TECHNOLOGY
The bottom shell of the old crusher is being removed to make way for the installation of the new Sandvik CH865i cone crusher supplied by Sandvik Rock Processing.
The bottom shell of the new Sandvik CH851i cone crusher supplied by Sandvik Rock Processing positioned on the ground in preparation for lifting into place.
The need to raise throughput levels at the mine had become pressing, with the mine’s stockpile quickly depleting due to the strategic demand for more ore. According to Michael Okunola, Service Manager for Sandvik Rock Processing West Africa, the solution also had to account for space limitations within the plant. “T he mine was considering adding another cone crusher to the existing lineup of three crushers could make a significant impact by addressing the capacity opportunities at that point in the circuit.” The mine was already operating three Sandvik CH660 cone crushers Sandvik CH865i unlocks major production gains at Ghana gold mine
production regime, the Sandvik CH660s comfortably met the required capacity,” he explains. “However, with the new production targets, a crusher with higher throughput capacity was needed.” In this application, the Sandvik CH865i is capable of delivering up to 400 tph - nearly double the previous throughput - significantly boosting the mine’s overall production. “The optimal solution was achieved by replacing the second - or middle - CH660 cone crusher in the mine’s tertiary circuit with a Sandvik CH865i model,” says Okunola. Once the new unit’s components arrived on site, Sandvik Rock Processing’s technical team collaborated closely with the mine’s team to implement the necessary adjustments within the plant. These modifications included installing a new locally manufactured hopper to accommodate the taller dimensions of the Sandvik CH865i crusher. The installation had to be carried out while the plant remained operational, requiring special measures to manage dust and maintain a safe working environment. “We worked with the mine to decommission the existing unit and implement the necessary concrete, steelwork and other critical infrastructure for the new crusher,” he explains. “The Sandvik
in the plant but with limited space available, we began exploring other options,” says Okunola. “Ultimately, the team was guided by the fact that the second of the three tertiary crushers was handling the bulk of the throughput, and we realised we
in the tertiary circuit and turned to Sandvik Rock Processing for a solution that would deliver the same exceptional performance and reliability, he says. “Under the mine’s previous
48 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | February 2026
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