HEAVY ENGINEERING
characterise and evaluate the operating
efficiency of any grinding circuit. The tools
incorporate a complete set of digital simulators
for conventional and semiautogenous grinding
applications and are free of charge for Moly-Cop
customers.”
Despite only having a local presence in
Russia since 2016, Moly-Cop says it has been
successful in securing trials and several supply
contracts with major Russian mining companies.
“The comparative performance of the product
has also been highly valued by customers in the
region.” Also in 2016 it conducted its first major
Moly-Cop Tools seminar for the Process
Engineers from some of the major Russian
mining companies in Moscow. The course
focused on methodologies and techniques to
optimise grinding circuits and provided a hands-
on opportunity to introduce the participants to
Moly-Cop Tools. These courses are often
delivered in other parts of the world but this
was the first such conference to take place
within Russia.
In December 2016 Magotteaux International
SA and Jiangyin Xingcheng Special Steel Works
concluded a strategic alliance to establish a
joint venture (JV) for the production and the
commercialisation of forged grinding balls. The
JV, which capitalises on the strong reputation
Xingcheng has developed as worldwide high
quality steel supplier and Magotteaux expertise
in process optimisation products and services
for high-abrasion extracting industries, was then
officially inaugurated on May 4, 2017. The JV
operates under the name Jiangyin Xingcheng
Magotteaux Steel Balls Co Ltd and is based in
Jiangyin in China. “This alliance supplies the
whole range of forged grinding balls with the
highest quality requirements.”
“We are excited to form a partnership with
Xingcheng” stated Sébastien Dossogne, CEO of
Magotteaux. “The objective is to create a supply
of high quality steel forged balls to establish a
new leader in this large and growing global
market.”
“Both parties will join efforts to forge the JV
into a world-class well-known brand through
rigorous and practical working attitude as well
as long-term strategic vision, creating high-end
value for our customers”, said Qian Gang,
President of CITIC Pacific Special Steel, the
majority owner of the Chinese partner.
Mill shell major in Europe
One of the key global facilities supplying large
mill shells is CITIC CENSA in Spain, which
extends over 70,000 m 2 of which 40,000 m 2 are
under roof and crane hook. It has assembly bay
dimensions of 340 m x 33 m, a lifting capacity
(one piece) of 400 t, and 16 m under hook.
Extensive facilities are in place including heavy
48 International Mining | JUNE 2018
rotary and static equipment, spare parts and
refurbishment areas, heavy machining capacity
and an outdoor storage area of 10,000 m 2 . The
distance to the Port of Vigo is only 25 km.
The site uses state-of-the-art CNC machines
“producing highest quality and strict
tolerances.” The workshop is equipped with
exceptional production capabilities such as
horizontal lathes up to 150 t, diameter 7.9 m x
18 m length; vertical lathes up to 400 t and 20 m
diameter, and milling-boring machines up to 21
m X 7 m. “CITIC CENSA is is one of the most
important heavy equipment manufacturers in
Europe thanks to its high qualified personnel,
with great experience since several decades and
a worldwide reputation and also through its
exceptional manufacturing facilities. CITIC
CENSA works with companies worldwide, and
our high-skilled craftsmen that provide high
quality ressources, co-operate with customers
to achieve the best result. Its expertise includes
stratregic cooperation with many international
customers.”
It was in February 2011 that CITIC Heavy
Industries Co Ltd acquired Gandara Censa SA.
This initiated the company to change its name
to its full name of CITIC HIC Gandara Censa SAU.
CITIC established an Investment Plan to upgrade
CITIC CENSA's capacities in the global market
and offer to clients more capacity in machining
and fabricated parts.
CITIC CENSA is a leading manufacturer of
mining and cement heavy equipment, including
ball mills, SAG mills, kilns, tyre sections, etc.
Recent orders include a ball mill of diameter 4 m
length 5.1 m which was delivered in December
2017 for the Talison lithium mine in Australia. A
mill shell diameter 4.3 m length 9.5 m was
delivered in March 2018 to operate at a zinc
mine in Mexico.
But OEM orders also form a big part of the
business. In February 2018 the plant received an
order from FLSmidth for two ball mills 28’ x 44’
and one SAG mill 40’ x 26’ that will operate at
CITIC CENSA in Spain supplies mill shells and
mill parts globally not only to mining customers
direct but also major OEMs on contract such as
FLSmidth, Metso and thyssenkrupp
the Unicorn moly project in Australia. Most
recently in April 2018 CITIC CENSA received a
new order from FLSmidth for a ball mill 26’ x 40’
to operate at the Las Bambas project in Peru.
Two other OEM orders include in January
2018 from thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions in
Germany for two mill cylinders diameter 6.7 m
and from Metso Minerals Industries for two
riding ring sections diameter 25’.
Castings achievements
Bradken’s Penetrator cast lip line has achieved a
combined one million (1,000,000) warranty-free,
in-service hours on the more than 10