As mining operations push for greater efficiency, safety and sustainability, the role of transfer points has moved from the periphery to the forefront of materials handling strategy. Mark Baller, Managing Director of Weba Chute Systems, says the company is seeing a significant shift in how the industry views and manages these critical components.

“Transfer points are no longer treated as secondary or generic elements of a plant,” Baller says. “We are pleased to see that in many instances chute systems are now being recognised as strategic assets that influence uptime, wear rates, energy use and even compliance with environmental standards.”

This changing mindset is driving demand for custom-engineered chute systems that are designed not only to move material, but to do so in a controlled and predictable manner. Baller explains that uncontrolled flow, free falling material and high impact zones at transfer points are key contributors to excessive dust, spillage and equipment wear – all of which erode productivity and increase operational risk. 

Weba Chute Systems addresses this by focusing on flow control and energy dissipation in every chute it designs. “Increasingly, mines are asking for solutions that go beyond simply transferring material from one conveyor to another,” he says. “They want reduced dust emissions, longer wear life, easier maintenance access and ultimately, a safer and cleaner plant environment. These outcomes are only achievable through tailored designs based on site-specific conditions.”

To meet these expectations, Weba Chute Systems relies heavily on Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) to simulate material flow and optimise performance before a chute is manufactured. This digital approach not only predicts how material will behave but allows the company’s skilled engineers to pinpoint high wear zones and ensure the correct liners are placed for maximum protection. The result is a solution that extends wear life, reduces the need for unplanned maintenance and cuts down on associated downtime.

Baller notes that there is a growing preference for bespoke chute systems rather than standardised units, and this is exactly where Weba Chute Systems has achieved its mark in the mining and materials handling industry globally. 

“Mining operations are increasingly aware that variations in material type, particle size, flow rate and plant layout require a design that is purpose-built and not off the shelf,” Baller says. “Our approach begins with an on-site assessment and consultation, ensuring that each chute integrates seamlessly into the surrounding infrastructure, whether feeding a crusher, a screen or another conveyor.” 

He adds that effective chute design also plays a vital role in safety performance and environmental compliance. By eliminating uncontrolled discharge and managing flow paths with precision, custom engineered Weba chutes reduce spillage, limit dust clouds and improve visibility in areas that are often congested and high risk.

“What we are seeing is a deeper appreciation for what happens at transfer points, and a recognition that investing in smarter design upfront has long term benefits,” says Baller. “Our systems are not just engineered to move material. They are engineered to protect assets, people and productivity.”

With over 5 000 Weba chutes operating in mines and materials handling facilities around the world, the company’s reputation is built on a foundation of innovation, reliability and application-specific performance. As the industry continues to evolve, Weba Chute Systems remains committed to leading the way in transforming transfer points into enablers of efficient, safe and sustainable mining.

Dust generation has long been a critical challenge in bulk materials handling, with significant implications for safety, health and environmental compliance. Weba Chute Systems, a leading specialist in custom-engineered transfer point solutions, has positioned its technology as a proven way to dramatically reduce dust transmission while simultaneously improving operational efficiency.

Dust – More Than Just a Nuisance

In industries such as mining, power generation, cement and ports, dust is more than a simple housekeeping concern. Airborne dust creates serious health risks for workers, contributes to environmental pollution and can trigger regulatory penalties when emissions exceed permissible levels. Dust also increases maintenance requirements, shortens equipment life and can even create safety hazards such as reduced visibility or combustible atmospheres.

“These are not minor inconveniences,” notes Dewald Tintinger, Technical Director at Weba Chute Systems. “Dust impacts the health of employees, the lifespan of equipment and the company’s environmental footprint. Left unchecked, it can cost operations heavily – both financially and reputationally.”

These challenges have intensified with stricter environmental regulations globally and a growing focus on sustainable operations. Companies are under pressure not only to comply with legislation but also to improve their ESG performance. Weba Chute Systems’ transfer point solutions are helping operators address these concerns head-on.

