A stalwart at Electra Mining Africa (EMA) for over 35 years, beneficiation product and services supplier Multotec Group is well known as a supplier to the mining industry. To add to the customer experience, the group used EMA 2014, which took place at the Nasrec conference centre last month, as a platform to showcase its entire offering in a participative and educational manner.

One of Multotec’s exhibits addressed predictive maintenance on screens. The human eye cannot discern the amount of wear on a screening surface and plant operation needs vary with regard to cut size or the wear rate on a specific panel type. Multotec’s solution makes it easier to determine cut size and the remaining panel life through the employment of the patented Wear Indicator.

The production process starts by accurately moulding a series of small holes at predetermined and equally spaced depths below the screen’s wear surface. Once the panel is in operation and a hole is exposed through abrasion, it is simple to estimate remaining panel life because of the relationship between wear rate and depth. Managing screen downtime is simplified and unnecessary panel replacement is eliminated, because the system allows panel change-out to become predictive rather than reactive.

Another innovative product is the TeePee screening media panel, which is ideal for dewatering and slimes removal. It increases the screening surface, improving the panel open area, for a resultant increased screening capacity without any changes in the footprint. Multotec’s test rig will demonstrate the improved drainage of the TeePee panel over conventional panels.

A scaled model of various screening media panel options was used to demonstrate the screen classification and efficiency capabilities when using Multotec panels. The company also exhibited a cutaway of a scrubber/trommel combination showing the rubber scrubber liners and the different types of trommel panel solutions for semi-autogenous grinding mills to scrubber applications. A static screening media display showed the wear life cycle of screening panels.

Mato Belt Fastening Solutions
Mato belt fastening solutions were on display with live demonstrations using a lacing machine. The Mato system consists of a laser cutter and skiver, and is characterised by high static and dynamic strength, better scraper interaction, less wear and noise reduction on pulleys and idlers.

Multotec Rubber
A cutaway section of a 3-m-diameter mill with a single ring of lifter bars and shell plates was positioned on the outside stand and was equipped with mill liner scanning technology. An operational scale model of a mill trajectory was situated adjacent to this display.

A demonstration of the MillTraj software used by Multotec Rubber to design mill liners indicated how the trajectory could be modelled electronically. The Hawkeye display demonstrated how readings from a mill liner scanner could be converted into easy-to-understand graphical displays of the wear of the lifter bars and the shell and head plates.

Mill circuit specialists from Multotec were available to demonstrate on-site circuit audits and provide suggested improvements to increase process plant performance.

Cyclones
Multotec has a reputation for its range of cyclones, and this year’s exhibit included the well-known cast iron cyclone, which provides maximised output and minimised downtime. There was also an operational model of a cyclone, which demonstrated the vortex.

Sampling
Accuracy in sampling equipment is critical to the success of any mining operation and visitors were able to view the actual sampling procedure. A belt-end cross-stream sampler, available for all conveyor widths between 450 mm and 2 100 mm, showed the inherent strengths of this product. All units are custom designed to conform to customer requirements, as well as ISO and other relevant international sampling standards.

Gravity Concentration
Exhibits that covered gravity concentration included three-dimensional (3D) models of Multotec spirals and a 3D printed scale model of a pilot plant, together with a cross section of a pipe launder arrangement, which complemented the new test rig on display, which can house any spiral in the Multotec range.

Whims
Multotec’s wet high intensity magnetic separators (Whims) use electromagnetic coils to generate very high magnetic force that can be implemented to allow separation of paramagnetic minerals. This technology also employs unparalleled high gradients, within its exchangeable matrices, to allow for recovery of fine material down to 15 µm.

Multotec Group has served the local and international mining industry for over 40 years, offering appropriate quality process related product solutions to the mining industry remains an integral part of the group’s strategy.

Electra Mining Africa 2014
Visitors to Multotec’s EMA stand viewed scale working and static models, as well as cutaway exhibits of Multotec’s equipment. In addition, real-time data from condition monitoring and other measuring activities were available for review by visitors. Experienced Multotec engineers were on hand to talk customers through these processes in an interactive style.

Since training forms such an integral part of Multotec Group’s offering, its skilled training personnel were present to demonstrate this vital value-added service for customers, given the critical skills deficit the world is currently experiencing.

Multotec’s depth of technology expertise was experienced firsthand at the group’s outside stand. Customers had access to some of the latest technologies that position the group as a leader in its industry sector, such as aspects of 3D modelling used in research and development.