IM 2020 March 20 | Page 71

MINERAL PORTS AND STOCKPILES Geometrica supplied two 70 m diameter and 35 m high domes for storage piles in the Herradura plant, in Sonora, Mexico The stacker is equipped to handle both dry and wet bauxite – important considering the humidity and rain that comes with the wet season in this part of West Africa. The material is stored in two stockpiles of 160,000 t each using the chevron method, Bedeschi said, with the machine having a capacity of 3,000 t/h and a 42 m long boom. Speaking of storage, Geometrica has recently completed a pair of circular domes for leading Mexico-based precious metals miner, Penoles, in Sonora, Mexico. The Herradura mine is in the municipality of Caborca, near the coastal city of Puerto Penasco, and close to the US border. The mine started propelled barges for transport to waiting bulk cargo ships offshore, EGA said. Bedeschi recently confirmed it had been awarded a contract to deliver a bauxite storage facility for the project by DTP Mining, part of France-based Bouygues Construction. The scope of supply included a stacker with a capacity of 3,000 t/h and a 420 m long storage belt conveyor, with the commissioning phase performed in September. operating in 1997 and is one of the largest open- pit gold mines in Mexico with an annual material movement of around 120 Mt, according to the designer, manufacturer and installer of domes and space frames. Geometrica, which has worked with the miner before on other projects, supplied two 70 m diameter and 35 m high domes for storage piles in this plant. One of these is always operating in this particular installation, according to the company. The dome assembly was carried out using the lift and place method, it said. “This procedure consists of dividing the geometry into modules or sections that are assembled individually, to later be placed and form the dome,” Geometrica explained. The Geometrica system allows the structure to be assembled manually in a safe, quick and simple manner with local labour, according to the company, with most work carried out at ground level. “Once each section is completed, it is lifted using standard construction cranes and placed in its position, allowing a smooth, planned, ordered and efficient construction,” Geometrica said. “All operations were performed without stopping the material storage operation.” Geometrica domes help control dust in mines and industrial plants, which is of increasing importance to mining companies today. This has multiple benefits, the company says: “It boosts www .eur omineexpo.com CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND THE LATEST METHODS IN MINING International Trade Fair & Conference: The place for new business opportunities R e gi s t e r to d ay ! 9 -11 J U N E 2 02 0 | S K E L L E F T E Å , S W E D E N 200 EXHIBITORS >40 NA AT A TIONS >50% MANAGERS Book tickets and hotel r ooms at our website for best availability . eur omineexpo.com >30 LEARNING ING LEARN ONS SESSIO M o r e f i e l d s t r i p s t h a n e v er ! Book now , limited seats. P AR TNER: GOLD SPONSORS: SIL VER SPONSORS: Eur o Mine Expo is organized by Nolia AB