Engineered Chutes That Control Flow

At the heart of Weba Chute Systems’ dust-reduction capability lies its fundamental design philosophy – controlling the flow of material. Traditional chute systems often allow material to free-fall, leading to uncontrolled impact, turbulence and the generation of dust clouds. By contrast, Weba Chute Systems are engineered to control both the velocity and direction of material flow.

“The principle is simple,” Tintinger explains. “If you reduce impact and turbulence, you reduce the energy that causes particles to become airborne.” By carefully directing material onto the conveyor in a streamlined manner, dust generation is drastically curtailed.

“Our designs are not generic. Every transfer point is engineered to suit a customer’s specific conditions, so the system works with the material rather than against it,” he adds. 

Lining and Sealing for Dust Containment

A further feature of Weba’s design is the effective sealing of the chute system. Engineered with wear resistant liners and designed with attention to transfer geometry, the chutes prevent dust from escaping into surrounding areas. Where needed, dust suppression or extraction systems can be integrated seamlessly into the chute design, ensuring compliance with the most stringent emission standards.

Weba Chute Systems’ in-house design team uses the latest simulation software, including discrete element modelling (DEM), to predict material behaviour inside the chute. This allows the company to optimise liners, flow paths and sealing systems before manufacturing begins. The result is a custom-engineered solution that not only contains dust but also minimises spillage and wear.

“Our DEM capability gives us a powerful window into how the material will behave,” Tintinger points out. “We can predict dust issues before they occur and design them out of the system – that is a real gamechanger.”

Efficiency and Environmental Gains

Reducing dust transmission is not just about compliance; it also improves the bottom line. Dust that escapes into the air represents a loss of valuable product. By containing material more effectively, Weba Chute Systems help customers improve throughput and reduce waste.

At the same time, less dust means reduced wear on conveyor components, lower cleaning and maintenance requirements and safer working environments. These gains contribute directly to operational efficiency and sustainability.

“As much as dust control is a health and safety imperative, it is also a cost issue,” says Tintinger. “Every ton of material lost to dust is revenue gone. By addressing dust, we protect both people and profits.”

Proven Success Across Industries

Weba Chute Systems’ dust-control solutions are in operation across a range of industries and commodities from mines to power stations, cement plants and other bulk handling facilities. Each system is custom engineered for its specific application, taking into account the type of material, the rate of flow, particle size and environmental requirements. 

In ports and loading terminals, where dust emissions are highly visible and subject to strict monitoring, the systems ensure compliance while maintaining fast loading rates.

“Whether it is in large scale port operations or on a mine, the principle is the same,” Tintinger says. “Control the flow, contain the dust and you achieve safer, cleaner, more efficient operations.”

Commitment to Innovation

With decades of experience and thousands of installations globally, Weba Chute Systems continues to invest in innovation. Its dedicated research and development team works constantly to refine designs, enhance materials and explore new methods of dust suppression.

The company’s approach is not limited to the initial installation. Weba Chute Systems provides ongoing inspection and maintenance services to ensure systems continue to perform optimally over their lifetime. Customers benefit from reliable transfer points that remain compliant and efficient long after commissioning.

Tintinger says that as industries move towards more sustainable, responsible and efficient operations, dust control has become an imperative rather than an option. “Our engineered transfer points provide a holistic solution, reducing dust transmission, enhancing safety, safeguarding the environment and improving efficiency,” he says.

“By addressing dust at its source – within the transfer point itself – we help operators move beyond reactive measures and achieve proactive control. This not only ensures regulatory compliance but also delivers lasting value to both business and society,” Tintinger concludes.

On the strength of its first transfer chute installation at Vedanta International Zinc’s Gamsberg mine in the Northern Cape, Weba Chute Systems has steadily expanded its footprint at this dynamic operation.

According to Arnold Archer, Regional Manager Northern Cape at Weba Chute Systems, the company’s involvement began early in the mine’s development with a custom-engineered chute to feed the semi-autogenous (SAG) mill.

“Over time, we collaborated closely with the mine to enhance the chute’s performance,” says Archer. “This included optimising the composition and thickness of the cast liners to extend their wear life.”

To simplify and speed up liner replacement during shutdowns, Weba Chute Systems redesigned the liner pattern on the spout. The company also introduced a standby spout system that could be swapped out through a simple bolt-off, bolt-on procedure – enabling maintenance to be done even outside of scheduled shutdowns.

