BATEMAN has commenced the construction of a materials-handling system for Mogale Alloys for an operation in which the residual metal values will be extracted from electric-arc furnace dust which contains, amongst others, nickel, chromium and iron.

This approximately R7M, turnkey contract was awarded in August 2003 and is due for completion in November 2003. It is a fast-track project with the entire materials- handling system to be designed, erected and commissioned within 15 weeks.

The plant will pelletise electric-arc furnace dust and thereby facilitate later treatment of this dust in the Mogale furnaces. In this way valuable metals will be recovered.

The BATEMAN scope of supply starts with a new storage enclosure to receive the arc furnace dust. The dust will be received both in bulk bags and as loose bulk depending on whether it is newly-generated dust or recovered from the dump. Following intermediate storage and the belt-conveying stages, the material will be metered into a pelletiser together with strictly proportioned quantities of water and binders. A luffing conveyor will then transport the newly formed pellets into a new storage shed.

The system will have a capacity to process 15 t/h of dust with an operating- life expectancy of three years.

This new operation, based in the Krugersdorp district in Gauteng, South Africa, is being built within an existing plant, maximising employment of disused plant so as to minimise costs.

On commencement of earthworks, the unanticipated remains of a disused gold processing plant were unearthed. This necessitated rapid design changes in order to keep the project on track in terms of both budget and duration.

For further information, please contact David Gale, BATEMAN Manager, Silos and Related Equipment, on +27-11-201-2300 or email dgale@batemanbmh.co.za.

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