The journey towards mining excellence is ongoing, and Afrimat is dedicated to leading the way with innovative solutions and a commitment to quality. Afrimat Industrial Minerals embarked on a diversification journey at our Blue Plant in Marble Hall.
Diversifying our mining operations
The Marble Hall resource, a Metamorphic Dolomite, has always been a part of our operations. While the calcite marbles were the primary focus of our mining efforts, the dolomite, once considered a hindrance, has now become a valuable asset.
Why is it called Blue Plant?
The Marble Hall dolomite is blue in colour; therefore, we refer to it as the Blue Plant.
How Diversifying Transformed the Blue Plant
In 2018, we established the Blue Plant to process this dolomite into various aggregate products. However, its versatility often led to unique challenges of scaling production, particularly during periods of high demand for limestone products.
To address this, the Afrimat Marble Hall team took on a diversification initiative in late 2023. Their goal was to expand the product offerings and reduce our reliance on a single customer. By identifying agricultural lime and road building materials as potential growth areas, we realised the Blue Plant’s potential to become even more versatile.
Upgrade and innovation
To achieve our diversification goals, we implemented several upgrades to the Blue Plant:
- Return conveyor to the VSI crusher1: This increased the production of fines, a crucial component for agricultural lime.
- Repurposed high-frequency screen: This enabled the production of high-quality dolomitic agricultural lime.
- Repurposed loading hopper as a surge bin: This improved the control of feed to the VSI crusher.
- Replacement of Screen 2 with a refurbished double-deck screen2: This enhanced the overall efficiency of the plant.
1A VSI crusher or vertical shaft impact crusher – is a machine that uses a high-speed rotor and anvils to break down materials into smaller pieces
2A double-deck screen is a vibrating screen with two layers of sieving surfaces and three discharge ports that can screen materials into three different particle sizes
A successful outcome
The project was executed in two phases, ensuring uninterrupted production of high-demand products. The first phase, completed in May 2024, allowed us to fulfil a significant G2 order, exceeding expectations by producing a higher-quality product than previously possible.
The second phase, completed in July 2024, equipped the Blue Plant with the capability to operate in two modes:
- Mode 1: Dedicated to producing G2
- Mode 2: Producing a combination of 20mm concrete stone, 9.5mm single size, dolomitic agricultural lime, or aggregate sand.
Afimat’s efforts to diversify our product offerings and optimise our operations, represent a broader commitment to innovation and efficiency in mining operations and has positioned the Blue Plant as a key driver of growth and sustainability for our Marble Hall team.
Interesting facts:
What is Metamorphic Dolomite? Metamorphic Dolomite is a type of rock formed from the alteration of sedimentary dolomite under high pressure and temperature conditions.
How does Metamorphic Dolomite differ from Limestone? While both are carbonate rocks, Metamorphic Dolomite contains magnesium carbonate, while Limestone primarily consists of calcium carbonate.
What are the key characteristics of Metamorphic Dolomite? Metamorphic Dolomite is known for its durability, hardness, and resistance to weathering. It can also exhibit a variety of colours, including white, grey, brown, and even pink or green.
Discover how Afrimat’s diversified mining solutions can drive sustainable growth for your operations.
Afrimat offers a range of innovative solutions and services to help you optimise your mining processes and achieve sustainable growth. From quarry management and crushing solutions to construction materials and environmental services, we’re committed to delivering excellence.
Let’s partner to build a brighter future for mining. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your mining goals.
