The MDS static and mobile trommels as well as the apron feeders of South Africa-based equipment supplier BLT World are compatible with the crushers, feeders, recycling and otherscreening plants in local surface mining operations.

“Our customers in the mining sector have shown a particular interest in the MDS M515 all-terrain track trommel series,” says BLT World MD Ken Mouritzen.

The MDS M515 series can handle rocks of various sizes and efficiently separate difficult and sticky materials, such as mud and clay, he adds.

The robust series, with a 30 t hopper capacity, can produce three products concurrently at an output exceeding 400 t/h, providing maximum productivity and reduced downtime.

Mouritzen tells Mining Weekly that these trommels have been well received, not only locally but also globally, as they have been designed with the versatility to multitask, which is a critical factor in the selection of capital equipment.

“MDS trommels are manufactured with large-sized drums and can accommodate up to three different screen sizes to facilitate the separation of rocks into four different sizes,” he says.

MDS’s customised systems have important features for high efficiency, including remote-control use, modular drums, drum cleaners and electronic systems to accurately monitor and control operation.

“Mobility is important too – these machines can be moved around the site and from mine to mine if need be,” Mouritzen enthuses.

MDS trommels provide an advantage in screening, as they can efficiently handle large rocks and are also effective in cleaning clay-bound rock, and rocks mixed with limestone and other tricky materials, in preparation for crushing.

MDS machines are also used to clean overburden and blasted rock as well as being suitable for producing rip rap material in quarries, he adds.

“Where many conventional machines fail in wet, harsh mining conditions, these trommels, which are fitted with drum cleaners, are designed to clean rocks and prevent sticky material jams in all weather.”

Meanwhile, MDS trommels, which are manufactured from high tensile steel, are also suitable for processing abrasive materials such as granite.

Technical features include a fines conveyor, an oversize conveyor with a maximum rock size of 80 cm and a mid-product conveyor with a maximum rock size of 46 cm.

The diesel-powered machines also have a heavy-duty drum with interchangeable screens and a hydraulic push feeder.

On The Range

BLT World’s MDS range also includes the M615 static trommels that are designed for removing soils and fines from rip rap or blasted rock. These machines have an output capacity of between 350 t/h and 500 t/h.

Further, the M820 unit is a large, heavy-duty rock trommel, capable of screening rock of up to 1 m at about 750 t/h. This modular machine is available with three or four splits and is suitable for cleaning dirty rock or for screening blasted material.

The static M825 machine, which handles rocks of up to 1.5 m in size, can be used as a primary screener for material direct from a blast. The hopper, with a 100 t capacity, can be loaded by dump trucks and has an output of 1 250 t/h.

The static M825 machine is also available with hydraulic rock breakers.

The MDS M515 three-split mobile track trommels have an advanced cleaning mechanism that keeps the drum apertures unblocked.

Notably, the MDS M515 is supplied with fold-out stockpiling conveyors and can be transported around a mine and from one site to another.

The MDS range also comprises trommels designed for light recycling materials, including compost and wood bark.

MDS trommels can be designed and manufactured to exact specifications and vary in terms of trommel width, diameter and the aperture of the holes.

The size of the fines removed by the trommel screen is predetermined by the holes in the trommel drum and varies depending on the operation, waste stream, volume of material and product specifications.

BLT Worlds’ MDS apron feeders, with electric or hydraulic drives, are available as standard units for quarries, aggregates or recycling applications, as well as heavy-duty machines for underground mining environments.

Mouritzen concludes that MDS trommel screens and apron feeders, which are also available from BLT World on a fully serviced rental basis, are supported by a technical advisory, supply and repair service throughout Africa.