Wolf Minerals, Hemerdon Tungsten Mine – Conveyor Systems

As a key supplier to the Wolf Minerals new £130million Drakelands Tungsten and Tin Mine, at Hemerdon on the outskirts of Plymouth we will provide over 1000m of material handling conveyors to the mine along with a number of associated buildings and the installation of structural steelwork.

Wolf Minerals have entrusted the main contract with GR Engineering Services (GRES). Working together with GRES, Centristic has designed eleven of the main site conveyors to meet specific process and operating requirements and at the same time overcome a number of challenges posed by the site. Through this design process Centristic has proven itself flexible by working with an engineering team around 9000 miles away in Perth, Western Australia who are used to different practices and alternative standards. Through this exchange and a collaborative approach Centristic has gained invaluable experience for future projects.

Centristic will supply two conveyors that are over 170m in length; one of which will raise material over 40m vertically at a rate of 715 tonne per hour. This conveyor will span across a deep valley and will provide a number of engineering challenges, requiring careful planning.

Dartmoor’s own particular weather conditions have also proven to be a challenge when it comes to the onsite installation. Health and Safety and providing a safe working environment are key elements in the build process. Every aspect of the site’s Health and Safety planning is discussed and monitored on a daily basis as part of the onsite procedures.