What is the history of TAKRAF Group in the USA, and what are some key mining projects the company has been involved in?

TAKRAF has been operating directly out of Denver since 1994, primarily focusing on projects in the USA and Mexico, while occasionally also taking on projects in South America and collaborating with our colleagues in Canada. Our core area of expertise encompasses crushing stations and material handling, ranging from conveying to loading and unloading stations, stockyard equipment and port logistics.

One noteworthy project we worked on was the relocation of crushers for Kennecott in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our most recent work with them was in 2020, when we relocated a crusher out of the pit and built a large capacity downhill conveyor for copper ore. Besides Kennecott, with Rio Tinto, we have also worked at the Boron mine in California. Additionally, we have engaged in engineering work with Nevada Gold Mines.

What are the benefits of your Dry Stack Tailings solution?

We take immense pride in being one of the few global suppliers capable of offering a comprehensive suite of services with our Dry Stack Tailings (DST) solution. From thickening to filtering, conveying, and stacking, we encompass the entire DST management spectrum.

What factors do you take into consideration for conveyor solutions?

To provide the best solution, we consider factors such as the expected lifespan of the equipment and the material characteristics, which can vary significantly. For example, in the cases where materials are highly abrasive and wear out the belt, the design of chutes becomes crucial to minimize belt damage and prolong their longevity.

What technology disruptions is TAKRAF leveraging?

We collaborate with companies like Siemens, ABB and others to develop digital twins and employ advanced monitoring devices, and all our machines and processes can be fully automated. For example, we can use scanning systems for stockpile management, providing precise inventory data, and optimize both stacking and reclaiming. The use of technology not only enhances safety, but also allows for continuous equipment monitoring and predictive maintenance.

Lastly, the suitability of our TAKRAF X-TREME class sizer to hard-rock applications has been a significant disruptor to the industry’s traditional way of crushing hard rock.

What is TAKRAF’s approach to sustainability?

TAKRAF has consistently led the way by employing electrically driven equipment, avoiding using diesel or gas-powered machinery. While many mining companies continue to depend on trucking solutions, we can innovate and develop environmentally friendly conveying system alternatives. In the case of downhill conveyors, like in Kennecott, we can generate energy, making our systems efficient and cost-effective in terms of energy consumption. At Chuquicamata in Chile, for instance, the use of gearless drive conveyor technology in the conveyor systems not only allowed us to save a lot of space in terms of drive footprint, but more importantly, these highly efficient electric drive motors replaced diesel truck engines, cutting CO₂ emissions produced when transporting the material by more than two thirds for the same copper volume. This brings with it the advantage of reduced water consumption for haul road dust suppression and maintenance and reduces the airborne silica dust created by truck traffic significantly. Moreover, our solutions encompass a range of dust suppression systems, including dry fog systems and dust collectors. These approaches are tailored to specific project requirements, and we see a growing demand for their implementation.

On the other hand, we are also dedicated to sourcing components from manufacturers who share our commitment to environmental responsibility, ensuring that our systems or equipment are safe, efficient and environmentally friendly throughout their lifecycle.

In which segment do you see more opportunities for growth for TAKRAF?

Promising opportunities are on the horizon for TAKRAF, particularly in the copper and gold sector, as demand grows. We aim to foster organic growth and are keen to expand our involvement in projects across mining states like Nevada and Arizona.

Every time an operation requires a massive movement of material, we are the right partner with the right solutions, whether that is on the product or on the waste handling side.

In the precious metals segment, we predominantly get involved on the DELKOR liquid/solid separation side. Nonetheless, as TAKRAF, we remain open to opportunities in this sector, especially if large or complex expansion initiatives take hold.