“As we demonstrated our expertise and added value, the mine invited us to assess other transfer points where they were experiencing operational challenges,” Archer explains. “These included the jaw crusher feed chute and the apron feeder discharge chute, both of which handle large run-of-mine ore lumps up to 800–1200 mm.”

Material arriving at the jaw crusher was also moving at high velocity, leading to excessive wear and damage. After analysing the application, Weba Chute Systems proposed a solution.

“We replaced the existing jaw crusher feed chute with one of our custom-engineered designs incorporating swing doors to absorb the energy of incoming material, reducing impact and wear,” says Archer. “We later implemented the same swing door concept in the apron feeder discharge chute. Today, swing doors are also installed on the vibrating grizzly feeder and directly above the crusher – all effectively controlling flow and reducing wear.”

Weba Chute Systems went a step further by modifying the impact bed on the grizzly feeder. By raising the impact bed, incoming material begins to slow down before reaching the first swing door.

“These innovations made a significant difference, particularly in managing the impact from oversized lumps,” he notes. “We also finetuned door weights to optimise material flow, prevent build-up and reduce the risk of blockages.”

The mine also commissioned Weba Chute Systems to install a SAG mill discharge chute, which Archer reports has been operating “like clockwork” since commissioning. This chute accommodates a 4 m transfer height, tapering from a 2.4 m wide screen opening to a 600 mm wide conveyor belt.

“The success of this bespoke unit lies in the careful placement of dead boxes within the chute to promote material-on-material flow,” he explains. “It was equally important to manage the discharge speed to avoid damaging the conveyor belt.”

Archer credits the Gamsberg plant’s professional and solution-oriented culture where the emphasis is on resolving root causes rather than symptoms and on working collaboratively with trusted suppliers to overcome technical challenges.

In the world of materials handling, transfer chute design is often underestimated – sometimes with costly consequences. While it may seem like a simple task, it is in fact one of the most complex aspects of materials handling design, as some of the world’s largest equipment suppliers have discovered to their detriment.

Mark Baller, Managing Director of Weba Chute Systems, says the company’s more than four decades of experience have highlighted a consistent misunderstanding across the mining sector – that anyone can build a chute. “Over the years, we have seen a number of big-name global players try to enter the market, only to withdraw when they realised that chute design is not a bolt-on activity. It demands highly specialised expertise,” he says.

The problem, says Baller, is the widespread perception that chutes are little more than simple platework structures. This belief has led many companies to assume that designing and manufacturing transfer chutes is a relatively low-risk and low-skill endeavour – when the reality is the opposite. 

“Each transfer point must be custom engineered to suit the application, considering factors like particle size, density, velocity and trajectory. A standardised or off-the-shelf approach simply doesn’t work,” he explains. 

Weba Chute Systems has spent decades building a deep understanding of material flow and applying that knowledge to bespoke chute design. “We don’t just design chutes to move material. Our solutions are engineered to control the flow which protects downstream equipment, reduces dust and spillage and, importantly, improves overall plant performance,” explains Baller.

A well-designed and engineered chute can significantly enhance the performance and lifespan of costly equipment like conveyor belts. Poorly designed chutes, on the other hand, can result in excessive wear, environmental hazards, unplanned downtime and in severe cases, bring entire operations to a standstill.

To ensure each chute is fully optimised, Weba Chute Systems uses advanced simulation tools such as discrete element modelling (DEM), which allows engineers to model the behaviour of individual particles and understand how they interact with the chute structure. “This technology gives us insight into particle flow dynamics and allows us to precisely control flow direction and velocity,” says Baller. “We can engineer solutions that deliver real measurable improvements in safety, productivity and operating cost.”

He points out that with almost 5,000 chutes installed globally, the company’s solutions have been proven in the field across a range of demanding applications, environments and commodities. “Our designs are backed by hard-won experience and continuous innovation. This is not something you can replicate overnight by simply buying design software or completing a short training course.”

