Bateman's 5 t/h dense-media separation (DMS) module, the first of which was sold about 30 months ago, is becoming very popular. "With a total weight of only 4.51, it is now only half the size of its predecessor, is mobile and fits easily into a standard 12 m container, with all its spares, for delivery to clients anywhere in the world," explains Cliff Shorter, Bateman project engineer. "For transportation, the spring-mounted screens and tube densifier are simply removed and the separation and feed-pump modules loaded individually. On site it can be reassembled and commissioned within a day or two."

The 5 t DMS modules are skid mounted and have built-in spillage sumps, so there is no need for concrete foundations. They are fully self contained with their own control panels and automatic density controls. The new cyclone feed system is an improvement that has eliminated excessive wear on the pump's impeller.

The first of these units went to Yakutia, Siberia, where it has performed to specification for over two years in successful exploration work. The next two units were supplied into the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and show the results of a refinement of the design which involved reducing the weight of the units. The first is being used for geological prospecting, and separates -15mm to +2 mm material for diamond recovery. The second module receives a diamond concentrate (in the -15 mm to +2 mm size range) from a larger DMS plant and, by removing the heavy mineral, ilmenite, cleans the concentrate before it is sent to the diamond-recovery plant.

Contact:
Robert Abate
general manager
Modular Plants
Bateman, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)11899 2238
rabate@bmi.co.za