Spurred by the Electra Mining Botswana conference and exhibition’s growing popularity, bulk materials handling solutions company Martin Engineering will exhibit at the event for the first time, says marketing leader Fran van der Berg.

Electra Mining Botswana will be held at the Gaborone Fairgrounds from September 12 to 14. It is being organised by trade show organiser Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, in partnership with Botswana-based communications company Soapbox Communications.

Martin Engineering, whose South African branch is located in Witbank, Mpumulanga, hopes to gather good leads regarding mining projects in Botswana, as well as its neighbouring countries, at this year’s Electra Mining Botswana.

Van der Berg explains that such events provide a reputable platform from which to showcase new products. In addition, these types of events allow for face-to-face interactions with existing customers based in remote areas. “It also provides insight into your competitors’ strategies and what they are doing in the mining industry.”

To take advantage of an influential audience at Electra Mining Botswana, Martin Engineering will showcase its CleanScrape belt cleaner. It was manufactured in collaboration with Germany-based belt cleaning producer and developer CleanScrape. Martin Engineering announced in February that it had acquired CleanScrape, making the CleanScrape belt cleaner wholly owned by the company.

Martin Engineering Global MD Michael Hengl notes that the collaboration with CleansSrape was a logical one, as “our business models are based on comparable values, innovative solutions and quick in-house decision-making”. He added that CleanScrape will continue to exist as a separate company that will be an integral part of the Martin Engineering company. “With the acquisition of CleanScrape, we have received a great product and a highly skilled and motivated team,” Hengl enthuses.

The CleanScrape technology was first introduced to the market in 2010. Unlike conventional belt cleaners that are mounted at a 90º angle to the belt, the CleanScrape cleaner is installed diagonally across the discharge pulley, forming a three-dimensional curve beneath the discharge area that conforms to the pulley.

The CleanScrape’s design prevents damage to the belt and splices, and has been shown to remove up to 95% of potential carry-back material, reducing belt cleaning costs and maintenance time. In addition, a series of overlapping tungsten tips provide the scraping effect of the cleaner. The tips are interconnected by steel components and moulded into a flexible rubber blade that is flame retardant and antistatic approved.

Hengl says the CleanScrape belt cleaner represents an entirely new dimension in belt cleaning. “We’re so confident in its performance that we offer a money-back satisfaction guarantee.”