While Baller welcomes healthy competition in the industry, he cautions that entering the chute market without deep technical knowledge and a long term commitment can lead to poor outcomes for both the supplier and the customer. “When chutes underperform or fail, the impact on mining operations can be significant. It makes far more sense for mines to partner with experienced specialist providers who understand the nuances of material flow.”

He concludes by reiterating the critical role that chutes play in plant performance. “Despite being a relatively small capital item, a chute’s failure can halt production entirely. That is why our approach is rooted in delivering engineered quality and reliability – because when it comes to chute design, getting it wrong is simply not an option.”

In many mining and other industrial plants, transfer points are the unsung heroes of materials handling – quietly facilitating the continuous flow of product through the process. Yet, too often, these critical chute systems are overlooked when it comes to routine maintenance, leading to premature wear, unplanned downtime and costly replacements.

According to Mark Baller, Managing Director of Weba Chute Systems, the long term efficiency and reliability of a materials handling system hinge on the consistent upkeep of its chute systems. When left unchecked even minor issues at the transfer point can escalate, damaging equipment, compromising throughput and raising the overall total cost of ownership.

“Transfer chutes experience high levels of impact, abrasion and wear, making them particularly vulnerable if not properly maintained,” Baller says. “Unfortunately, many operations don’t allocate sufficient resources to monitor the condition of their chutes, and this is where the cost spiral begins.”

To support mines and plants that lack dedicated chute maintenance teams, Weba Chute Systems offers a comprehensive solution. This begins with a detailed on-site audit to assess the current condition of the chute systems and identify areas of concern. From there, the company provides a report outlining what is required to restore each chute to optimal operating condition. Once this has been achieved, a proactive maintenance programme is implemented to ensure the systems remain in top form.

This service-driven approach not only ensures the longevity of the chute systems but also contributes to improved plant performance and reduced operational costs.

“By maintaining the chutes correctly, customers can significantly extend the wear life of their materials handling systems and avoid the capital outlay associated with repeated replacements,” he notes. “It’s a cost effective sustainable strategy that supports better planning and minimises unexpected breakdowns.”

Weba Chute Systems’ maintenance programmes are tailored to the specific conditions and wear patterns of each site, ensuring that potential issues are identified early and addressed timeously. This approach delivers long term savings and operational peace of mind.

“In today’s competitive mining and processing environments, where uptime and efficiency are paramount, overlooking the maintenance of chute systems is no longer an option,” Baller concludes. With Weba Chute Systems’ support, mines and plants can ensure that their materials handling infrastructure continues to deliver – reliably and cost effectively.

A custom-engineered chute has been delivered by Weba Chute Systems to a mining operation in Saudi Arabia, following more than a year of close collaboration to assess the customer’s operational challenges and identify opportunities for improvement.

According to Faizal Mahomed, Client Services Manager at Weba Chute Systems, the relationship with the mine began in 2023 when the company was invited to the site to evaluate performance issues on several existing chutes and propose potential solutions.

“The recent installation of our first chute at this mine follows earlier site visits where we were asked to provide input on possible improvements,” says Mahomed. “The operation had long been facing issues with its existing chutes, which failed to adequately control material flow, resulting in excessive wear and equipment damage.”

One of the major challenges was frequent blockages that interrupted production and caused costly downtime and maintenance. During his initial site visit, Mahomed was able to assess the operation directly and made a key observation regarding the lump size of the material being transferred. This led to a recommendation to widen the discharge opening of the existing chute – effectively resolving one of the main issues.

“There was still a problem with material falling freely through the chute for nearly three metres, gaining velocity and causing severe impact damage,” Mahomed explains. “As we built a relationship of trust with the customer, they requested a feasibility study on one of their most problematic chutes. This ultimately led to the first order in late 2024 for one of our custom-designed solutions.”

The problematic chute was feeding a conveyor into a surge bin and included a bypass function that was not working effectively. This design flaw frequently caused blockages, forcing shutdowns for manual clearing. 

Critically, Weba Chute Systems also identified that the chute’s positioning in relation to the head pulley required modification to improve overall performance.

