NEWS
Bearings solve bucket problems Bearing specialist SKF has found a solution for a South African cement supplier , who had been experiencing problems with a bucket elevator over a protracted period .
The additives bucket elevator handles exceptionally abrasive and sticky materials such as natural and synthetic gypsum , limestone , and slag . Frans Odendaal , SKF product manager : Power Transmission , explains that the machine already started giving problems in 2016 as a result of inappropriate chain selection for the particular application , which was leading to costly unplanned downtime .
“ At that time , we conducted a survey and made a few recommendations based on the existing chain condition . A few months later , in April 2017 , the customer decided to not only replace the existing chain but to simultaneously upgrade the bucket elevator . Due to our earlier involvement , the customer approached SKF alongside a number of their other suppliers for a reliable solution .”
In addition to the upgrading of the bucket elevator within the requested requirements , SKF also recommended further improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce downtime for the customer . “ Shortly afterwards , we secured the order through our authorised distributor , Bearing House , in April 2018 .”
Haulers become more rigid Opencast operators could achieve production targets faster when the new range of Volvo Construction Equipment rigid haulers becomes available in southern Africa later this year , following the official launch in Scotland in April . Babcock is the South African dealer for Volvo . The new hauler range consists of the 45-tonne R45D , 60-tonne R60D , 72-tonne R70D , and the flagship 100t / 95-tonne R100E , a completely new rigid hauler featuring new technologies and a striking new design .
David Vaughan , managing director for Babcock ’ s equipment business , attended the launch at Volvo ’ s Motherwell facility , where guests had the opportunity to test-drive the R100E and see it in action at a nearby quarry . Vaughan says that the R100E rigid hauler , built for surface mining and quarrying applications where operational costs are critical , took centre stage at the event , and expects the machine to attract a strong following in southern Africa .
“ Despite the fact that the R100E will be competing in one of the most contested segments of the rigid hauler market , this topperforming machine with optimal production and minimal operational costs will be a strong contender in the mining and quarry market segment ,” he says .
Cementing a ‘ greener ’ future
South Africa is among the world ’ s largest and fastest growing carbon emitters . According to Nivashni Govender , environmental specialist at cement manufacturer AfriSam , the country is one of the top ten CO 2 emitters in the world , when measured per capita . “ This places a huge responsibility on the cement manufacturing sector to be proactive , as South Africa has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 34 % by 2020 ,” says Govender .
In response to this statistic , AfriSam has initiated several air quality management improvements . For example , upgrades in cement kilns and emission filters have led to the lowest dust emissions in Africa .
“ Furthermore , our ongoing focus on alternative fuels and resources ( AFRs ) has allowed us to steadily reduce the amount of coal burnt in our cement kilns , which in turn contributes to lower CO 2 emissions ,” Govender adds . “ We have developed a way of burning old tyres in our Dudfield plant — a strategy that also contributes significantly to addressing the environmental hazards posed by tyres when they are disposed of in landfill ,” she says .
Energy conservation is another focus area and includes the progressive installation of Nivashni Govender is AfriSam ’ s environmental specialist .
AfriSam
To mine limestone in the ecologically sensitive Saldanha-Vredenburg area , AfriSam is placing more than 150ha of this property into environmental status . energy-efficient lighting across the company ’ s range of cement , ready-mix , and aggregate quarry facilities . “ As water scarcity becomes a more pressing issue for countries like South Africa , water conservation has also featured high on AfriSam ’ s environmental agenda ,” says Govender .
AfriSam ’ s programmes focus on reducing the amount of water per tonne of cement produced , or per tonne of ready-mix prepared . The company ’ s ready-mix plants also have strict re‐use and recycling processes and have to recycle at least 50 % of their grey water generated , on site .
4 _ QUARRY SA | JULY / AUGUST 2018