In a promising start to S&R Enterprises’ mandate as a Sandvik Rock Processing distributor, its first Sandvik mobile jaw crusher has been delivered to a mining contractor on a coal operation in South Africa’s Mpumalanga coal fields.

According to S&R Enterprises’ Managing Member, Stephen Smith, the sale highlights not only the demand for Sandvik’s high quality equipment, but signals a new era in aftermarket support for the Sandvik range of mobile crushers across the country. The machine is a Sandvik QJ341 mobile jaw crusher with production capacity of 400 tonnes per hour, boasting several differentiators and meeting the customer’s demanding targets.

“With a large feed opening of 1200 mm by 750 mm, this unit can crush down to a 50 mm closed-side setting,” says Smith. “This is a standout feature which positions this mobile crusher very well in the market, allowing the customer to achieve his required output size without having multiple crushing stages.”

He highlights that the Sandvik QJ341 brings the customer the powerful combination of a large chamber jaw crusher with the lower running costs of a medium sized machine. As a contractor, the customer is also looking for optimal uptime and reliability – which is the focus of S&R Enterprises’ strategy to deliver exceptional service. 

“Our approach has always been to build long term relationships with our customers,” he explains. “This is why we continue to expand our support network to be closer to the sites where our machines operate.”

In close collaboration with Sandvik Rock Processing, S&R Enterprises is also raising its inventory levels in anticipation of the growing demand. Smith says that his business is well known for its agility and quick response times – getting the necessary parts and wear items out to customers when they need them.

“With his experience of how we work, this customer appreciates the agility of our team and the reassurance that parts and service will be readily available,” he notes. “Operational efficiency is non-negotiable, so we want our customers to feel confident not just in the equipment but in the support they’ll receive from us.”

In a coal mining operation, it is also vital to control the generation of fine material, and contractors are usually required to meet certain laid down specifications. The Sandvik jaw crushers perform well on this score, he says. Durability in these harsh operating conditions remains a key factor for contractors, and this solution includes the use of steel hydraulic lines instead of rubber hoses. 

“The electronic controls in the Sandvik QJ341 mobile crusher are an important advantage for contractors, when compared to mechanically controlled machines,” says Smith. “Safety standards in mining and quarrying are stricter than ever, and electronic controls are more effective in ensuring safe operation.”

For instance, the correct delay timers and other settings can be specified according to the mine or quarry’s particular requirements and procedures. He emphasises that the electronic functionality of the Sandvik machine makes it easier for a contractor to keep up with progress in their sectors. 

“It also provides more precise diagnostics, which is another valuable feature to help technicians to troubleshoot quickly and keep machines running optimally,” he concludes. 

On the back of its global debut at the 2018 edition of Electra Mining Africa, the Sandvik Leopard™ DI650i down-the-hole (DTH) drill rig has earned its stripes in the southern African surface mining sector, particularly in high-capacity production drilling applications. 

When Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions first brought the Leopard™ DI650i to market, the message was clear – the company had ushered in a tool that would constitute a strong challenger for a market leadership position in the larger than 6” segment, which was previously dominated by a competitor. Some six years later, the Leopard™ DI650i has surpassed expectations with a high uptake in markets across southern Africa and the world at large.

“In southern Africa alone, we have over 60 machines operating in the field, which is remarkable,” says Trinity Nkosi, Sales Engineer, Surface Drills Department at Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology. “Over the years, we have had a positive uptake, especially in South Africa, with coal, platinum group metals (PGMs) and iron ore among the key recipient commodity markets to date.”

Scalable automation, ease of maintenance and efficient operation are some of the drill’s value propositions that have made it popular in the market. 

The Leopard™ DI650i features scalable automation packages to fully automate systems and increase overall productivity. iDrill onboard automatics cover all steps of the automated drilling cycle, ensuring consistent high-quality drilled holes. It is also compatible with AutoMine® Surface Drilling to enable fully autonomous fleet operation from a control room.

“The machine’s ground-level access for daily service and maintenance tasks has led to up to 20% more availability compared with conventional DTH rigs at a similar technology level. The modular design of the machine further allows for easier repair or replacement of components,” says Nkosi. 

To provide context, an Australian lithium operation has seen an improvement in availability, largely due to ease of maintenance, resulting in 1 900 hours of drilling in four months. Despite the tough 400 MPa rock, the mine achieved a penetration rate of about 23 m/hour – completing close to 400 m per day – drilling 203-mm holes.

