THE USE OF IMPACT PLATES IN CONVEYOR TRANSFERS

In the design of conveyor transfer stations for handling hard-rock min ing products wear is one of the major factors that must be addressed. In a general discussion on the design of transfer stations for functio nality, ease of maintenance and maximum life, the use and performance of impact plates are discussed. The necessity of keeping a small angle of impact between the ore stream and the plate is highlighted. Limite d results from trials on the performance and wear resistance of hard-f aced curved impact plates at a copper mine are presented. The mine is handling ore at rates in excess of 40000 tonnes per day and had suffer ed from excessive transfer station wear and poor conveyor performance due to problems within the transfers. These problems had been exacerba ted with the ore ranging over a wide range of moisture content to satu ration and possible clay content to 15%.