Tag Archives: Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions South Africa

Client Focus

INTEGRATED RANGE OF ECO-EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS FOR CRUSHING & SCREENING 

Visitors to Electra Mining Africa this year are looking for crushing and screening solutions that will boost productivity while enhancing sustainability – and Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions has what they need. Exciting developments in the company’s integrated offering of crushers, screens, screening media, lifecycle services and digital technologies will be on display with the company’s competent team on hand to share technical information and insights. 

According to Tarynn Yatras, Vice President for Sales Area Africa at Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions, the lineup will include a working demonstration screen with digital connectivity. Yatras highlights how the company’s pioneering technology is driven by its aim to advance the world through engineering.

“We lead the way in eco-efficient rock processing, and will be talking to our visitors at Electra Mining Africa about how we help to drive their productivity, profitability and sustainability,” she explains. “Our wide range of quality products are combined with lifecycle services to give customers fully integrated solutions across the crushing and screening process.”

The focus on eco-efficiency ensures customers can process rock using the least possible resources. In addition to the multi-function test screen on the company’s exhibition stand, visitors can inspect and discuss the Sandvik screening media and cone crusher that will be on display.

“Another exciting element of our Electra Mining Africa presence will be the digital technology that enhances our equipment’s performance and longevity,” she says. “Our automation and connectivity system (ACS) will be on display, as applied to our cone crushers (ACS-c) and our screens (ASC-s).”

These connectivity systems link back to Sandvik’s digital SAM platform, which uses data to drive insights, support and performance. Visitors can view the products and see the technology in action, she says, learning more about remote condition monitoring of machines and related service offerings. 

She highlights the value of customers being able to monitor both their crushers and their screens on the same digital platform – given how closely these phases of the comminution process must operate. This opens valuable opportunities for plant optimisation, especially with the depth of expertise imbedded in the Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions teams around Africa. The SAM platform also allows a user-defined data selection, to suit the particular role in the plant – from management to operator.

“Among our continuous improvements in condition monitoring has been an upgrade from wired sensors to self-powering sensors on our screens,” she says. Local digital experts and those from Sweden will be available on the Electra Mining Africa stand to discuss the systems in detail – including the range of benefits that customers can derive. 

“Customers are also looking to ways to achieve their climate change goals while reducing costs, and we will be showcasing how we promote decarbonisation by reducing energy use through equipment optimisation,” says Yatras. “Our vision – as a leading player in the mining sector – is aiming for a more circular economy while driving productivity to extract maximum value from resources.”

This is achieved through the integrated offering of crushers, screens, screening media, lifecycle services and digital technologies. Added to this is Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions’ extensive support footprint across the continent – close to the customer with world class local facilities and expertise.

Visit Sandvik Rock Processing in Hall 6 Stand C22.

Client Focus

SANDVIK BRANCHES KEY TO SUPPORTING CRUSHING AND SCREENING CUSTOMERS

In an environment where crushing and screening operations attach great importance to equipment uptime and productivity, an extensive footprint of 11 Sandvik entities in Africa enables Sandvik Rock Processing to respond to customer service needs timeously. 

Nils-Peter Ahlqvist, Sales Support Manager Africa & Latin America – Crushing Division at Sandvik Rock Processing, says that in the midst of the current global supply chain challenges, shipping equipment and parts into the African continent has become a major challenge.

“Sandvik’s extensive footprint of entities across the continent gives us the edge to get the better of the prevailing logistical challenges. In southern Africa alone, we have 11 entities which act as logistics hubs that allow us to efficiently distribute parts throughout the region,” explains Ahlqvist. 

Aftermarket support has always been the cornerstone of the company’s success. During Sandvik’s 76-year history in Africa, the company has become well-acquainted with the challenges facing its mining and quarrying customers and understands the important role that reliable aftermarket support can play in optimising equipment uptime and ensuring successful customer operations.

