A growing trend in the mining industry sees OEMs, EPCM contractors, and mine operators turning to Weba Chute Systems for help with process flow issues affecting plant performance. These problems often stem from overlooked transfer chutes between equipment, leading to bottlenecks such as uncontrolled material velocity, spillage, uneven feed, and accelerated wear—all of which can cause equipment failure and downtime.
Mark Baller, Managing Director at Weba Chute Systems, notes that while attention usually goes to upstream mechanical equipment, persistent problems are often rooted in poor material transfer design. Even small variations in flow trajectory or velocity can significantly impact downstream efficiency.
Leveraging its extensive experience across multiple commodities, Weba Chute Systems uses detailed site assessments and discrete element modelling (DEM) to diagnose issues and propose data-driven solutions. For example, after diagnosing uneven feed and pegging in a manganese screening plant, they redesigned the chute, eliminating the issue and improving grading and maintenance costs. In another case, redesigning a chute at a platinum concentrator tripled liner life and reduced downtime.
Weba Chute Systems adopts a holistic approach, ensuring transfer points support the entire processing line. Early engagement with their team helps EPCM contractors reduce project risks and achieve reliable plant start-ups.