Increased efficiency is yet another principal design benefit that has propelled the Leopard™ DI650i to the summit of the DTH market. Thanks to the intelligent control technology applied in both the compressor and the hydraulic system’s cooler fan, customers can expect to reduce their fuel consumption significantly compared with conventional DTH rigs. 

“Up to 15% less fuel consumption per hour is achievable largely due to our efficiency-driven design of minimising recirculation of hot air to coolers and having an energy-on-demand principle across the entire machine,” says Nkosi. “In addition, the compressor management system reduces compressor load for non-drilling activities, thus reducing fuel consumption.”

The intelligent control system of the machine contributes to high levels of operational precision and efficiency. For example, Sandvik’s aligning system guarantees parallel direction holes while the GPS technology allows for pinpoint accurate hole placement. The one-hole full cycle drilling automatics with auto collaring and rock detection minimise hole losses and maximise drill bit life. 

“Based on these capabilities, the machine has proven its performance clout at several mines in southern Africa. For example, a coal mine in South Africa has seen an improvement in average penetration rate of 60 m/hour in a sandstone rock formation where hardness is between 60 and 80 MPa, drilling 165-mm diameter holes. In fact, the mine drills close to 1 000 m of holes per day,” concludes Nkosi.

The modest size of Zimbabwe’s mining sector has not prevented Sandvik’s operation in the country from rolling out world class partnerships – including the pioneering deployment of autonomous trucks in a room-and-pillar mining environment.

“The automation project has been particularly exciting for us, as this has demonstrated how we can push boundaries with Sandvik’s leading edge digital technology,” says Brian Chitenderu, Sandvik Territory Manager for Zimbabwe. “At the heart of technological progress like this are the strong relationships of trust that we have built with customers over many years.”

This collaboration allowed an ambitious project to begin a few years ago, in which a progressive mining customer partnered with Sandvik to introduce automation into a low profile, room-and-pillar environment. The trials focused on testing the 45 tonne Toro TH545i underground dump trucks in certain main haulages of the mine. According to Chitenderu, an important milestone was achieved in early 2024 – with a fully automated loop that includes an underground crusher. 

“The years leading up to this point saw a great deal of R&D work from our Finland factory, especially regarding the traffic management system,” he says. “This complex system manages five of our TH545i trucks, to which another five may still be added.”

Among the factors to consider is that the mine runs mainly manual trackless equipment, which must interact with the automated units. The process required constant collaboration between the customer and various expert teams from Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. 

“The success of these trials makes this intervention the first automated trucking loop in a low-profile, room-and-pillar environment,” he notes. “The next step in this phased automation approach will be to have a matching loader, and then go through the various stages of automation for the drills.”

Chitenderu highlights that the Sandvik operations in Zimbabwe have also evolved their support strategies to include a full remanufacturing service for its underground equipment. By upgrading its workshop infrastructure and expertise to go beyond repairs or refurbishment, customers can cost effectively have their truck, loader or drill remanufactured in-country.

“The advantage of this model is that we can make a complete OEM’s assessment of what work needs to be done, and then return the machine to our stringent specifications,” he explains. “This also means we can give that machine the same warranty as a new unit – as we know the standard to which it has been rebuilt.”

In the seven years that the remanufacturing programme has been active, there have been 136 items of equipment remanufactured and returned to customers – giving them valuable ‘second lives’. Among the infrastructure now supporting this effort is a state-of-the-art rock drill testing facility installed in November 2023.

“This automated testing unit allows us to assess each of the drills we work on, giving customers the confidence in the standards to which we operate,” he says. “We also offer our customers a range of support packages, from expertise-on-site to full maintenance contracts.”

In addition to supporting the offerings that fall under the Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions business area, the Zimbabwe operation also serves Sandvik Rock Processing’s range of crushers, screens and feeders. This priority is seeing resources being developed in-country, to work in close collaboration with the Sandvik Rock Processing team in South Africa. The outcome will be shorter lead times on technical assistance for customers, as local expertise grows.  

“With our first dedicated employee already in place for Sandvik Rock Processing, we are developing the local capability for scheduled maintenance and breakdowns,” he says. “This is a key aspect of growing our crushing and screening business in Zimbabwe.”

Skills development is a cornerstone of the company’s growth strategy not just in terms of trainee numbers but in the fast-changing nature of the expertise required. Chitenderu says the company’s apprenticeship programme has been evolving to include more electronics in the traditionally mechanical content – leading to training that is more focused on mechatronics and data analysis. 

“We have even developed a new qualification and curriculum – in collaboration with the national ministry of education – which will be available at technical colleges,” he says. He notes that Sandvik’s pipeline of skills includes its own apprentices as well as graduate engineers, and is working with the University of Zimbabwe’s Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy Faculty and the Zimbabwe School of Mines to sensitise students in how technology is changing the mining sector.

“We are making future engineers aware of the digitalisation and automation journey currently underway in mining,” he says. “It’s important that they are familiar with these trends when they enter the market after their studies.”

Underpinning its service levels to customers in Zimbabwe is the ready availability of spare parts, Chitenderu concludes. These are offered through over the counter sales and also through vendor managed inventory or consignment stock – depending on what suits each customer.

While the ability to remotely monitor the performance and condition of mining equipment is not new, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has taken great strides in applying data analytics and dedicated algorithms to give mines even greater value from their machine data.

This has been witnessed in the company’s remote monitoring service (RMS), which has rapidly evolved from the company’s telemetry data reporting solution, better known as My Sandvik Insight Insight and Productivity for underground. RMS takes further digital steps to give mines even more uptime and productivity while prioritising safety and driving down maintenance costs. 

“The digital age has seen mines embracing the value of data in their decision making, and as an OEM we support this by raising the value of data to another level,” explains Zandre de Witt, Portfolio Specialist for RMS and Digitalisation at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “We use data to generate more detailed insights into machine health, which allows mining operations to embrace a proactive maintenance mind set.”

The My Sandvik telemetry data reporting solution, already operational in the field for about eight years, has allowed data to be gathered on the ‘Knowledge Box’ installed on Sandvik equipment – and even transmitted and stored to be displayed on digital dashboards. RMS takes this further towards meeting the strategic objectives of mining customers, according to Logan Pillay, Sales Support Manager at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. 

“The strategic focus today is on safety, cost effectiveness, productivity and sustainability – and RMS allows us to find the opportunities in the data to accelerate our path on this journey,” says Pillay. “It is about the conclusions to be drawn from the various combinations of readings from our technology; these insights then feed into response processes and our interactions with customers, to improve and streamline operations.”

RMS is most capable on Sandvik’s i-series drills, loaders and trucks, which come standard with intelligent capability. Through the company’s Global Reliability Centre, reports on each item of equipment are generated through a range of powerful algorithms, pointing to potential issues demanding attention.

“We can pick up indicators that there is dust ingress into an engine, for instance, which could severely damage components within a matter of days,” he says. “Through the protocols that we have established with customers, we would then contact the correct person on site and alert them to the identified risk before it leads to an unplanned stoppage.”

The report to the customer would include not only the readings and analysis, but also practical recommendations for maintenance teams to follow in the investigation of the issue. It is therefore little surprise that the uptake of RMS has been enthusiastic – with over 40% of the entire connected fleet in Southern Africa having moved onto the RMS customer base. 

De Witt highlights that the mining sector includes a growing number of younger managers, engineers and technicians who readily embrace the digital revolution, and want to put technology to work in improving operations. 

“Our experience is that mining staff are increasingly data hungry when it comes to monitoring and maintaining equipment,” he says. “They also want to see this data in real time, and in a fully analysed format to guide quick decisions.”

Local understanding of mining operations is also a key factor in the successful application of RMS, says Pillay. Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is therefore continuously upgrading the skill levels of its local staff, to contextualise and apply the support being received from the company’s global data experts. There has been considerable experience developed in applying RMS in underground mining, and the company now has exciting pilot initiatives underway in the opencast environment. 

The benefits of RMS have been demonstrated not only through avoiding unscheduled downtime, but by achieving longer lifecycles between maintenance through improved operator techniques and behaviour. RMS also allows production cycles to be tracked and analysed, creating opportunities to identify more productive strategies that boost the bottom line. 

As a leader in technology-driven productivity, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions supports the continuous upskilling of operators and maintenance teams to keep up with the ever-evolving capabilities of its equipment.

“Our strategic aim is always to ensure that the impact of our mining solutions is optimised through the expertise and capability of the staff who operate and maintain them,” says Sipho Kunene, Operator and Technical Training Manager at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. “This means focusing our training on the specific conditions and requirements of each customer and each site.”

