Gyproc Saint-Gobain invest in new Kleemann jaw crusher

Italian gypsum quarry operator increases productivity with Mobicat MC 110 Z EVO machine

GYPROC Saint-Gobain, one of Italy’s major producers of gypsum, have taken delivery of their first-ever Kleemann mobile jaw crusher – marking an important step towards boosting productivity at their Monte Tondo Quarry, which lies in the province of Ravenna, on the edge of the Vena del Gesso Romagnola nature reserve.

The site is one of eight gypsum quarries operated by Gyproc Saint-Gobain and the recently purchased Kleemann Mobicat MC 110 Z EVO unit is expected to improve the production cycle at Monte Tondo Quarry, which currently produces around 200,000 tonnes of pure gypsum per annum.

According to Roberto Margutti, mining technical manager of Gyproc Saint-Gobain, the decision to switch to Kleemann’s crushing technology at the quarry was brought about by logistical and operational considerations.

‘The purchase of the Kleemann mobile jaw crusher is part of a broader plan of production rationalization, which also has the purpose of improving safety conditions to an even higher degree,’ he explained. ‘Essentially, the machine makes it possible to transfer the primary crushing process to where the material is accumulated after blasting, and to reduce the blasted material to 0–160mm, before it is fed into a secondary crushing plant.’

By utilizing the Mobicat MC 110 Z EVO jaw crusher in this way, the performance of the secondary crushing process has been enhanced. Receiving material in a smaller, more uniform output size, has allowed Gyproc Saint-Gobain to increase productivity without the frequent plant maintenance that had to be carried out previously.

The 210 tonnes/h Kleemann plant reduces blocks of calcium sulphate from an output size of 0–500mm down to 0–160mm. This is achieved thanks to features such as an independent double-deck pre-screen, which efficiently levels the material in the hopper to deliver constant productivity. Production capacity is further improved by a continuous feed system.

The Mobicat MC 110 Z EVO also has the advantage of offering ‘limited fuel consumption’ with a diesel direct-drive system that is said to deliver a 30% reduction in fuel use compared with mobile crushers with traditional hydraulic systems.

Silvano Sartor, technical manager at Monte Tondo Quarry, has been impressed with the improvements in safety and productivity that the Kleemann mobile plant offers. ‘This jaw crusher has been a major purchase because it forms part of a plan that will allow us to calibrate production based on actual processing plant demand and, at the same time, will lead to logistical improvements by preventing personnel from being spread out in different areas of the quarry.

‘During the initial phase, we are already seeing an overall improvement in the organization of the production cycle and a reduction in operational costs,’ said Mr Sartor.