“The importance of local in-country aftermarket support infrastructure cannot be reiterated enough,” says Ahlqvist. “We rely on our widespread touchpoints in Africa to respond to service requirements timeously and to support customers with the expertise needed to achieve their production targets consistently and with the highest overall equipment efficiency. The 11 Sandvik entities are placed in strategic areas which are close to all the major mining and quarrying hubs.”

Having entities in the various parts of the region, he adds, speaks to Sandvik’s localisation strategy which seeks to give back to respective countries in which the company operates and Sandvik Rock Processing is continuing to invest in local capabilities and competence in the countries in which they operate. “To a large degree, these local entities employ local people and play a part in skills development, thus contributing to the growth of local economies,” concludes Ahlqvist. 

Client Focus

SANDVIK BUILDS LOCAL PRODUCTION OF SCREENING MEDIA

As Sandvik Rock Processing makes significant investments in local screening media manufacturing capabilities, it is building the level of aftermarket support for its growing capital equipment portfolio.

According to Riaan Steinmann, EMEA Operations Director Screening Solutions at Sandvik Rock Processing, the company’s local and global R&D teams are developing exciting new product offerings.

“Our local screening media manufacturing operations at Crown Mines in Gauteng align with our global procurement focus on sourcing raw materials,” says Steinmann. “This makes it possible to use our own unique material formulations to manufacture world class screening media products.”

Together with its specialised materials, Sandvik Rock Processing also optimises each screening media panel design to maximise wear life and efficiency, he says. The company has developed panel load limit calculations to ensure structural integrity while avoiding over-designing.

“Optimising our screening media allows us to streamline our screen designs, leading to overall mass and cost reductions,” he explains. “As an essential part of our vibrating equipment offering, our screening media offer optimal performance at the lowest overall cost.”

He notes that the open-case polyurethane dispensing machine at Sandvik Rock Processing’s Crown Mines facility is specially designed in a flexible machine configuration – to produce a range of polyurethane products of the highest quality and at the most efficient rate.

“Various non-standard polyurethane parts can be made in an open-mould casting process,” says Steinmann. “This is achieved by placing moulds on a heated casting table, and then filling them with hot-coat polyurethane mixing systems using the dispenser casting hose.”

This allows the machine to produce parts such as non-standard-sized screening panels and sideliners, wedges, discharge liners and protector liners – providing flexibility in meeting a diverse range of products even at low volumes. He highlights that Sandvik Rock Processing regards innovation as a strategic cornerstone, using the discrete element method (DEM), for instance, to analyse material flow and optimise the selection of aperture size and type for each application.

“Our screening philosophy is that the optimal design and selection of screening media panel should cater to the distinctive characteristics of the ore being treated,” he explains. “This in turn needs to align with the vibrating machine’s physical and dynamic parameters. It is our strong portfolio in both vibrating screen equipment and screening media that puts us in the best position to provide tested solutions to the market.”

Sandvik Rock Processing R&D teams undertake continuous research using data from on-site performance. These studies investigate efficiencies and wear characteristics of screening media products under various operating conditions – and build the findings back into new designs and products. 

The local production of screening media by Sandvik Rock Processing promises to deliver shorter lead times and lower transportation costs for customers. Importantly, there is also a positive impact on the resilience of the supply chain. Steinmann adds, “There is also the environmental benefit of shorter transportation routes, which aligns with our own sustainability goals and those of our mining customers”

“We work towards finding the right balance between local and global sourcing, and are committed to supporting the local economy, skills development and job creation capability,” says Steinmann.

He acknowledges that, like all businesses in South Africa, the local screening media facility must meet the challenges of power disruptions from loadshedding, cable faults and cable theft. To prevent these issues from affecting the reliability of production and supply, Sandvik Rock Processing has invested significantly in sufficient backup power generating capacity to keep the plant running as required.

Client Focus

SANDVIK LAUNCHES UPGRADED 800i CONE CRUSHER RANGE

Sandvik Rock Processing is introducing its upgraded 800i cone crusher series. A major talking point is the new ACS-c 5 automation and connectivity system, which integrates the capabilities of all of Sandvik’s crusher modules and subsystems into a single automation system. 

