In-house R&D Parker highlights the extensive research and development behind the next generation crawler, noting that the improvement process begins with a detailed analysis of historical data from legacy units to identify key opportunities and challenges. “We then explore how to influence the behaviour of a particular system to achieve the desired result,” he explains. “For example, with the enlarged recovery nozzle we used computer simulations and 3D printing to create smaller prototypes for experimentation. Our on-site test facility allowed us to simulate recovery conditions at scale and run performance trials.” “Our R&D team takes the design to a certain stage before handing it over to the engineering team for full-scale detailing,” Parker says. “Collaboration is key - everyone contributes their expertise and the process continues right up to operational deployment. The lessons we learn in operation feed directly into the next generation.” Agostinho describes the next generation crawler as a groundbreaking integration of innovation, operational experience and disciplined engineering. “By upgrading our precision recovery tools, adaptive systems, automation and predictive maintenance capabilities, we have created a platform for the next decade of offshore diamond recovery,” he says. “With its focus on reliability, precision and efficiency, this crawler will recover more material, more consistently and with less downtime - even in increasingly challenging conditions.” n
The Next Generation Crawler (NGC) team at Upstream Technology, from left: Abdul-Gameed Davids, Senior Workshop Engineering Officer; Rudi Agostinho, NGC Project Manager; Steven Smith, Senior Project Engineer; and Sebastian “Bas” van der Laer, Mining System Specialist. (Absent: Imraan Parker, Technology Development Manager).
astecindustries.com
+27 11 820 7600
DECEMBER 2025 - JANUARY 2026 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za MODERN MINING 31
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker