CDE Global is the largest wet processing equipment manufacturer in the world and works with its customers to maximise their return on investment and gain significant competitive advantage while minimising environmental impact. Its commitment to developing its operations in Africa was motioned when the company established its office (CDE South Africa (Pty) Ltd) in South Africa.
The African continent has high infrastructural demands and the materials washing solutions CDE develops are ideal for quarrying and mining sectors supplying the construction market. By using CDE equipment, the environmental benefits are significant, not the least of which is that up to 90% of the water is recycled when a wet processing washing plant is combined with a CDE AquaCycle water recovery system. A typical sand washing operation uses a minimum of a hundred thousand litres per hour, which is basically clean water being converted into wastewater and then pumped or piped away into a settling dam, at which point it exits the washing system. With a CDE AquaCycle, 90% of this wastewater is recycled for immediate reuse by the customer. This does not only minimise water consumption, but also aids businesses to show compliance when reapplying for water licences.
With its global headquarters in Northern Ireland and a local footprint in South Africa, CDE connects with the African market through an expert regional team, who fully understand the sand and gravel washing requirements in the region and provide a knowledgeable and personal service to their clients. Supported by highly experienced CDE designers and engineers, they develop the best value-for-money washing solutions with their customers for optimal efficiency and return on investment, even for operations with very specific needs, such as those running in remote locations and arid environments.
CDE boasts the successful completion of over 2,000 wet processing projects globally, with a portfolio of successful projects across Africa (iron ore, diamond, gold, construction and industrial sands) where it has been helping mining and sand and aggregates operators to maximise their businesses.
Advice to potential customers
Whilst conventional bucket wheel washers and screw classifiers are cheap to buy, they also lose in excess of 20% fine sand, which leads to a lack of finer fractions of sand between 1mm and 300 micron in the grade and quality of the final washed product. Another drawback is the loss of production when settling ponds need to be cleaned on a regular basis.
At CDE we are increasingly witnessing a strategic shift by African quarry and mine operators who recognise that to gain an edge over their competitors, they need to offer the best quality sand to their customers. To target a better and more profitable market segment and increase return on investment, operators are starting to invest in more efficient sand and gravel washing systems such as the popular CDE EvoWash, which comes with its own electric control panel and is pre-wired.
Water conservation being a major concern in Africa, savvy customers often combine their plant with a CDE AquaCycle, which recycles 90% of used water and runs for as little as R3/tonne. Mobile and compact, CDE plants, with advanced no spill transfer points, high quality components and reduced maintenance, offer a simple, one-touch solution.
Willem du Plooy, CDE Business Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa said: “It is definitely worth looking beyond the initial cost of the equipment to see that in the long run, bucket wheel washers and screw classifiers are actually a money drain.
“With a modular and economical sand washing system that requires a minimal amount of civils and provides consistent high-quality sand in any quantities, the choice is clear.
“If you buy the right plant for your operations, reduced maintenance, reduced manpower, reduced slimes management and continuous operation with water control far outweigh any short-term savings.”
Attentive to its clients’ needs, CDE can also offer a complete after sales package as part of the Customer For Life model.
Willem du Plooy continues: “For operators located in very remote regions, we also advise stocking some spares on site to reduce risk in case of a breakdown or preventative maintenance actions. We have a wealth of experience in washing applications in various types of rock, so we are able to advise our customers on the best recommended spares package.
“Also, as every part is built and tested at the CDE factory before the plant is tested again and shipped to the customers, deployment time is short with minimal disruption to the site’s operations.”