Kunene highlights that advances in technology are allowing Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions to tailor its skills development interventions so that it adds maximum value to customers’ mining operations. This is achieved by digitally monitoring its equipment during operation, gathering crucial data and subjecting this to analytical examination.

“By having this accurate data input, we can identify where there might be gaps in an operator’s performance,” he explains. “The training can then be designed to address particular areas to be improved – so that there is a direct impact on the results achieved. This monitoring capability is already built into our i-Series intelligent equipment ranges.”

He points out that the gap analysis could also indicate where on-mine processes could be finetuned for better results. The focus is on ensuring that the customer achieves their expected return on investment in their mining assets.

“We take a holistic view of the situation, and make recommendations to the customer on the most suitable training intervention,” he says. Training begins in the classroom, where learners are orientated on elements such as the equipment’s operating features and safety aspects. This provides a foundation for the more practical aspects of the training which follow.

“An important advantage of our training capabilities is our advanced simulation equipment,” he says. “This allows learners to experience a realistic working environment while not compromising the safety of workers or risking damage to the equipment itself.”

Training on the simulator also protects the learner from the production pressures of the workplace, making it easier to grasp and practice the technical skills without undue distraction or danger. Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions even have a portable simulator that can be readily transported to mines for use on-site. This eases the logistical requirements of moving operators to a central training venue, and reduces the disruption to their normal working hours.

“Once they are comfortable on the simulator, they can be taken to the next practical stage of learning – where they encounter the real machines,” says Kunene. “As this practical training progresses, the process can move towards the optimisation of the equipment’s application and the operator’s performance.”

Assessments are a vital part of the training, and are conducted at various stages – culminating in the awarding of a certificate that recognises their competence. This assists the industry and the operator, allowing mobility of skills while assuring employers of an operator’s ability to optimise the capabilities of an item of equipment.

“This gap analysis approach is also applied to the technical staff who maintain Sandvik machines,” he continues. “We believe the training intervention must be planned and delivered in close consultation with the customer, to ensure their precise needs are addressed.”

He notes that South Africa faces a general skills challenge in relation to fast changing technology trends – in mining as in other sectors. The traditional diesel mechanic skill set, for instance, is often no longer sufficient in an environment where diesel driven machines are increasingly incorporating electronic and digital components.

“The move to battery powered machines is also well advanced within Sandvik,” he says. “Our in-house skills base reflects this shift, and we want to support our customers in building their own expertise.”

This has led Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions to develop a ‘second trade’ among its artisans. Included in the approach is the upskilling of traditional trades such as millwright or electrician, to ensure that their skill set is suited to the changing needs. The company also collaborates with the Tshwane University of Technology to put the relevant staff and trainers through a programme in mechatronics.

“Disciplines like these add to our base of expertise, which is vital as we move into the age of intelligent machines, battery driven vehicles and higher levels of automation,” concludes Kunene.

Making mines safer and more productive has long been the strategic intention of mine automation, and surface drill rigs are now part of this technological evolution.

According to Kabelo Nkoana, Business Line Manager for Automation and Digitisation at Sandvik Southern Africa, AutoMine® is available for Sandvik i-Series models in the company’s intelligent range of down-the-hole top hammer and rotary blast hole drill rigs. Mining customers in southern Africa have been embracing the functionality, and reporting positive results.

“Sandvik AutoMine® system essentially replicates the machine control system to enable remote automation over the mine’s Wi-Fi network,” he says. “There is an awareness that safety could be compromised when rigs are operating close to a highwall, or when there are unstable geological conditions on the bench. Automating a drill rig in these conditions is an important contributor to safety.”

Sandvik’s i-Series machines come standard with features such as the onboard data collection unit technology for engine operation and other major components. Various operational and machine health data from the sensors are collected in the OEM’s Knowledge Box, and transmitted to cloud storage for analysis and real time reporting to support informed and accurate decision making. This creates the foundation for the automation process, which also enhances reliability and performance.

Nkoana explains that the machines’ extensive sensing capability – where it is picking up valuable data about its working environment – allows it to operate autonomously within its design limits.

“This means that it will respond quickly to changes in its drilling conditions – in the properties of the rock it is drilling, for instance,” he says. “By not exceeding its limitations, its operating behaviour will extend the life of consumables and components, generally leading to a lower total operational cost.”

