When the Barro Group required a mobile crushing solution for its Mountain View quarry they spoke with Sandvik, a leader in mobile crushers and screens.
Mountain View quarry is situated near Drysdale on the picturesque and historic Bellarine peninsula east of Geelong, Victoria. It is owned by the Barro Group, which was founded by the late David Barro in 1946 and has successfully expanded and diversified to become Australia?s largest privately owned quarrying, concrete and services group.
Mountain View has been mined for its high-grade basalt for the past 25 years. The basalt has a density of 2.9t/m3 and is an ideal aggregate for the production of the Barro Group?s premium premixed concrete. It was estimated that the basalt would run out in two to three years and, in order to extract it cost effectively from the base of the deep quarry, a proven mobile crushing solution was required. The critical issue was the ability to easily move the crushing unit in line with the blasting and extraction operations and, of course, remove it at the end of the quarry?s life to another quarry to continue its operation and return on investment.
The Sandvik QJ330 (formerly the Fintec F1107) mobile jaw crusher was selected by the Barro Group?s management team in consultation with Precisionscreen, the Australian agent for Sandvik?s mobile crushers and screens. The unit was originally designed jointly by Fintec and Sandvik Rock Processing and utilises the very latest technology, including finite element techniques to minimise stress levels within the frame itself.
The high crushing speed of the Sandvik QJ330, together with its large feed opening, provides impressive rates of production and superb reduction ratios. According to Rob Micallef, Mountain View Quarries on-site manager, ?it produces 140 tonnes per hour which is indeed impressive given the density of the local basalt?.
The tracked Sandvik QJ330 is specifically constructed for high mobility. The feed hopper has hydraulically foldable sides for easy transport and quick set-up on-site. In fact, Rob was quick to point out that it took just one hour to set the unit up on its current site in the quarry and that its mobility was also advantageous for maintenance and general house-keeping at this site.
The chassis facilitates easy inspection and access to maintenance points. Platforms around the diesel power pack provide access for inspection and service. A rotating warning beacon and siren provide visual and auditable warnings of movement.
From an operational point of view, Rob has been impressed with the Sandvik QJ330 on a range of other attributes, including:
? Reliable start up.
? Quick and easy hydraulic settings that hold.
? Manual versus automatic option.
? Reverse crushing action to relieve blockages.
? Hydraulic legs for increased stability.
? Automatic central lubrication system to increase productive up-time.
? Good fuel efficiency (250 litres per nine hours crushing).
Sandvik has applied all its experience in mobile crushing to produce a modern and efficient crusher that is ideally suited to the Barro Group?s application at its Mountain View quarry.
The operation of the Sandvik QJ330 on-site is also backed up with training, technical and on-going service support from the experienced and professional team at Precisionscreen. The recent unification of the Fintec and Extec brands into the Sandvik group of companies has created a comprehensive and dynamic line-up of mobile crushing and screening equipment.
Sources: Turner & Gold/Sandvik Mobile Crushers & Screens/Precisionscreen/The Barro Group