“Our recommendation was to implement our 2.3 metre custom-engineered chute design in conjunction with repositioning the head pulley,” says Mahomed. “This required the construction of a new head frame, modifications to the gantry and a slight elevation of the conveyor. These changes enabled the successful installation of the Weba Chute in March, and it has since performed exactly as expected.”

Mahomed highlights that controlling the material flow was central to the chute’s design, particularly to enable effective bypass when the surge bin was full – something Weba Chute Systems was able to demonstrate through detailed CAD models and simulations. Both the existing chute and the proposed solution were digitally modelled, allowing the customer to compare the performance and clearly visualise how the new design would address their issues.

“The optimised angle of repose in our chute, combined with the use of a dead box, were key elements in the final design, selected after evaluating several alternatives,” he says. “Our solution also reduced the need for additional equipment, while lowering wear, noise levels and dust emissions.”

This is achieved by ensuring that incoming material lands on a bed of material already present inside the Weba Chute, formed by the placement of the dead box, effectively shielding the liner and significantly reducing maintenance requirements.

The successful implementation of this custom-engineered chute marks a significant milestone in Weba Chute Systems’ ongoing collaboration with the Saudi Arabian mining operation. 

“By combining on-site analysis, advanced modelling and a custom-engineered design, Weba Chute Systems delivered a solution that not only resolves longstanding operational challenges but also enhances efficiency, reduces maintenance and improves overall plant performance. This project underscores the value of engineered transfer point solutions and the importance of close customer engagement in achieving lasting results,” Mahomed concludes. 

In the high-pressure environment of bulk materials handling, transfer chutes play a more pivotal role than many realise. While often overlooked, these components are critical to ensuring seamless flow, minimising downtime and reducing maintenance costs. And as Mark Baller, Managing Director of Weba Chute Systems, points out, the difference between a standard chute and a custom-engineered solution can have far-reaching operational and financial consequences.

With more than 5,000 chutes installed across mining, power generation, ports and industrial plants around the world, Weba Chute Systems brings over four decades of experience and technical insight to each project. The company’s core belief is simple: chutes must be engineered for the specific application and site conditions. “Too many operations fall into the trap of using generic transfer point solutions,” says Baller. “But the reality is that every plant handles different materials with different flow behaviours and impact forces. This requires a scientific and tailored approach.”

Weba Chute Systems differentiates itself through its controlled flow designs which reduce velocity and manage impact, resulting in less turbulence, spillage and dust. The design process is underpinned by Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) software which simulates material behaviour through the chute. This enables engineers to visualise how material will move under real-world conditions – predicting wear patterns, identifying potential blockages and optimising liner placement before the chute is built.

The result is a transfer system that delivers long term reliability and lower total cost of ownership. Weba chutes are lined with a range of wear-resistant materials including ceramics, hardened steel, rubber and polyurethane, carefully selected and placed based on operating demands. Their modular construction also allows for easier maintenance and faster liner replacement, reducing both downtime and safety risks for maintenance teams.

Another important advantage is the company’s ability to retrofit chutes into existing structures without major civil works. “We often conduct on-site assessments that include 3D scanning, enabling us to custom-design a chute that slots into the available space while solving longstanding issues like blockages, uneven wear or excessive dust,” Baller explains.

Across its extensive reference base, Weba Chute Systems has delivered results in some of the most challenging conditions, from underground platinum mines with sticky ore to high tonnage iron ore operations running 24/7. In one example at a large copper mine, a Weba chute reduced liner changeouts from every three weeks to just twice a year, delivering substantial savings on maintenance and production stoppages.

Baller emphasises that a chute should not be seen as a standard commodity, but rather as an integral part of an optimised materials handling system. “It is easy to overlook the transfer point until it starts failing but by then the damage is already done, both in terms of cost and productivity. At Weba Chute Systems, we engineer for performance, longevity and value. That’s why we say with confidence – not all chutes are created equal.”

Technological advancements in the digital space are paving the way for a key trend in the management of transfer points: a transition from reactive to proactive maintenance. 

Mark Baller, Managing Director of Weba Chute Systems, notes that chutes were traditionally replaced or repaired only after failure, resulting in unplanned downtime and higher costs. However, today’s leading mines are leveraging digital technologies to monitor equipment and processes in real time, enabling them to identify and resolve potential issues before they escalate.

