TAKRAF South Africa supplies two apron feeders to DRC copper-cobalt mine

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 mining operation 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 11.2 m 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 950 mm diameter lumps. TAKRAF says its apron feeders are increasingly in demand from projects across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly for challenging and abrasive material handling work, where they are preferable to belt feeders, which it says 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 2,184 mm long and 1,830 mmwide, 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 are able to 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 degrees.”