Highlighting the ongoing demand for Takraf apron feeders, key equipment supplier Takraf South Africa, part of the global Takraf Group, has supplied two machines for a leading copper/cobalt producer in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The order was carried out during challenging Covid-19 pandemic conditions, with installation and commissioning assistance provided remotely due to travel restrictions.
The Takraf apron feeders, which are being installed in two new crushing stations at the mine, are 1.830 mm wide by 11.2m long (18° incline) and feed copper/cobalt ore at 1 200 t/h from a truck tipping point to grizzly feeders, which in turn feed jaw crushers. They are designed to handle up to 950mm-diameter lumps.
Takraf apron feeders at the fabricators in Johannesburg South Africa. Photo by Takraf
Takraf apron feeders are increasing in demand from projects across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly for challenging and abrasive material handling work, where they are preferable to belt feeders, which tend to tear in such applications.
For example, in earlier orders, Takraf South Africa has supplied three apron feeders to a gold project in the Republic of Guinea, and five apron feeders to an iron ore project on the West Coast of South Africa.
At 2.184mm long and 1.830mm wide, the apron feeders for the iron ore project were designed as extractable feeders to facilitate maintenance, as they can be individually removed and taken to surface while the others continue operating.
Takraf South Africa has also received orders for a further apron feeder for a major copper mine in South Africa, which already has two installed underground.
Takraf apron feeders combine robust, heavy-duty frames with standard chains and rugged pans to provide extremely long service life. They can feed and discharge big lump sizes, hard and/or abrasive material. With minimal maintenance requirements, they are installed below dump hoppers, and at material storage or transfer facilities and can be used with the feeder slope inclined up to 22°.