Melco supplies conveyor components to Jwaneng Cut-8 worth over R2m
PRESS RELEASE
Melco supplies conveyor components to Jwaneng Cut-8 worth over R2m
29 April, 2013:Internationally-recognised conveyor equipment manufacturer Melco has supplied R2.3-million worth of conveyor components to the US$3-billion Cut-8 extension at the Jwaneng open pit diamond mine in Botswana, which is the largest by value in the world.
This establishment of the Jwaneng Cut-8 project represents the single largest private investment in the history of Botswana, and will extend the life of the mine to at least 2025, while unearthing diamonds worth an estimated US$15-billion during that timeframe.
The scale of the Cut-8 extension project has catapulted Jwaneng to ‘super-pit’ status, as the depth of the mine will increase from 330 m to 624 metres by 2017. In total, more than 700 million tons of waste earth is expected to be removed in order to reach the kimberlite deposit.
Melco's involvement in the project began in December 2009, and to date the company has supplied the project with 1 700 frames and 6 250 rolls for 1 200 mm, 1 500 mm and 1 800 mm belt widths with an approximate mass of 110 tons.
Melco managing director Gavin Hall points out that the company was contracted by material handling solutions expert FLSmidth Roymec, which placed the orders for the idlers in April 2010. "The manufacture and supply of the idlers was completed by September 2010," he notes.
Carry idlers supplied included;
1 200 mm belt width: 45° with 3 x Ø127 x series 25 steel rolls
1 500 mm belt width: 45° with 5 x Ø127 x series 25 steel rolls
1 800 mm belt width: 45° with 5 x Ø152 x series 30 steel rolls
Return idlers supplied included;
1 200 mm belt width: 10° with 2 x Ø127 x series 25 steel rolls
1 500 mm belt width: 10° with 2 x Ø127 x series 25 steel rolls
1 800 mm belt width: 10° with 2 x Ø127 x series 25 steel rolls
Despite the large scale of the project, Melco sales and marketing director Craig Warmback highlights the fact that no major challenges were encountered. "Usually there are logistical issued associated with cross border deliveries. We were, however, able to avoid these challenges by delivering the goods to a nominated freight forwarder appointed by FLSmidth Roymec."
Warmback adds that Melco has also sold to a number of motorised pulleys to the Debswana Jwaneng Mine, which is separate from the Cut-8 Project. "We have sold a total of three off 30kW x Ø630mm x 1600mm face length x 1.6m/s, and four off 75kW x Ø800mm x 2500mm face length x 2.0m/s. The reasons the motorised pulleys were preferred was due to spacing saving compared to conventional drive pulley arrangements, in addition to superior efficiency and low maintenance."
Melco has been supplying products to Debswana since 1995, and the company has worked on at least 12 different projects since then. "The main Melco products that have been sold in Botswana is standard steel rollers and frames, as these are well proven and trusted products throughout Africa that are SANS certified. Having established a strong presence in Botswana over the years, I am confident of the future outlook for Melco in this market, especially as investment looks to increase steadily in the short term," he concludes.
Ends
Notes to the editor
There are numerous photographs specific to this press release. Please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click the Melco link.
About Melco
Melco is one of Africa’s major conveyor equipment manufacturers. Melco has been a proud member of the Rulmeca Group of Companies since 2006. Melco idlers have been successfully utilised in many bulk materials handling applications in over 75 countries throughout the world, and installed on belt widths from 200mm to 3000mm. The Melco product range is comprehensive, comprising steel rollers ranging from 89mm to 215mm in diameter, with bearing and shaft arrangements from 25mm to 60mm diameter, HDPE rollers, idler frames and underground structure, and Rulmeca Motorised Pulleys.
Melco Contacts
Gavin Hall
Managing Director
Phone: 087 806 3160
Email: gavinh [at] melco [dot] co [dot] za
Media Contact
Ryan Collyer
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867-7763
Fax: 086 512 3352
Cell: 072 377 5000
Email: ryan [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za