The contract was placed by TWP Matomo Process Plant (TMP) for and on behalf of Metorex.
Group Five is the undertaking plant construction firm, while earthworks and civils are the responsibility of SAFRICAS, a DRCbased company. The tailings dam at Ruashi is being designed by Golder Associates.
TMP’s order for the double-girder overhead travelling cranes continues Condra’s success with cranes for tankhouse applications in the Copperbelt, and follows orders placed by Mopani Copper Mines and Konkola Copper Mines for high speed applications.
The Ruashi cranes are two identical high-speed, 8t designs with spans of 23m, featuring several special finishes and design modifications to accommodate the acidic environment associated with the application.
Coated with paint to anti-acid specification, the cranes’ 60%-rated motors deliver speeds well above the average for Class Four designs.
Long-travel speed is just over 50m/min, cross-travel speed 24m/min, and lift speed 8m/min to optimise production cycle times. Norms for a crane of similar design and duty are in the order of 35, 16 and 5m/min respectively.
The K-Series hoists fitted to both cranes have been rigged with an 8:4 reeving configuration for maximum load stability over the 7m lift height.
Condra general manager Marc Kleiner said that TMP had placed the order early, but had requested that manufacture be delayed to match progress of construction on site.
He added: “Despite a full order book, it was not difficult for us to schedule production to suit the customer, owing to component stocks and the easy adaptability of our standard K-Series hoists and drives.”
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