“This is certainly the direction in which transfer point technology is evolving,” says Baller. “Mining operations are increasingly leveraging data to prevent unplanned downtime and optimise equipment performance.”

He explains that the value of data begins with building a historical record of equipment condition and performance, enabling more accurate maintenance predictions. To support this, Weba Chute Systems has developed an inspection app that allows clients to monitor chute performance remotely. The app simplifies data collection and storage, enabling Weba to analyse trends and provide customers with informed maintenance recommendations.

“With remote monitoring, we can identify trends and build a predictive maintenance model, allowing customers to schedule maintenance more efficiently,” Baller explains. “This level of transparency strengthens our partnership with clients and enhances the overall efficiency of their operations.”

He emphasises that an improved maintenance strategy not only increases operational uptime but also extends equipment lifespan. This reduces capital expenditure and minimises steel wastage while maximising the customer’s return on investment in the chute. Enhanced predictability also streamlines the supply chain, allowing both the OEM and the customer to anticipate spare parts requirements in advance.

Another key advancement for Weba Chute Systems is the move towards standardising chute components. While the company is renowned for its custom-built transfer chute solutions, it has been developing standardised components that can be used across multiple chute installations. This approach enhances efficiency, reduces lead times and streamlines maintenance.

“Previously, every chute required custom components, forcing clients to keep a variety of different parts in stock,” Baller explains. “Now, we are shifting towards more standardised components, enabling clients to streamline their stockholding while still maintaining the flexibility to meet their maintenance requirements efficiently.”

This transition is especially advantageous for large mining operations with multiple chutes. By introducing component interchangeability, Weba Chute Systems is helping clients reduce operational costs while enhancing equipment longevity and overall efficiency.

Health and safety continue to be key considerations in chute selection, and Weba Chute Systems’ advanced designs optimise material flow while minimising turbulence, significantly reducing dust generation. Baller emphasises that a well-designed chute is often a more effective solution for dust control than relying on dust extraction systems.

The cost of installing and maintaining a dust extraction system can be significant and if the chute design itself generates excessive dust, the system may not be very effective,” says Baller. “Our chutes have demonstrated that a well-engineered design can eliminate the need for a separate dust extraction system, helping customers avoid unnecessary expenditure.”

A prime example is a coal mine in the United States that was at risk of being shut down due to environmental concerns over excessive dust. After switching to Weba Chute Systems’ innovative technology, the results were remarkable.

“The customer was able to remove their dust extraction systems entirely because our chutes alone produced even less dust than their previous system did with extraction in place,” Baller explains.

The proven success of Weba Chute Systems’ designs has driven strong growth across sub-Saharan Africa, with an expanding footprint in the Middle East, Australia, Canada and the United States.

“We are particularly excited about opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa,” Baller says. “In markets like Australia and North America, our strategy focuses on engineering and design, while local partners manage fabrication. This approach allows us to leverage our expertise while ensuring efficient service to local industries.”

An expanding gold mining operation in the Caribbean recently faced a significant challenge at one of its transfer points, where sticky ore – especially problematic during the hot summer months – was causing blockages and excessive maintenance.

To solve the issue, the mine turned to South Africa-based Weba Chute Systems, renowned for its custom-engineered transfer point solutions. According to Technical Manager Dewald Tintinger, the problematic chute was a large 10 metre or three-storey-high transfer point that received run-of-mine ore from a conveyor. However, the original placement of the head pulley was not conducive to smooth material flow.

“One of the core benefits of Weba Chute Systems is our dead box design, which allows material to form a protective layer on the chute’s internal surfaces,” says Tintinger. “This not only significantly reduces wear but also extends the chute’s service life and lowers total cost of ownership.”

He adds that the dead box design also minimises maintenance, avoiding the frequent liner replacements required with conventional steel-lined chutes, saving time, cost and improving safety.

To effectively channel the sticky ore, Weba Chute Systems engineered a large bifurcated chute. The main chute was designed at a precise angle to allow the bulk of the ore to flow freely through the dead box section, while a smaller chute with liners accommodated a minor portion of the material.

