As mining companies continue to look for ways to make their operations more efficient and cost effective, and remain competitive as the global market emerges from a protracted period of low commodity prices, effective supporting equipment, such as festoon systems, have become increasingly relevant, says electrical products supplier Powermite.

The Johannesburg-based company stresses that “festoon systems are the life blood of mobile electric bulk materials handling machinery”, feeding energy, data, air or fluids to these machines to keep them moving. With a range of mining operations, such as opencast and underground mines, quarries, stockyards and ports, depending greatly on the reliable operation of bulk materials handling machines, equipment longevity, maximum uptime and high productivity levels are fundamental to ensuring sustainable production and, subsequently, profitability.

“No matter how extreme and arduous the conditions, it is paramount that festoon systems, thus, maintain a reliable, efficient, seamless and uninterrupted feed to machinery at all costs. “Powermite’s specialised festoon systems set the benchmark in quality and rugged reliability,” says Powermite MD Donovan Marks.

In partnership with French multinational Delachaux’s mobile energy supply and data transmission systems provider Conductix-Wampfler, Powermite’s materials handling division has been distributing Conductix festoon systems, cable reeling drums and slip-ring housings to the Southern African mining industry for over 40 years.

Marks highlights that, drawing on Powermite and Conductix-Wampfler’s combined experience in electrification systems, the modular design of the light-, medium- and heavy-duty festoon systems incorporate the latest technology to deliver above-average operational life, easy installation and uncomplicated operation. Cost-effective maintenance with the subsequent lowest possible operational and ownership costs and rapid return on investment is, further, guaranteed to customers.

The design and correct alignment of the cable significantly influences the performance of energy and data transmission in the festoon. The compact, rugged and reliable custom-made range of cable carriers on the festoon systems, moreover, effectively and efficiently handle and protect flat and round power cables that transfer electrical energy and data to machinery.

The I-Beam cable carrier is suited for heavy-duty applications, including bulk container handling by cranes typically used at ports. With a load capacity of up to 125 kg and a maximum system length of 150 m, the C-Rail cable carrier is an ideal energy supply system for light- to medium-duty applications and is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.