en.Wedoany.com Reported - Sandvik Rock Processing is delivering the first Sandvik CH662 cone crushers to a platinum mining project in Limpopo Province, South Africa, with the company stating that African mining companies are increasingly embracing advanced mining technologies.
The CH662 is the latest upgrade of the Sandvik CH660 platform, introducing several mechanical and digital improvements aimed at enhancing throughput, reliability, and maintenance efficiency. PC Kruger, Business Line Manager for Crushing at Sandvik Rock Processing, stated that mining companies across the African continent are increasingly adopting electrification, remote monitoring, and automation technologies, creating a more attractive environment for advanced crushing systems like the CH662. He believes this order challenges the traditional perception that African mining operations are slow to adopt new technologies.
The two CH662 units will be used for secondary crushing as part of an underground mine expansion project. The equipment arrived in South Africa after completing factory acceptance tests in Sweden during the second quarter of 2026. The order was placed through a major engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, with one crusher serving as the primary unit and the other as a backup, reflecting the critical role of crushing equipment in modern processing plants.
Yashik Anand, Capital Sales Engineer for Static Crushing at Sandvik Rock Processing, noted that the project reflects the customer's strong emphasis on operational efficiency, reliability, and digital integration during equipment selection. He mentioned that the redesigned upper frame and main shaft significantly enhance the crusher's durability and operational stability. The upper frame optimizes material distribution and structural strength, while the new main shaft improves reliability under high-capacity conditions. The star bushings have also been redesigned to improve wear resistance and extend service life.
Another important design improvement of the CH662 is the elimination of backing compound, which helps reduce liner replacement time. Traditional cone crushers typically require a long curing period after liner replacement before resuming operation, but the CH662's steel-on-steel design eliminates this delay. Anand stated that this design can save customers up to 24 hours of waiting time during liner changes.
Automation and digital integration are key aspects of the CH662 upgrade. The crusher integrates Sandvik's new ACS-c 5 ASRi control system, a platform that consolidates the functions of previous control platforms into a more advanced and user-friendly automation suite. Users gain automatic setting adjustment, enhanced monitoring capabilities, and integration with digital service platforms for real-time performance analysis and remote diagnostics. Anand pointed out that for mining operations far from major service centers, these features can deliver significant operational advantages by proactively monitoring and preventing unplanned downtime.
Kruger mentioned that remote monitoring capabilities also improve the efficiency of Sandvik's field service technicians. Technicians often need to travel several hours to reach customer sites, but with remote support, troubleshooting can begin immediately when issues arise. By the time technicians arrive on site, they are fully aware of the parts requiring repair or replacement. Anand also stated that this order highlights the importance of technical collaboration between equipment manufacturers and engineering, procurement, and construction contractors during plant design and equipment selection. Sandvik's PlantDesigner simulation software enables multiple process simulations and flowsheet iterations to optimize the crushing circuit based on the customer's metallurgical requirements.
Looking ahead, Kruger believes the CH662 has the potential for broader application in the African mining and aggregates industry, particularly in medium-scale processing operations. He noted that African mining operations typically do not require ultra-large crushing systems, and the CH662 is well-suited for production ranges of 400 to 1,000 tons per hour. Sandvik's upgrade strategy includes retrofit, refurbishment, and fully integrated smart crusher options, all backed by a standard three-year warranty.
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