Osborn completes Turnkey Contract at Somkhele Anthracite Mine

February 2009

Bulk materials handling specialist Osborn, part of the United States-based Astec Group, recently completed a contract for a new primary tip and secondary crushing station for Somkhele anthracite mine in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Projects Sales Manager, Clive Culverwell, reports that Osborn’s R23-million contract at the mine, which is situated near Mtubatuba, was a turnkey project that saw Osborn undertake virtually all elements of the project, including the supply and delivery of machines, construction, mechanical and structural elements, electrical and instrumentation and commissioning. Osborn did not undertake the execution of the civil works, but completed the civil designs to support the equipment, Culverwell adds.

The new primary tip and secondary area process the run-of-mine anthracite before the product material is stockpiled and transported to an existing crushing plant, which was originally supplied with Osborn equipment. “We secured our latest order at Somkhele based on the mine’s satisfaction with the Osborn machines that were already operating successfully in the existing plant, including a 42 x 48 Jaw Crusher and Vibrating Grizzly Feeder,” he notes. Close cooperation with the mine management in the development of the plant philosophy was also key to the success of this order.

The project has increased the capacity of the mine’s existing anthracite plant.

"The Osborn machines at the new primary crushing station comprise a 100 ton Receiving Bin with Static Grid, Reciprocating Plate Feeder and 42” x 48” Osborn Jaw Crusher," Culverwell explains. “From the primary tip, the material is fed by conveyor into an Osborn Rotary Coal Breaker, which has a dual purpose to remove most of the rock and reduce the anthracite down to nominal 80mm size. The new equipment will process up to a maximum of 750 tph run-of-mine anthracite.”

Based in Elandsfontein, Johannesburg, Osborn is a leading manufacturer of bulk materials handling equipment and specialist turnkey materials handling contractor for mobile and fixed crushing and screening plants and conveyor systems. Osborn is a member of the Astec Industries Inc. group of companies, a leading American manufacturer of plant and equipment for aggregate processing, asphalt road building and pipeline and utility trenching.