Bulk materials handling in the mining industry is a significant challenge, with conveyor systems often having to achieve belt speeds from 2.5 m/s to 5 m/s, says chute systems and solutions company Weba Chute Systems founder Werner Baller.

He says the correct application of Weba Chute’s scientific approach to the dynamics of bulk materials handling can eliminate the problems associated with conventional transfer chutes, resulting in significant cost savings.

This has been proven through the successful installation of the company’s chute systems in the diamond mining industry.

Baller explains that the company’s chute system is based on the lined ‘super tube’ or cascade system that results when material runs on material.

He adds that Weba Chute Systems has accumulated significant intellectual capital about the perfect transfer point for conveyor-to-conveyor, conveyor-to-stockpile and conveyor-to-screen applications.

“Weba Chute Systems has pioneered the development of transfer-point technology in the mining industry, with more than 4 000 of its systems installed globally to date,” says Baller.

Apart from being contracted to undertake long-term refurbishment contracts at diamond mines, Weba Chute Systems also introduced specific innovations for the diamond mining industry. These include a slurry screen splitter distributor system that allows for a nominal belt capacity of 600 t/h.

“This was a very interesting application, whereby the scrubbing process takes place within the actual chute itself, which was designed in such a manner that it caused a change in direction, resulting in turbulence and, therefore, a scrubbing action within the material being transferred,” Baller explains, adding that to facilitate the scrubbing process, water is introduced at strategic points inside the chute.

He adds that the company’s chute system is applicable to any situation where bulk materials handling is required, from cement to the mining of commodities and minerals.

Diamond mining companies tend to focus on the infrastructure related to their kimberlite pipe mining operations, often at the expense of their bulk materials handling systems – and, in particular, transfer points, says Baller, adding that “if designed and engineered properly, taking into account the overall system, transfer points can play a vital role in increased throughput and productivity”.

Weba Chute Systems considers a holistic design that does not only focus on the entry and exit points, but which also incorporates the control of the flow, volume and velocity of the material being transferred at all times, says Baller.

He says, by custom designing each transfer point, the company’s individual chute systems can be configured to control the direction, flow and velocity of the calculated volume and type of material processed in a particular application.