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the company.
The intelligence is embedded at the edge rather than in a remote server, allowing the system to respond immediately without relying on constant connectivity. This provides operations teams with realtime information and alerts such as early indications of belt tension changes, density fluctuations or idler failures.
Beyond mass flow measurement, the scale also performs diagnostic functions. It can identify belt slip or stretch, uneven loading, mechanical wear and systemic inconsistencies. By combining these roles into one device, the system reduces the need for additional sensors and infrastructure, simplifying installation and maintenance while lowering potential points of failure.
The platform is also designed for integration with plant control systems using standard protocols. This allows belt scale data to feed into wider process control loops, such as adjusting feed rates based on downstream capacity or modifying loading geometry in response to live conditions, Tru-Trac adds.
Controlling material flow
In mineral processing operations, unplanned downtime can rapidly translate into lost production, missed targets and escalating costs. One of the most common – and
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Weba Chute Systems offers a specialised assessment service for existing chute installations involving a detailed on-site inspection, operational analysis and, where required, advanced flow simulation to identify the root causes of inefficiency or premature wear
most overlooked – contributors to these interruptions is poorly designed or worn transfer points. These critical areas, where material moves from one conveyor to another or into processing equipment, are subject to extreme wear, dust generation, spillage and blockages if not engineered for the specific application.
Weba Chute Systems, a recognised global leader in custom-engineered chute solutions, has long emphasised that optimising transfer points is one of the most effective ways to reduce maintenance requirements, extend equipment life and increase throughput.“ Many plants operate with transfer points that were either part of the original design or added later without a detailed engineering assessment,” Dewald Tintinger, Technical Director at Weba Chute Systems, explains.“ These chutes may not be suited to the current material characteristics, tonnage rates or operating conditions, resulting in accelerated wear, excessive maintenance and unexpected stoppages.”
Unplanned maintenance on transfer points is not only disruptive but costly. Frequent liner replacement, unblocking of material build-up and cleaning of spillage can take equipment offline for hours at a time. The cumulative effect is a measurable loss in productivity and a higher total cost of ownership.
Weba Chute Systems says it offers a specialised assessment service for existing chute installations. This involves a detailed on-site inspection, operational analysis and, where required, advanced flow simulation to identify the root causes of inefficiency or premature wear.
“ Our expertise lies in engineering and manufacturing chutes that control the flow of material through optimal trajectory and velocity,” Tintinger says.“ This reduces impact and turbulence, minimises dust and spillage and delivers a steady controlled feed to the next stage in the process.”
Retrofit solutions from Weba Chute Systems are custom engineered to integrate seamlessly into existing plant layouts, avoiding major structural changes while delivering significant performance gains, the company says. Many customers report reduced maintenance intervals, improved safety and increased uptime within weeks of installation.
An optimised transfer point not only lowers direct maintenance costs but also safeguards downstream equipment from damage caused by uncontrolled material flow, according to Weba. By reducing spillage and dust emissions, plants also benefit from cleaner safer working environments and compliance with environmental standards.
“ In many cases, the investment in a retrofit chute pays for itself quickly through reduced downtime alone,” Tintinger notes.“ When you factor in lower maintenance costs and longer wear life, the return on investment becomes compelling.”
Fit-for-purpose plants
Small-scale sand producers now have a cost effective, reliable and integrated solution to their production needs, with Pilot Crushtec having invested its decades of design and engineering experience in a range of dedicated, modular sand-making plants that give users the latest fit-for-purpose technology within a short lead time of just two months, it says.
According to Francois Marias, Sales and Marketing Director at Pilot Crushtec, many smaller operators tend to make do with second-hand equipment, which is often not ideal for their application.
“ Many operators put together the components – from crushers and screens
International Mining | JANUARY 2026