The upgraded Sandvik 800i cone crusher series is now available globally, effective March 1, 2024, confirms Nils-Peter Ahlqvist, Sales Support Manager, Africa & Latin America – Crushing Division at Sandvik Rock Processing. 

“The Sandvik 800i cone crusher range’s combination of high crushing forces, reliability and simplicity make it easier to operate, manage, maintain and service, resulting in productivity and uptime gains that are gamechangers for operational performance,” says Ahlqvist. 

The latest Sandvik 800i crushers with new ACS-c 5 combine simple, yet robust mechanical design with powerful user-friendly automation to better support diverse operational roles. The new role-based interaction functionality simplifies the work of operators, maintenance personnel and engineers by offering guidance, access to valuable data and tools for proactive maintenance and optimisation.

The ACS-c 5 automation system guides the operator through alarms and recommended actions, streamlining the decision-making process during alerts and minimising the impact of potential issues. 

“Maintenance personnel have access to an improved historical and operational data log, providing a comprehensive overview of the crusher’s performance. The new automation system offers engineers more opportunities to monitor, analyse and optimise the crusher’s performance,” explains Adam Taylor, Business Line Manager Crushing Solutions –  Africa at Sandvik Rock Processing. 

With sustainability in mind, the upgraded Sandvik 800i crushers are designed to eliminate inefficiency in operating mines, as well as in greenfields operations. For example, in flowsheets including three-stage crushing and conventional grinding, these crushers assist SAG/AG circuits with pebble-crushing and optimise particle size distribution for lump ores and heap leach applications. The Sandvik 800i crushers are also suitable in high pressure grinding roll (HPGR) circuits. They crush more and deliver finer particle sizes to the downstream processes.

“With the latest 800i crushers, we are able to produce much finer product (down to mill feeds of sub 6 mm) from our crushing and screening circuits, ultimately resulting in improved milling and overall process performance. This translates into less energy consumed and reduced wear in downstream processes. In other words, we allow customers to ‘crush more to grind less’,” says Ahlqvist.

The upgraded Sandvik 800i crushers are ready to be connected to the SAM by Sandvik cloud-based digital assistant. SAM collects information from all connected Sandvik equipment to provide a complete overview of the entire operation. Customers can look at the status of their connected equipment, communicate across teams, view alerts and notifications, pro-actively order spare parts, and much more. 

“With the new SAM mobile app for iOS and Android, customers can have an overview of their crushing fleet, monitor equipment data and key parameters, receive alarms from the ACS system directly in their pocket and get recommended actions created to help them solve issues more quickly,” concludes Ahlqvist.

Client Focus

IN-HOUSE ENGINEERING EXPERTISE GIVE MINES VALUABLE FLEXIBILITY

With its well established design and manufacturing capabilities in South Africa, Sandvik Rock Processing delivers customised and standard vibrating equipment solutions, including screens and feeders, to customers that enhance future flexibility.

Gideon de Villiers, Engineering Manager at Sandvik Rock Processing, says the company has built its success on decades of field experience – and the nurturing of its mechanical and metallurgical engineering skills base. Its 21,000 m2 facilities, in Johannesburg South Africa, house modern workshop and testing facilities that are ISO 9001:2015 accredited and produce world class solutions for global markets.

“A key aspect of our design philosophy is to ensure that our customers can be more agile when their operational demands change,” says De Villiers. “This allows cost effective modifications to be made relatively quickly, without unduly disrupting production.”

He emphasises that this is possible due to the depth of vibrating equipment related expertise that the company has developed, where in-house mechanical and metallurgical experts can come together to find screening and feeding solutions. It is also thanks to the far-sighted initial design of Sandvik Rock Processing’s screens, which carefully take into account the opportunities for future modification.

“There are various technical complexities to consider when creating a design that allows future flexibility,” he explains. “Achieving modified results with an existing machine – rather than replacing it – means a more sustainable solution with less waste. At the same time, the new design must accurately match the new requirements, which we can test and validate using technology like Finite Element Analysis (FEA).”

