With its comprehensive line-up of minerals processing equipment, Multotec’s specialised equipment and systems can assist operations in realising Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals.
Virtually all the company’s products can, to a greater or lesser extent, reduce consumption of resources such as water and energy and allow for more efficient operations. A prime example is provided by the pulping chute, a highly innovative concept in fines scrubbing which was first installed at Ekapa Minerals’ Combined Treatment Plant (CTP) in Kimberley in late 2019. More recently it has been successfully trialled at a diamond mine in Botswana.
Multotec’s pulping chute, a highly innovative concept in fines scrubbing. Image credit: Multotec
“The pulping chute performs the scrubbing action faster and more efficiently than a traditional rotary scrubber,” says Rikus Immink, Multotec’s CEO – South African Operations. “It can use recycled water, which is a major benefit, and it also lowers energy costs. Moreover, it involves less capital outlay.”
Other Multotec products which are able to contribute to energy and water saving include the company’s classification cyclones, which provide efficient solutions for desliming and dewatering; the company’s ultra-fines spirals, which offer a non-chemical process for fines recovery and allow easy water recovery; its centrifuges and filter presses, which deliver effective solid liquid separation and dewatering solutions; and its screening media, the benefits of which include the recovery of non-chemical water.
Immink also notes that Mato belt cleaners help to prevent spillage and reduce clean-up requirements. “This is not a product that gets much attention and yet it can play an absolutely crucial role in cutting wastage and in maintaining a clean environment,” he states.
Multotec’s comprehensive line-up of minerals processing equipment and systems can assist customers in realising their ESG goals. Image credit: Multotec
The energy savings made possible by the company’s products and systems help, of course, to reduce the carbon footprints of mine sites. “At Multotec we take carbon footprint reduction very seriously and strive to achieve this both in our own operations and, through our equipment, at our customers’ operations,” says Immink. “Multotec equipment that can play a significant role in this respect includes our coal spirals, which produce cleaner coal with less energy consumption, our DMS cyclones, which also deliver cleaner coal, and our mill lining solutions, which optimise mill efficiencies, thereby reducing power demand.”
The company has extensive facilities in Spartan, Johannesburg, where they manufacture with an accredited local content certificate from SABS.
With global supply chains currently experiencing severe constraints, the ability to manufacture locally represents a major competitive advantage. In addition, the company has branches in, or close to all South Africa’s mining areas, offering quick delivery of parts and products, as well as fabrication and refurbishment services.
Multotec products manufactured in South Africa have a level of local content averaging 60%. Image credit: Multotec
A recent development in terms of service has been the establishment of Multotec Services, with 51% black ownership. “This initiative reflects our determination to partner with local communities and to assist our customers in reaching Mining Charter targets,” explains Immink. “In essence, we are appointing people from local communities to carry out site services – for example, tile installation and ceramic wear tiling of chutes. We also identify suitable local candidates and small businesses and train them to perform to the company standards.”
Immink stresses that to get the most out of the company’s equipment, customers need strong backup from Multotec as well as training in product operation and management. “We are very strong in both these areas. On any particular day in South Africa, we will have around 135 engineers out in the field, engaging with our customers, working with them to provide solutions and helping them optimise operations,” he remarks.
“This on-site support is supplemented by intensive training programmes which draw on our almost 50 years of experience in minerals processing across six continents. We can conduct training in-person but we also make use of online platforms and it is by no means unusual for our webinars to attract around 400 participants.”
Commenting on current business conditions, Immink says that the company is experiencing almost unprecedented demand for its equipment, as mines ramp up operations to meet the global economy’s current appetite for minerals and metals of every type.