Smart chute solutions at Gamsberg Mine Weba Chute Systems has expanded its presence at Vedanta Zinc’s Gamsberg mine through a series of custom-engineered chute solutions that address complex material flow challenges and reduce equipment wear.
O n the strength of its first transfer chute installation at Vedanta International Zinc’s Gamsberg mine in the Northern Cape, Weba Chute Systems has steadily expanded its footprint at this dynamic operation. According to Arnold Archer, Regional Manager Northern Cape at Weba Chute Systems, the company’s involvement began early in the mine’s development with a custom- engineered chute to feed the semi-autogenous (SAG) mill. “Over time, we collaborated closely with the mine to enhance the chute’s performance,” says Archer. “This included optimising the composi- tion and thickness of the cast liners to extend their wear life.” To simplify and speed up liner replacement during shutdowns, Weba Chute Systems rede- signed the spout liner pattern. The company also introduced a standby spout system that could be swapped out via a simple bolt-off, bolt-on procedure, enabling maintenance even outside scheduled shutdowns. “As we demonstrated our expertise and added value, the mine invited us to assess other transfer points where they were experiencing operational challenges,” Archer explains. “These included the jaw crusher feed chute and the apron feeder discharge chute, both of which handle large run-of-mine ore lumps up to 800 to 1 200 mm.” Material arriving at the jaw crusher was also moving at high velocity, leading to excessive wear and damage. After analysing the applica-
tion, Weba Chute Systems proposed a solution. “We replaced the existing jaw crusher feed chute with one of our custom-engineered de- signs, incorporating swing doors to absorb the energy of incoming material to reduce impact and wear,” says Archer. “We later imple- mented the same swing door concept in the apron feeder discharge chute. Today, swing doors are also installed
on the vibrating grizzly feeder and directly above the crusher – all effectively controlling flow and reducing wear.” Weba Chute Systems went a step further by modi-
Rendered image highlighting the integrated setup of the
fying the impact bed on the grizzly feeder. By raising the impact bed, incoming material
jaw crusher feed chute and apron feeder discharge chute, engineered to reduce impact, spillage and
begins to slow down before reaching the first swing door. “These innovations made a signifi - cant difference, particularly in managing the impact from oversized lumps,” he notes. “We also finetuned door weights to optimise material flow, prevent build-up and reduce the risk of blockages.” The mine also commissioned Weba Chute Systems to install a SAG mill discharge chute, which Archer reports has been operating “like clockwork” since commissioning. This chute accommodates a 4.0 m transfer height, taper- ing from a 2.4 m-wide screen opening to a 600 mm-wide conveyor belt. “The success of this bespoke unit lies in the
blockages.
careful placement of dead boxes within the chute to promote material-on-material flow,” he explains. “It was equally important to man- age the discharge speed to avoid damaging the conveyor belt.” Archer credits the Gamsberg plant’s profes- sional, solution-oriented culture, which empha- sises resolving root causes rather than symp- toms and working collaboratively with trusted suppliers to overcome technical challenges. www.webachutes.com
Left: A rendered image of Weba Chute Systems’ custom-engineered jaw crusher feed chute, designed with swing doors to absorb impact and control ore flow, reducing wear from oversized run-of-mine material. Right: Rendered image of the apron feeder discharge chute, incorporating Weba Chute Systems’ swing door design to manage high velocity flow, extend liner life and enhance reliability.
26 ¦ MechChem Africa • November-December 2025
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