Shiploader to the rescue

The equipment loads high quality coal from the company’s nearby Mine 7: as this is used in the production of modern Compacted Graphite Iron diesel engine cylinders, there’s a pull on deliveries by European engine manufacturers and there are currently no other means available to handle the material.

However, finding a replacement hasn’t been easy; although the company first investigated the second hand market, the time constraint meant a decision was reached to purchase new equipment from B&W Mechanical Handling. It seems that B&W’s tried-and-trusted technology swung one part of the decision and an on-time delivery promise swung the other.

However, it has to be said the squeeze is still on. The equipment is being delivered by ship in a part-assembled state at the beginning of November, but the unit has to be up and running by the 15th of the month.