SCREENING TECHNOLOGY
Intelligent condition monitoring systems , such as Schenck Process ’ ConiQ Monitor , help the company to design more damage tolerant screens as a result of the lessons learned from ongoing operational monitoring
the field that allow hands-free remote collaboration with two-way video and audio . The tools give them access to critical information in real time to get the best outcomes out in the field .
“ By having more efficient interactions , we reduce the need for unnecessary visits , which is critical in industry now more than ever . We ’ re also trying to think outside the square in terms of our screening media solutions to try and identify wear and improve how we change screening media ,” Wijasuriya adds .
Wijasuriya says Schenck Process aims to be a partner of choice in the mining industry by taking this whole-of-life approach , leveraging the organisation ’ s global technology hubs to find innovative solutions for the pit to port value chain .
General Kinematics on its proven Two- Mass technology
STM-SCREEN™ two-mass vibratory screens utilise General Kinematics ’ ( GK ) proven Two-Mass , natural frequency drive design . “ The design is load responsive and capable of longer material retention times to work the material while achieving greater screening in the same footprint as your old brute force screens . Dual in-board vibratory motors eliminate expensive belts , shafts , and bearings . Our patented modular design uses a centre spline to increase structural integrity significantly and allows for easy assembly and disassembly for quick transport and installation .” GK says the model is now among the most reliable screens in the industry with an average service life five times that of a brute force model allowing for increased uptime while reducing maintenance labour hours and parts costs .
The models also allow screening capacity increases of up to 40 % as they have a four times higher retention rate of a typical brute force screen . “ The longer retention time allows for an optimised material separation as fines have more time to drop out . Equally important is the ability of the STM-SCREEN™ to process at a higher bed depth , without sacrificing throughput . A higher bed depth at the screen feed end spreads out across the width , while the increased retention time processes the specified tonnage .”
The Two-Mass design utilises the weight of opposing forces running 180 ° out-of-phase . During material surge conditions , common in mining operations , the added weight that hits an STM- SCREEN™ does not cause it to dampen out . An
Kwatani rides wave of 21st century trends in screening
Modern trends from everyday life – including the importance of relationships , respect for resources and change-ready digitisation – are increasingly informing the design of mining equipment like screens and feeders . This is according to Annelize van der Walt , Business Development Manager Mining and Minerals at South-African-based customised vibrating screen specialist Kwatani . Van der Walt highlights how COVID-19 has tested the ability of original equipment manufacturers ( OEMs ) to support mines in driving down costs and improving efficiencies .
“ Maintaining close contact with customers during lockdown , and applying digital technology for real-time condition monitoring is a vital focus ,” she says . “ This allows sound and timeous decision-making even when experts cannot be physically present on the plant , especially for mission-critical equipment like vibrating screens .”
She notes that mining operations are demanding more value than ever from their capital spend on screens . Kwatani has seen an uptick in brownfield projects , including restarting of dormant plants needing careful retrofitting of screens to accommodate new processing technologies . Making this possible is strong collaboration with the engineering , procurement and construction management ( EPCM ) partner and the end-customer , despite restricted access to sites .
“ At a recent retrofit for a gold mine in East Africa , we were even able to incorporate components that matched those already in use at the company ’ s other operations in the area ,” van der Walt says . “ This helped to de-risk their access to critical spares – very valuable when supply chains are disrupted as they were with national COVID-19 lockdowns .”
Among the strongest drivers of trends in both mine and equipment design is the responsible use of natural resources like water and energy , she says . Kwatani has put its in-house design expertise to good use in conserving water on mines in arid regions of Africa particularly .
“ Our screens in an iron ore plant in Mauritania operate 100 % dry , with no water used in beneficiation at all ,” says van der Walt . “ Similarly , in South Africa and Botswana , we have retrofitted dewatering screens to reduce water consumption , while increasing output by 40 % on the same footprint .”
The introduction of digital technologies to facilitate remote monitoring and control is a strong focus of Kwatani ’ s support offering . The company is also piloting a Kwatani service app for mobile phones , helping operations to predict maintenance needs more accurately . In addition to real-time monitoring , the app gathers data for future design improvements to continually drive down total cost of ownership .
Right : Annelize van der Walt , Business Development Manager , Mining & Minerals , Kwatani . Below : A Kwatani screen operating in a precious metal beneficiation facility in Canada
44 International Mining | OCTOBER 2020