The use of DuPont Kevlar in mining conveyor belts has demonstrated
increased productivity and reduced annual maintenance costs. According to DuPont
Protection Technologies, data collected in a field trial with one of the
world’s leading copper mining company, Codelco (National Copper Corporation of
Chile) through Plants Management of the Andina Division, demonstrated a
capacity increase of over 18 percent with a 60 percent reduction in annual
maintenance costs.
William F. Weber, vice-president, Kevlar, DuPont Protection Technologies
explains that the lightweight strength, durability and performance of this
advanced material in extreme conditions make it an ideal choice in this
application. With the ability of the belts to run faster with less wear and
tear, mining companies can ‘Dare Bigger’ to target higher capacities.
Dare Bigger is the new brand platform for DuPont Kevlar, representing inspiration
for those who rely on the safety and performance of Kevlar brand fibre. From
athletes to astronauts, first responders to industrial workers, Kevlar enables
anyone with an imagination and a job to do to Dare Bigger.
Patricio Porta, Analyst Specialist-Operations, Management of Plants,
Codelco Andina Division comments that conveyor belts used in mining
applications are exposed to harsh conditions as they are not only required to go
deep down into the bowels of the earth, but also have to carry copper ore, which
is sharp and hard on equipment used to extract it. The belts made using DuPont
Kevlar fibre are durable and strong, and are positively impacting their
production.
DuPont Kevlar fibre enables conveyor belt manufacturers to offer
lighter, more flexible and longer life solutions to mining companies,
increasing throughput and reducing operational costs associated with
installation, maintenance, replacement and energy consumption.
Key advantages of Kevlar fibre conveyor belts include ease of
installation with belts integrating easily into an existing setup without reconfiguration;
productivity improvements through the belt’s ability to run at higher
speeds, offer increased strength and reduce maintenance downtime, with the
higher flexibility allowing a greater trough angle to prevent materials from
sliding off, even at higher speeds; energy savings from decreased power
consumption; and reduced maintenance with the tough Kevlar belts exhibiting
very low creep despite their flexibility, and rarely requiring time-consuming
re-splicing since they hardly stretch once installed.
Codelco Andina Division derived major gains from replacing a 48m
conveyor belt containing a 5-ply conventional nylon/polyester (EP) cord carcass
with a comparable belt containing a single-layer DuPont Kevlar Advanced
Performance (AP) fibre, including throughput increasing to 3,000 tons per day,
and maintenance reduced to a third of the usual frequency, with yearly
maintenance cost dropping from 14 cents to 5½ cents per ton.
The breadth and versatility of the
Kevlar technology platform help customers design products for performance
and safety. Best known for its use in ballistic and stab-resistant body armour,
Kevlar has helped to save the lives of thousands of people around the
world with a wide application range from firefighting and industrial protective
clothing to vehicles, fibre optic cables, commercial aircraft and city
roads. Kevlar fibre is also used in many consumer products such as
mobile phones, tyres, and high-performance sporting apparel and equipment.