Having been in operation for over two decades, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’ AutoMine® system today plays an integral role in making mining safer and more efficient. It is installed in more than 100 mines worldwide, with a positive impact on safety. The automated equipment operating AutoMine® system has logged more than five million Lost-Time-Injury-Free (LTIF) hours.

The company is also incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into its next generation AutoMine® system solutions, with the launch of its concept loader and underground drill. These innovations make use of perception-sensing technologies to detect obstacles, and can make decisions about its movements when there is a person or other manual equpment in their proximity.

Nkoana highlights that mines in southern Africa are gradually moving toward ‘smart mining’ through digital monitoring and control, as well as automation. The process, however, needs to be well planned and gradual – with all stakeholders buying into the successful implementation of the concept.

The world of underground drilling technology is undergoing a significant transformation. This evolution promises not only enhanced precision and productivity but also a wealth of detailed operational data. Moreover, it offers the potential for safer drilling practices through remote control. One company leading the charge in this revolution is Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, offering a wide range of underground drill rigs and bolters. Customers are progressively embracing intelligent drilling, with a growing interest in battery electric models for the future.

Khomotso Duiker, Business Line Manager for Underground Drills at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, reveals that the Sandvik 400 Series and the Sandvik 300 Series now feature intelligent models. These innovations are driven by Sandvik’s iSURE® Intelligent Sandvik Underground Rock Excavation software, enabling automated drilling cycles.

“In Southern Africa, some forward-thinking diamond mining customers are already reaping the benefits, using the DD422i development drill rigs, as well as the DL422i and DL432i top hammer longhole drill rigs,” he says.

Duiker cautions that integrating intelligent technology into drilling operations is not without its challenges and says that Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions collaborates closely with customers during this transformative phase, offering training and support. Sandvik’s Product Masters, experts in the equipment, play a vital role in facilitating the introduction of cutting-edge machines. Additionally, Sandvik’s in-house training department ensures operators and maintenance teams receive the necessary guidance.

“Understanding the full potential of automated functions is crucial for operators. These functions not only enhance safety but also boost productivity. The level of automation can vary from individual machines to entire fleets, with some machines capable of completing development ends without any operator intervention,” Duiker says.

One remarkable feature of Sandvik’s intelligent machine models is their ability to download the mine’s drill plan for development ends and execute drilling precisely according to that plan. This optimisation leads to more effective blasting, eliminating issues like underbreak or overbreak.

Remote control capabilities are another highlight. The tele-remote function allows drilling operations to be controlled from the surface, provided there is sufficient on-site network infrastructure. To facilitate this transition, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has a dedicated Business Line Manager overseeing automation initiatives.

Monitoring equipment performance has become critical for mining operations, and Sandvik’s drill rigs come equipped with the Knowledge Box™, gathering valuable data such as advance speed, penetration rate and cycle times. The data, collected by iSURE®, can be leveraged to optimise work cycles and improve the drill and blast excavation process through targeted reports and analysis.

Duiker says that while data connectivity is essential, most mines are already addressing this requirement. “Operators can track rig performance from a control room, identifying signs of underperformance or potential failures in real-time. This data empowers mines to make necessary improvements, be it in operator behaviour or machine condition, all of which is aimed at increasing productivity and uptime.”

Sandvik’s dedication to sustainability also extends to supporting Small Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. The company actively facilitates the extraction of carbide buttons from its drill bits in partnership with SMMEs, fostering entrepreneurship and job creation. This initiative contributes to a circular economy by recycling tungsten carbide buttons from drill bits, reducing energy consumption by 70 percent and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 64 percent when manufacturing tools. This aligns perfectly with the principles of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

With its focus on innovation in mining, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has introduced AutoMine® Core, a comprehensive automation platform for mass mining applications.

According to David Hallett, Vice President: Automation at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, the platform supports customers ramping up from manual operation to fully autonomous production. Three trends drive innovation in the mining sector, says Hallett: electrification, digitalisation and automation. 

“When it comes to automation in particular, the focus is on improving productivity and safety,” he says. “Safety considerations include how people can be removed from hazardous environments, as well as gaining more productivity by operating during a shift change, for example.”