He notes that efficient design and engineering also make use of cutting edge software and tools such as  advanced CAD and CAE solutions  allows for sophisticated modelling, analysis and prototyping.

“We attract, retain and nurture some of the best skills in the sector, and encourage continuous improvement through training, academic programmes and specialised professional conferences,” says De Villiers. “We also collaborate with universities, research institutions and laboratories to promote cutting edge research and innovation projects.”

A recent success for an iron ore mining customer in the Northern Cape saw Sandvik Rock Processing extend the life of the mine’s scalping screen deck from six weeks to six months – by stiffening the frame and improving the panels’ rubber compound.

Client Focus

MEETING AFRICA’S GROWING DEMAND FOR VIBRATING SCREENS AND FEEDERS

Across the diverse commodities landscape of Africa, the demand for vibrating screens and feeders is on the rise. Sandvik Rock Processing, a prominent player in the industry, has observed a noticeable surge in brownfields projects aimed at replacing existing equipment in various operations.

Frengelina Mabotja, Business Line Manager Screening Solutions at Sandvik Rock Processing, attributes this increased interest to the company’s strong reputation for delivering fit-for-purpose screens and feeders meticulously engineered to meet specific application requirements.

As one of the leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) specialising in screening solutions on the African continent, Sandvik Rock Processing stands out with its capability to provide optimised solutions that comprehensively consider every aspect of a process plant’s operation. Mabotja says that at the core of this capability lies the company’s formidable engineering team, playing a pivotal role in tailoring solutions to meet the unique needs of each customer.

“Unlike a one-size-fits-all approach, Sandvik Rock Processing takes a customised approach, recognising that each process plant possesses a distinct configuration and processes ore with its own characteristics. In essence, we position ourselves as a partner to our customers, offering bespoke screening solutions tailored to their specific operational requirements,” she explains.

One of the critical aspects of this tailored approach involves on-site inspections, R&D and close collaboration to ensure that replacement equipment not only meet but also exceed the required throughput. Sandvik Rock Processing often finds itself replacing competitor products that failed to meet operational criteria.

“In such instances,” Mabotja says, “delivering a solution that seamlessly fits within the existing footprint of the process plant while also achieving the necessary process requirements is where the company excels. This flexibility and adaptability are key strengths that set Sandvik Rock Processing apart in the industry.”

Backing this strength is the company’s extensive local manufacturing facility capable of delivering products with relatively short lead times. This capability ensures that customers’ needs are met promptly, minimising downtime and maximising operational efficiency.

Recent replacement projects undertaken by Sandvik Rock Processing span a range of commodities, including iron ore, diamonds, gold and platinum applications. This diverse portfolio underscores the company’s versatility and expertise in addressing the specific screening challenges posed by different commodities.

The demand for Sandvik Rock Processing’s expertise extends beyond the borders of Africa. Enquiries via the Sandvik network from across the globe further attest to the company’s reputation as a trusted provider of screening solutions.

Crucially, in addition to their products, Mabotja also emphasises the importance of customer support. Sandvik’s extensive network of operations in Africa and beyond provides customers with the assurance that proactive customer support is available whenever needed.

“Our ability to deliver custom-engineered screening solutions, coupled with a solid commitment to providing outstanding customer support, positions us as a pivotal player in meeting the growing demand for vibrating screens and feeders across Africa’s diverse commodities landscape,” Mabotja concludes. As the industry continues to evolve, Sandvik Rock Processing’s tailored solutions and expertise are set to play a central role in enhancing operational efficiency and productivity for their valued customers.

Client Focus

SANDVIK ROCK PROCESSING DRIVES MANUFACTURING AGILITY TO MEET RISING DEMAND

To keep pace with record equipment orders, vibrating screen and feeder original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Sandvik Rock Processing is driving manufacturing agility at its South African facility. Director Operations for the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) Region, Riaan Steinmann, says the goal of agile manufacturing is to respond quickly to customer and market demands, while maintaining production output and quality.

