Key mining equipment supplier Takraf Africa will officially launch the Takraf sizer equipment range onto the Southern African market later this year, following its official launch in Europe in 2016.

The sizer equipment, which has potential for application in coal mining, is already available on the local market and will be showcased during the Electra Mining Africa Expo at the Nasrec Expo Centre, in Johannesburg, from September 10 to 14. The equipment offers a significantly smaller, less capital-intensive alternative – with the same throughput – to that of less effective traditional crushing technology currently in use.

“Takraf Africa identified a need to add sizer equipment to its product portfolio and to integrate its proprietary crushing machines into a complete solution for mining clients,” Takraf Africa Technologies GM Richard Späth tells Mining Weekly.

He says the equipment includes standardised primary and secondary sizers covering a variety of crushing applications, with both ranges being suitable for the comminution of various material types.

A key differentiating factor of Takraf’s sizers is that special focus and attention were directed towards ease of maintenance, reduced downtime and long equipment service life during their initial development, explains Späth.

“As a result, Takraf’s machines offer unparalleled levels of maintenance efficiency and service life. “Some of the innovative solutions adopted include the quick and easy changing of crushing segments, as well as the use of advanced, wear-resistant materials, such as hard-faced segments and tungsten picks.”

Späth notes that the equipment has an inching drive for roll maintenance, which increases safety significantly, as well as a heavy-duty drivetrain system. The equipment has also adopted an efficient oil lubrication system for greater environmental sustainability.

“The equipment further boasts a compact design, high throughput performance – up to 10 000 t/h for the primary sizers and 3 500 t/h for the secondary sizers – and a high standardisation level of components, which further contributes to ease of maintenance and low running costs.”

Takraf’s equipment also aims to facilitate high safety-standard compliance, with double overload protection provided by a hydraulic system and safety coupling.

Coal Challenge
The coal industry globally has been in decline, largely because of the negative environmental impacts of coal and the subsequent search for alternative energy sources. Moreover, with an increased stringency of national air-quality regulations being stipulated in South Africa, Späth says there is an urgent need for holistic air pollution control mechanisms by coal mining industries worldwide.

He states that “such mechanisms will start with the collection and/or suppression of emissions at source to ensure a healthy working environment and reduce or even eliminate particulate emissions. Takraf Africa’s air environmental solutions, ranging from dust suppression and collection through to flue gas desulphurisation, complement its comminution and materials handling product ranges well,” he concludes.