As automated machines operate in a more controlled manner than those in manual operations, there is also a significant reduction in total cost of ownership with regards to equipment, he notes. The launch of AutoMine® Core builds on the success of AutoMine®’s Fleet and Manual Production Monitoring (MPM) offerings, which are used in over 100 mines globally. Some mines have been able to reduce their fleets by up to 50% through efficiency gains with automation. There have also been reports of 55% increases in production.

“AutoMine Core is a combination of 20 years of experience built on our AutoMine Fleet and MPM products,” he says. “We have now consolidated our systems under one platform, ensuring that our systems are interoperable, which greatly benefits our customers.” 

A unique feature that differentiates AutoMine® Core is its advanced traffic management system that enables operators to easily control the traffic flow of multi-machine operations. It allows them to handle complex operating situations, resulting in greater flexibility and mining output. Hallet adds that the platform allows a fleet interface with secondary or external systems – such as crushers – that are available in the area.

Furthermore, the AutoMine® Core platform is designed to accommodate multiple levels of interoperability for third-party OEMs. The platform’s safety system allows miners to segment large extraction areas, allowing the simultaneous operations of both manual and automated equipment.  Hallett highlights that a large part of the success of the company’s automation offerings is based on working closely with its customers and understanding their unique requirements. 

“We engage with key customers in the early stages of our product development and engineering, incorporating their feedback and input into new solutions,” he explains. “This close relationship allows us to develop products that can address the majority of the needs within the market.” 

A leading limestone producer based in Kati, Mali, has taken delivery of a FastPlant™ from Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions. Central to the buying decision was the short lead time of the Sandvik FastPlant™, which allowed the operation to expand production sooner, especially given the fast-tracked nature of this project. 

Hubert Kwesi Essel, Sales Engineer at Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions based in West Africa, explains that the customer has been running an existing Sandvik fixed plant for years, but increased demand required a different solution. Given the urgency with which the company wanted to expand its capacity, the Sandvik FastPlant™ concept was the ultimate solution to add capacity within a short period of time. 

“The customer opted for a 200 tonnes per hour (tph) two-stage FastPlant, which is a range of pre-defined crushing and screening modules made for the most common quarrying and mining applications. Delivery of a Sandvik FastPlant generally takes about 10 to 12 weeks, as opposed to double or thrice the timeline for a custom-built plant,” explains Essel. “This particular plant, however, took about 20 weeks due to shipping and logistical delays from Europe to Mali.”

The plant comprises a full suite of Sandvik equipment including a grizzly feeder, a jaw crusher, a horizontal shaft impactor (HIS) and a four-deck screen. With a 100 mm closed side setting (CSS), the Sandvik ST1263H vibrating grizzly feeder, which takes a top size of up to 700 mm, ensures efficient scalping and fines removal, significantly improving the throughput of the primary jaw crusher, the Sandvik CJ411. 

“With a close side setting (CSS) of 100 mm, the Sandvik CJ411 was chosen for its high capacity. The crusher’s deep symmetrical crushing chamber and optimised nip angle maximises size reduction and production capacity,” says Essel.  

From the jaw, material goes into a surge bin, which in turn feeds the Sandvik CI722 horizontal shaft impactor (HIS) secondary crusher with a 25 mm CSS, the first ever Sandvik HSI in West Africa. The CI722 is the perfect secondary crusher for non-abrasive material such as limestone. The working principle of the Sandvik CI722 HSI encourages material to break along its natural cleavage planes, and it produces stress-free cubical-shaped products. 

From the HSI, material is directed into a four-deck Sandvik SA2164 screen, with a 25 mm top deck and a 19 mm bottom deck. The other two decks are 13 mm and 5 mm respectively. The screen produces four different product sizes from 0 to 5 mm up to 19 to 25 mm. 

Apart from the fast delivery time, the flexible nature of the Sandvik FastPlant™ was a major appeal for the customer, says Praveen Kumar VG, Sales Support – Global Plant Solutions at Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions.

“If production requirements change in future, it is simple for the customer to just add a couple of modules to increase production or take out a few modules to reduce capacity in line with market requirements,” says Kumar VG. “In addition, the FastPlant’s minimal footprint bodes well for the space-constrained site, while the minimal civil works translated into a major cost benefit for the client.”

Safety, adds Essel, was also a major factor in the client’s decision. “The client was strict about access and the FastPlant™ addressed the concerns through spacious walkways, as well as ample space in the chute aeras for ease of maintenance,” concludes Essel.