“We have recorded a solid growth in the past three years in our screens product range. As a result, Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions South Africa is now well positioned as one of the leading vibrating equipment suppliers not only in South Africa, but in Africa at large,” says Steinmann. “We have also made strong inroads in other regions such as Europe and the Middle East.”

In fact, Sandvik Rock Processing South Africa’s exports have increased significantly with numerous screens being shipped across the African continent and internationally. A case in point is the recently completed order to supply over 72 screens and associated equipment to a large copper mining operation in Central Asia.  

To meet this rising demand for its equipment, which has seen Sandvik Rock Processing South Africa producing about 60 machines a month in recent times, the company is driving agility within its manufacturing environment. Being agile has allowed the company to easily adapt to changing market conditions and meet or even exceed customer expectations.  

“On the back of the significant growth of our screening offering in recent years, we have seen the need to continuously review and optimise our internal processes,” says Steinmann. “For example, our workshop layouts are based on job-shop lean manufacturing processes to cater for any customised components. We make use of in-house designed precision engineered jigs and fixtures to increase our production efficiencies and at the same time secure quality of these components.”

To further drive agility, Sandvik Rock Processing has adopted a strategic outsourcing programme for non-core components to alleviate pressure on its own manufacturing facilities and help ensure timeous customer deliveries. Some of the non-core components being outsourced to carefully selected service providers include cleats, bearing covers, gearbox shafts and housings, amongst others. 

“We work closely with these suppliers, most of whom are within a 10 km radius of our Spartan manufacturing facilities. While we conduct regular quality inspections at their facilities, most of them have worked with us for many years and now have a strong understanding of our quality standards,” says Steinmann. “We also hold significant stock of various critical components to make sure our customers get the best availability and service.”

What makes the Sandvik Rock Processing South Africa manufacturing team even more agile is that the production and engineering teams work in close collaboration with each other to swiftly resolve any design and manufacturing discrepancies that might occur during manufacturing. 

“Over time, our production and engineering teams have developed strict in-house quality standards which include, but are not limited to, welding procedures, fastening sequences, torquing of bolts, levelling, sequence of assembling subcomponents, shot blasting and paint specifications,” explains Steinmann. 

In addition, Sandvik Rock Processing invests in its people to ensure its employees are trained to adopt an agile mindset. This allows them to meet the company’s evolving production needs at any time, whilst ensuring maximum productivity and efficiency. 

“Upskilling our people allows us to build on our competence and stay ahead of industry needs,” says Steinmann. “We have an above average percentage of highly skilled and qualified staff, including boilermakers, artisans, certified welders and engineers. Having the right skills, however, is one thing, but being able to retain them is quite another. A positive working culture has been instrumental to our low staff turnover rate and a good retainment of skills.”

The impact of the current energy crisis in South Africa has been detrimental to local manufacturers, says Steinmann. The current fragmented factory operations, which are situated at different locations, make it a bit challenging to install backup generation capacity. 

“We have, however, invited local suppliers to tender for the supply of alternative power supply sources for all our workshops. This will require a significant investment, but on the upside it will help ensure we continue to be the same reliable and agile supplier we have always been to our customers,” he says. 

Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions, which includes the Kwatani screen products, the Schenck Process Mining screens and Sandvik’s original screening products, is well positioned to become the leading screening solutions provider with global best manufacturing practices in place. In addition, the company has a well-established global distribution and service network. 

“Our facility is set to become the global engineering and manufacturing base for vibrating equipment for both local and international customers who are looking for quality cost effective screening solutions that will enable them to achieve the total lowest cost of ownership,” concludes Steinmann. 

Client Focus

SANDVIK ROCK PROCESSING SCREENING SOLUTIONS BUILDS ON AFRICA FOOTPRINT FOR SCREEN BUSINESS

It is a well proven fact that companies succeed where they are closest to their customers, and this is driving Sandvik Rock Processing to leverage the extensive Sandvik footprint across Africa.

