Condra has announced that it is to supply six cranes, one portal and five double-girder overhead machines, to a South African mine
A Typical Condra portal crane. (Image source: Condra)
The unnamed mining house has been operating Condra overhead cranes and hoists since the late 1990s, employing them in a spread of mines and applications.
Of the six cranes ordered, four are identical 10-ton overhead machines with spans of 6,5 metres, and two have already been delivered. The first was installed underground and commissioned for maintenance duty on pumps, motors and other equipment. The remaining two 10-ton cranes will be completed this year to join the third on site early in 2022.
A fifth crane, a 15-ton portal machine, is earmarked for receiving and dispatch duties, while the biggest of the six cranes ordered will be a 25-ton electric overhead travelling workshop unit.
Marc Kleiner, managing director of Condra, emphasised that Condra continues to be prepared and ready to support African mining.
“We have been supplying cranes to meet mining’s needs for fifty years. We manufacture our cranes locally, and our supplier network – the people who make our gears, our wheels and other complex parts – they are also local.
“So we are an African company with a lot of experience of the different climatic and working conditions found on this continent. We are committed to and ready for any type of mining, manufacturing or machine servicing requirement from any African customer anywhere on the continent,” Kleiner said.
The six cranes for the mining house are machines of standard design, fitted out to customer specification. Remotely controlled, there are pendants for alternative manual control. The cranes also feature floodlights to aid operation, and bulkhead lights for safety on all walkways. Other safety fittings include flame-proofing of brakes and electric panels to IP65 standard, and weather-canopies over all motors. Flashing lights and sirens warn when the cranes are in motion.