MANUFACTURING
IMPROVING TOTAL COST
OF OWNERSHIP
Edited by Tarren Bolton
Local manufacturer Multotec chosen to replace a trommel at Tronox’s Western Cape plant.
T
trommel would replicate the exact process
functionality of the old unit and provide
the same level of operational performance
and reliability as the old screen had for the
past 12 years,” says Mantell.
With this application, the Multotec
trommel screen is used to classify East
Mine Run-of-Mine (ROM) by size and
discharge the oversize to the tailings
conveyor. The undersize is processed as
normal. Significantly, this screen is the
only piece of equipment operating in the
ROM processing circuit for which there is
no standby or bypass alternative.
Customised for harsh
applications
Tronox’s PCPE uses sea water for its
processes, and this, together with
operating in the harsh West Coast
environment, means that corrosion
protection is a priority for the trommel. It
is supplied with replaceable polyurethane
shell protectors as well as a high-
performance corrosion protection paint
on all the non-rubberised surfaces. The
trommel screen is fitted with Spalto
polyurethane panels selected to ensure
optimum throughput and wear life.
With a focus on improving total cost
of ownership, Multotec implemented
its innovative one-side fitting of screen
panels on the trommel; Mantell says
this facilitates quicker panel changeouts
saving on costs. As panel maintenance
now only needs to be executed from
the inside and safety is also enhanced
during this activity.
The new Multotec trommel is 7.2m
long and has a diameter of 2.5m with a
total mass, including panels, of 12.5t.
The new trommel was delivered on
time and installation was conducted
by the mine and Multotec handled the
commissioning. Mantell says that after
trouble-free installation, the trommel
screen immediately operated at 95% of
its design capacity, and one day later a full
feed of 1 000tph was maintained.
ronox’s Namakwa Sands northern
operations are located in South
Africa’s Western Cape and
its operations use dry mining
techniques and upgrade heavy minerals
to produce titanium dioxide feedstock
suitable for both the chloride and
sulphate TiO 2 processes.
Namakwa Sands also produces zircon,
rutile and pig iron. The operation has an
open-pit mine and concentration plants
at Brand-se-Baai, about 385km north of
Cape Town.
Recently, South African Original
Equipment Manufacturer, Multotec, won
a tender from Tronox’s Namakwa Sands to
replace a trommel at the mine’s Primary
Concentration Plant East (PCPE) at its
Brand-se-Baai site.
Greta Mantell, technical sales
representative at Multotec Manufacturing,
says the scope of supply included the
trommel screen, screen panels and
ancillary equipment which forms part of
the installation at the PCPE.
“What was essential on this particular
project was that the new Multotec
At the official handover of the locally-manufactured trommel, from
left, are: Jacques Kleynhans, T&I project manager, Tronox SA Sands
and Greta Mantell, technical sales representative, Multotec.
14
JUNE 2019
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