According to Gavin McLaggan, Lifecycle Services Manager at Sandvik Rock Processing Screening Solutions, customers in the crushing and screening markets can now have quicker access to support within the region or country. This allows the same high standard of support for all its products, including the Sandvik, Kwatani and Schenck screening products – which are all now supported by Sandvik Rock Processing. 

“We recognise the importance of being close to our customers and aim to establish long term relationships with them,” says McLaggan. “Having facilities that are close to our customers throughout Africa is crucial for our support-driven strategy, and we believe this differentiates us significantly from competitors.”

For instance, he explains there are regional Sandvik offices in South Africa for the Southern African area, in Zambia for Central Africa and in Ghana for West Africa – as well as country offices in nine other countries. The presence of existing workshop facilities and spares warehousing is a real gamechanger for growing Sandvik Rock Processing’s screening business. 

“As Sandvik rock Processing, we are prioritising the presence of our teams on the ground in countries where our screening equipment is already working,” he says. “By leveraging Sandvik’s strong presence in most countries, we can react rapidly and provide backup support whenever and wherever it is needed.” 

Many customers will have the benefit of in-country refurbishment opportunities, for instance, instead of having to send equipment cross-border for mechanical attention. The local support means lower transport costs, faster turnaround times and less operational downtime. This includes the availability of technicians and specialists to give customers optimal assistance throughout the lifecycle of their screens. 

“Closer proximity to customers also allows them to have their equipment serviced more regularly – and to OEM standards,” he explains. “By focusing on the entire lifecycle and reducing the total cost of ownership, Sandvik Rock Processing aims to provide customers with enhanced value and improved outcomes.”

He highlights that the high quality of workmanship gives a second life to these machines, further improving their contribution to mining customers’ bottom line profitability. The local footprint also gives Sandvik Rock Processing easier access to customers’ sites, so they can become more familiar with their specific challenges and requirements. 

“Mines are increasingly looking to their supply partners to hold as many of their consumable items and critical spares as possible,” says McLaggan. “As we leverage the Sandvik footprint, Sandvik Rock Processing is engaging with customers to ensure we understand their current and future needs, so we can develop our spares holding capacity of in-country offices accordingly.” 

This capacity building strategy also includes the technical training of personnel in various countries, equipping them to deliver maintenance, repairs and refurbishment in line with ISO quality standards. Developing long term relationships with customers is a key aspect of the Sandvik vision, he emphasises. 

“We are continuing to build the business so that customers are assured that we will always be here with the support they need,” he concludes. “This is what maintains and develops the positive trust on which strong relationships are based.”

Client Focus

FIRST SANDVIK SCREEN PACKAGE BUILT IN SA

Sandvik Rock Processing, a global leader in the mining and rock excavation industry, has marked a significant step in its expansion across Africa with the successful completion of its first South African-manufactured screen package. This milestone project was undertaken at the company’s world class Spartan facility in Johannesburg, which already produces the Kwatani and Schenck products as part of Sandvik’s screening solutions offering. The capability to also produce the Sandvik original screen range signals a new phase in Sandvik’s African presence and growth.

Riaan Steinmann, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Operation Director Screening Solutions at Sandvik Rock Processing, showing the grizzly bars which were manufactured using VRN500 high manganese durable plates, equivalent to AR500 plates. The grizzly gazettes determine the specific cut size of the ore.
Riaan Steinmann, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Operation Director Screening Solutions at Sandvik Rock Processing, showing the grizzly bars which were manufactured using VRN500 high manganese durable plates, equivalent to AR500 plates. The grizzly gazettes determine the specific cut size of the ore.

Riaan Steinmann, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Operation Director Screening Solutions at Sandvik Rock Processing, says the achievement is a testament to the facility’s local design and engineering prowess. He emphasises the South African facility’s capability to build high quality vibrating screens from raw materials, which also includes a range of exciter gearboxes using locally procured castings. This innovative approach enables the company to maintain strict quality control and facilitates shorter delivery times for their customers, thereby improving the customer experience significantly.

