new major contracts for copper mines in Asia and America we have done outstandingly well recently. Overall, we will supply more than 60 km of our high-performance conveyor belts,” says Semperit CEO Martin Fuellenbach.
Since April 2017, Markus Keller has been Head of the Sempertrans segment. In this position, he is responsible for the realignment of the segment and the associated stronger positioning as a solution provider. As Head of Operations since June 2017, Franz-Otto Geesmann has strengthened the Sempertrans management team, bringing with him years of experience in the field of conveyor belt technology. Prior to that, he contributed his technological expertise as well as his extensive industry knowledge to renowned companies such as RWE, thyssenkrupp and FLSmidth.
Splice training
Training in the correct use of mechanical splicing equipment is critical to ensure safety and productivity, according to Benjamin Sibanda, General Manager of Mato Products at Multotec.“ Tested and proven the world over, the Mato Belt Fastening System is a reliable and cost effective solution for conveyor belt fastening, especially in underground coal mining,” Sibanda says.“ A key advantage of the Mato system is its ability to efficiently splice any textile conveyor belt, with thicknesses from 5 up to 20 mm, using the same lacing system with the appropriately-sized clip for that belt.”
Mato Germany, and global subsidiaries, specialises in conveyor belt maintenance equipment. It is a world leader in high performance belt fastening systems for joining conveyor belts, where safety is paramount. Mato Products, which in South Africa is part of the Multotec Group of companies, provides training
The locally South African manufactured Mato Belt Fastening System is a reliable and cost effective solution for conveyor belt fastening to all its customers – at no charge – to keep their operations safe, efficient and up to date with technological improvements.
“ We urge customers to make full use of our training service,” Sibanda says,“ as the incorrect use of Mato equipment by untrained personnel can result in poor performance of the splice, as well as serious injury to personnel.”
Initial training is provided to new customers whenever a lacing system is delivered and followup training, either on surface or underground, is also available. This is provided by Mato’ s qualified training and service specialists.
“ Our training specialists have many years of experience in the use of the Mato lacing system, as well as in the repair of all Mato lacing equipment. In addition, our facilitators are certified by the Construction Education and Training Authority( CETA),” he says.“ We also provide theoretical and practical training at our facility which includes a tour of our clip manufacturing facility and workshops.”
The training covers the safe and correct method of using the equipment, as well as the procedures to be followed when installing a clip splice; a technology offering a fast and durable alternative to hot and cold splicing.
“ On completing our training session, the operator will be familiar with the lacing head, lacing bed, wire rope winch, conveyor belt clamp, conveyor belt cutter, conveyor belt skiver, lacing pins, wave master kit and clips,” he says.“ They will then be issued with a Certificate of Attendance, which will be valid for two years. We recommend that follow-up training is done before that period has expired.”
The training equips the operators to deal with all four of the Mato belt fastener sizes that are used in the South African mining industry. These have low profiles to allow improved cleaner interaction as well as reduced wear and noise on pulleys and idlers. It also covers the three
The belts
The Sempertrans segment of the Semperit Group, one of the leading manufacturers of conveyor belts worldwide, has a new management team. Its major goals are to increase profitability
54 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2018