Material transfer solutions specialists Weba Chute Systems highlights the importance of customised chute designs to overcome potential bottlenecks on transfer points at mining operations.

The company is currently working with a mine in the Northern Cape to improve material flow. The contracts are for an apron feeder discharge chute and a jaw crusher feed chute. Weba Chute Systems regional manager Northern Cape Arnold Archer says the company previously supplied the mine with a SAG mill feed chute, and collaborated successfully to improve performance within that application.

With run-of-mine material at the mine including large lump sizes of 800 mm to 1.2 m, there is a high risk of blockages if the chutes are not purpose-designed, he explains. The high velocity of the material can also cause considerable damage to chutes as well as create excessive dust.

To ensure the most appropriate design, the company gathers information on a range of variables such as lump size indicators, belt speeds, feed rates, moisture content and material velocity. The application-specific data ensures a design that optimises flow and equipment life.

Archer notes that most mines will have the necessary data gathering systems in place to inform the correct chute design, with the use of tachometers on conveyors, blocked chute detectors and feed monitors. The company is then able to systematically collate and consider the information during chute design.

“On the apron feeder discharge chute, for instance, we designed a swing door that will absorb most of the impact of big lumps moving at high velocities,” he says. “This also helps to protect the wear plates on the jaw crusher.”

The aim of the design on the Northern Cape mine will be to assist the mine reduce the incidences of chute blockages, spillage and excess dust – making the process more streamlined and less labour intensive. Archer points out that the mine aims to achieve higher uptime through optimal chute performance. The reduction in spillage and dust also contributes to the mine’s high standards of health and safety.

Improvements made on the SAG mill feed chute at the mine included changes to the liner composition and pattern. Instead of removing all the liner segments to reach the middle row, the pattern change now allows this row to be removed without loosening all the other liners, he notes.

Weba Chute Systems can also install its own chutes or provide supervision and assistance where the mine arranges the installation itself.