The screen package that marks this milestone was specifically ordered by a gold mining client located in North-East Africa. It includes a vibrating grizzly screen with a motor-driven exciter, five feeders, and two custom-engineered feed-in chutes. Steinmann praised the facility’s streamlined processes and the benefits of local procurement, which collectively allowed the project to be successfully completed within an impressive timeframe of three months.

Showcasing Sandvik's unique model coding numbering and safety decal stickers on one of the screens which made up the first Sandvik screen package manufactured in South Africa.
Showcasing Sandvik’s unique model coding numbering and safety decal stickers on one of the screens which made up the first Sandvik screen package manufactured in South Africa.
Sandvik Rock Processing’s Quality and Assembly Managers working together to achieve the best quality screens and feeders.
Sandvik Rock Processing’s Quality and Assembly Managers working together to achieve the best quality screens and feeders.
The Sandvik screen package included the supply of five feeders.
The Sandvik screen package included the supply of five feeders.

“Manufacturing screens in South Africa represents the same standard as those produced in Europe or India,” Steinmann says underscoring the global quality benchmark. He also notes the multiple benefits including reduced shipping times and costs due to Southern African Development Community (SADC) trade agreements. Moreover, he highlights the positive impact on the local economy through exports and increased capacity leading to job creation.

Steinmann’s team adheres to strict standards and procedures during the manufacturing process. They are particularly careful in selecting the correct assembly and welding requirements for each component, ensuring fabrication and welding is aligned with the company’s stringent internal controls.

“Importantly, we aim to serve not only the African continent but also other regions within the Sandvik Rock Processing group,” Steinmann concludes. “The successful execution of this first Sandvik screen package has not only underscored our position as a world class manufacturer but also underlines our ambition to become Africa’s preferred screening solution partner.”

Client Focus

MATCHING CRUSHERS AND SCREENS FOR BEST RESULTS

The careful alignment of screens and crushers in processing makes for optimal throughput and efficiency, by ensuring that all settings and parameters are ideally matched.

“The Kwatani product can now give their vibrating screen customers added benefits in this regard, being part of the global Sandvik group – which is well known for its crushing solutions,” says Kenny Mayhew-Ridgers, Regional Business Director at Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions South Africa. “The advantage is that the Kwatani screens can be specified and optimised with Sandvik’s range of crushers – ensuring that the key elements of the circuit are perfectly matched.”

Kwatani double deck banana screen on route to the customer.

Earlier this year, Kwatani and the mining related business of Schenck Process Group (SP Mining) were incorporated into the Sandvik group within Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions South Africa. Mayhew-Ridgers explains that the screens and crushers in any mineral processing plant are two critical lines of equipment – and they need to be well integrated to optimise the performance of both.

“There is a risk that operators and service technicians may focus on the one item without taking into account the impact of the other,” he says. “The settings and parameters on both the screens and crushers must suit the mined material, and must be perfectly aligned for best results.”

If the crusher is not delivering the required size distribution of material, for instance, the screen will not perform to expectation. The Kwatani product is now able to specify a vibrating screen along with the optimal Sandvik crusher specification, he explains. 

“With Sandvik as the OEM for both equipment lines, we bring our in-depth product insight into how the different equipment will best serve the customer’s specific requirements,” he says. 

An integrated solution is based on a careful assessment of the nature and size distribution of the material which will be fed into the crushing and screening circuit, says Gavin McLaggan, Lifecycle Services Manager for Africa at Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions South Africa. This opens the door to increased efficiency and bottom-line profitability.

“Among the improvements that can be achieved are reduced energy consumption and less wear on the crusher liners – while gaining more throughput,” says McLaggan. “Where there are changes to the orebody and resulting material, there may be an opportunity to change the particle size distribution (PSD) and raise the throughput further.”

The Kwatani product’s inclusion into Sandvik has facilitated a valuable two-way sharing of knowledge on screening technology, says Mayhew-Ridgers. This is a considerable benefit for customers as decades of research and development are combined.