Superior Industries has launched its heap leach conveyor system, a complete conveyor package specifically designed for complex heap leach mining applications. With the new system, metal mining operations have the ideal combination of machines to ensure efficient operation when working with a variety of precious materials including copper, gold and iron, according to the manufacturer.
Superior’s system includes four models of the company’s heavy-duty mobile conveyors, all of which are designed and built to each customer’s specific requirements: the TeleStacker conveyor, a horizontal index conveyor, a horizontal feed conveyor and grasshopper conveyors. While the system is built around these four standard machines, Superior fully customizes its mobile heap leach conveyor systems for every customer.
Because every heap leaching operation is different and the process is complex, mines are more likely to improve efficiency with a customized, comprehensive system of equipment. Superior’s team of engineers takes into account each operation’s unique characteristics, then customizes the full package, including each individual conveyor, to provide one complete, integrated system designed specifically for the operation.
Customization includes conveyor belt length and width, belt speeds, load areas, hoppers, mobile tracks, control systems, electrical components and total number of grasshopper conveyors. The strategically selected combination of machines and machine attributes in the heap leach conveyor system help ensure the smoothest material transfer and greatest efficiency possible with minimal machine movement.
The core of Superior’s heap leach conveyor system is the mine duty telestacker conveyor. The machine’s internal, or stinger, conveyor maintains constant motion along the cell to distribute material evenly and maintain a flat top to each heaped pile. It’s built with a longer stinger conveyor than similar radial telescoping units for greater flexibility in valley fill applications. The longer stinger also enables the stacking conveyor to pile more material per move. The telestacker conveyor features the FB undercarriage support system for safety and stability. The FB undercarriage is constructed of durable steel and features a tubular braced structure to prevent twisting and shifting. The conveyor can be equipped with steel tracks and attached to Superior’s FD series axle. The combination enables smooth travel, extra flotation and quick transition from radial to linear modes, according to the manufacturer.
Mounted to the telestacker conveyor is the horizontal index conveyor (HIC). This fully skirted conveyor is able to accept material from the horizontal feed conveyor at any point along its length for greater flexibility and minimal material spillage. It’s equipped with a track drive, enabling it to pull both itself and the telestacker conveyor along the cell’s centerline.
A horizontal feed conveyor aligns perpendicular to the HIC and grasshopper conveyors, and is a crucial material transfer point between the two. Because a grasshopper isn’t able to rise up and feed directly into the HIC, the horizontal feed conveyor moves material from the grasshopper conveyor to the HIC and maintains a consistent, steady flow of material between the two.
Acting as the initial material feed point, the grasshopper conveyor sits adjacent to the horizontal feed conveyor and transfers material to it. Superior’s standard grasshopper conveyors are 100 ft. (30 m) long, but the company can build them in longer, custom lengths often equal to the length of the HIC. Customers can use multiple units in a sequence, depending on the specific size and needs of the operation.
Superior engineers all the components and the system as a whole to ensure smooth material movement at all transfer points and the electrical integrity necessary whenworking with multiple conveyors. Superior also provides onsite assembly and training, which allows a crew to be productive quickly while also maintaining high safety standards.
For more information, call 800/321-1558.
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