A Polymetallic mine in the west of Tasmania produces Zinc, copper and lead concentrates as well as gold.
In September 2023 a trial installation of the Elastotec Magnefast™ ceramic wear panels was put in place on a dual deck transfer chute. The existing studded white iron wear liners were replaced with Magnefast™ ceramic wear liners on the top floor and side wall.
The main reasons for making the change to the Magnefast™ Ceramic Wear Liners were:
- Longer service life from ceramic liners (current wear liner life 6 months)
- Quicker Wear liner changeouts
- Reduced maintenance labour
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:
- Reduce liner changeout time
- Increase service life
- Reduce product usage
- Reduce OH&S risks
- Eliminate scafolding set up
CURRENT CONDITIONS:
Ore type: 25mm Polymetallic (Lead)
Drop height: 500mm onto top floor
Drop height: 1200mm onto bottom floor
Liner changeouts – every 6 months – 3 x 12 hour day shifts.
Scafolding required can take up to 2 hours.
Tonnes per hour: 115
Tonnes over the 6 month period: 517,440
Below photo shows the lower floor white iron worn through into the rubber lining and into the chute substrate.
TRIAL PERFORMANCE:
Magnefast™ trial achieved 6 MONTHS service life meeting the current liner objective. The Magnefast™ liners showed 7 mm of wear in a 50 mm thick ceramic, panels have not been replaced and are expected to eliminate several liner changes.
SERVICE LIFE INCREASE (PREDICTED)> 200%
Magnefast™ liners where not replaced at 6 month planned shut. Some panels rotated saving cost on product and reduced labor.
PROJECTED PERFORMANCE:
Projected Magnefast service life of 18 MONTHS based on a 15mm wear loss where impact occurs at 26-week inspection.
Labor savings by putting Magnefast in is estimated at:
> 80% REDUCTION
For additional information on Polymetallic metal mine:
David Molesworth
Wear Panel Solutions Sales Director
david@elastotec.com.au
+61 423 200 178
Paul Duthy
Wear Panel Solutions
Engineering Manager
paul@elastotec.com.au
+61 499 857 074