Crucially, implementing this design required relocating the head pulley. “We conducted extensive investigations including sampling and testing the ore to understand its flow characteristics,” Tintinger explains. “By calibrating our discrete element modelling (DEM) software with real test data – including static and dynamic angle of repose – we were able to define the exact positioning of the head pulley for optimal flow.”

Given the height of the transfer point, another key consideration was managing material velocity. “To control the speed and impact of the ore, we included reverse-flow sections within the chute,” he notes. “These strategically interrupt the trajectory, reducing wear and the need for ongoing maintenance.”

Tintinger concludes that the project highlights Weba Chute Systems’ ability to solve even the most demanding materials handling issues through customised engineering. “This installation is another example of how our solutions deliver lasting value, even in complex and remote mining environments.”

Weba Chute Systems has appointed Toolquip Namibia as its official agent in Namibia, a move that forms part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its footprint across the African continent. The appointment will significantly enhance Weba Chute Systems’ ability to serve the Namibian mining and industrial sectors by ensuring faster more responsive access to its custom-engineered transfer point solutions as well as after-market support. 

Toolquip Namibia, based in Swakopmund, is part of the international Gruposilgest Group headquartered in Spain. The decision to appoint Toolquip Namibia followed a rigorous selection process to ensure alignment in values, technical capabilities and quality management systems.

Edward Cruickshank, Business Development Manager at Weba Chute Systems, says that Toolquip Namibia met all the key criteria including a well-established footprint in the local mining and industrial markets, proven project experience, strong market reach and the capability to deliver robust sales and aftermarket support. The company also complies with internationally recognised quality systems such as ISO 9001.

“We are recognised for our innovative approach to chute design, improving throughput and operational safety, and this is underpinned by our focus on high levels of customer support,” says Cruickshank. “By appointing an agent in Namibia, we are reinforcing our commitment to provide high-quality service and technical support where our customers operate. A local partner allows for faster response times, more effective site assessments and quicker implementation of engineered solutions.”

Prior to this appointment, Weba Chute Systems supported its Namibian customers directly, often travelling across the country’s vast and remote landscape to maintain strong relationships and ensure the performance of its equipment. This proactive approach saw the company successfully install several transfer point solutions at Namdeb’s Southern Coastal Plant 3. These included the CV1 Head Chute, the Tripper Car Discharge Chute, and the CV09 Split to Two Screens Chute – each replacing outdated problem-prone chutes that had suffered from frequent blockages, high wear and limited maintenance access.

Using advanced engineering technologies such as Discrete Element Modelling (DEM), Weba Chute Systems delivered fully engineered solutions that eliminated these issues and continue to operate reliably since commissioning. These installations reflect the company’s ability to tailor solutions to meet specific site challenges and improve overall plant performance.

“With Toolquip Namibia now acting as our local agent, customers in the region will benefit from significantly improved access to technical support, spare parts and maintenance services,” says Cruickshank. “We are providing Toolquip with extensive training on our technologies and chute design philosophy, ensuring their team is fully equipped to support our customers effectively.”

Evangelos Lioutas, Technical Advisor Africa at Weba Chute Systems, confirms that the relationship is built on a strong foundation. “After a series of engagements and a visit to their facility, both companies recognised the potential for long-term collaboration.”

The presence of a local agent is especially important in reducing reliance on cross-border technical support and shortening turnaround times, which is crucial for mining operations where downtime has major cost implications. Weba Chute Systems’ close collaboration with Toolquip will ensure that Namibian customers have immediate access to diagnostics, engineered recommendations and efficient aftermarket support.

This partnership is also expected to create new opportunities beyond Namibia. With Toolquip’s existing operations in Mauritania and Zambia, Weba Chute Systems anticipates further expansion into these regions, building on Toolquip’s local market knowledge and network.

The appointment of Toolquip Namibia underscores Weba Chute Systems’ ongoing commitment to providing world class material transfer solutions across Africa. By deepening its local presence, the company continues to ensure that its customers benefit from the most reliable and advanced technologies in the market, backed by expert support and strong regional partnerships.