MATERIALS HANDLING
From belt to balance sheet: Precision mass flow measurement in mining conveyors The movement of bulk solids is constant, high volume, and tightly linked to production efficiency. From crushed ore to processed aggregates, materials are typically transported via conveyor belts or screw conveyors, forming the backbone of continuous production. While this seems pretty straightforward, the real challenge lies in knowing exactly how much material is moving at any given moment. This is where mass flow measurement becomes essential. Without accurate throughput data, process control becomes guesswork, and even small deviations can lead to costly inefficiencies, inaccurate billing between production units, or downstream process instability.
I n conveyor-based handling systems, the primary measurement task is throughput monitoring. Operators need a continuous, real-time understanding of how many tonnes per hour are being transported, often at rates reaching up to 10 000 t/h. The measuring point is typically the conveyor belt itself, where bulk solids are in motion and constantly changing in load profile. The materials involved can vary widely in particle size, density, and moisture content, and the system must remain reliable across a wide process temperature range, typically from -40 to +60 °C. This variability places high demands on measurement technology, which must remain stable and accurate regardless of environmental and material fluctuations. The movement of bulk solids is constant, high volume, and tightly linked to production efficiency.
Mining environments add another layer of complexity. Conveyor belts are exposed to heavy dust loads, mechanical vibration, uneven belt tension, and constantly changing material characteristics. Larger and smaller particles may mix unpredictably, and flow patterns are rarely uniform. Traditional mechanical weighing systems can struggle under these conditions due to wear, drift, or sensitivity to vibration. As a result, non-contact and robust measurement technologies are increasingly preferred for long-term stability and reduced maintenance requirements. A proven solution for these demanding applications is the use of radiometric mass flow measurement systems such as the WEIGHTRAC 31. This instrument is designed specifically for
30 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | OCTOBER 2026
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