In response to shifting market demands and evolving customer needs, mining technology company Weir has undertaken a significant redesign of its wheeled plant solution, known as the Weir Modular Wheeled Plant (WMWP).

This initiative marks a strategic turn towards enhancing portability and operational flexibility in mining and construction sectors across global markets, particularly in Africa,” notes Weir Africa GM for crushing and screening products Tiisetso Masekwameng.

Originally part of Weir’s portfolio following the acquisition of the comminution product line, the wheeled unit was shelved as the market was geared towards high throughput static plants during a mining boom. However, the onset of COVID-19 and subsequent market fluctuations prompted a reintroduction of the wheeled unit.

“Customers were facing capital constraints and sought quicker returns on investment. They increasingly demanded portable units capable of flexible deployment across multiple sites. This necessitated a comprehensive redesign of the WMWP to align with contemporary market dynamics,” she explains.

With the newly re-introduced WMWP concept, crushing contractors in Africa can now move and transport their crushing and screening plants from one site to another with great ease, boosting productivity and reducing costs. Masekwameng emphasises that the redesigned WMWP addresses diverse sectoral needs. For the construction sector, which increasingly relies on contract mining and smaller throughputs, the WMWP offers solutions tailored to reduce downtime between sites.

“The concept fits the bill for the construction market, especially crushing contractors seeking to easily relocate their plants to infrastructure hotspots,” Masekwameng states.

In mining, where maximising production efficiency is critical, the portability of these units allows for rapid deployment and commissioning, enabling customers to capitalise swiftly on commodity upswings.

“Equally, the WMWP is ideally suited for the mining sector, particularly where customers require short-term solutions to help boost production rates during commodity upswings, without constructing a new static plant over a longer lead time,” she adds.

Technical Innovations

Central to the redesign is the  choice of wheeled instead of tracked units, eliminating the need for diesel engines and undercarriage maintenance associated with tracked alternatives. This design choice not only simplifies maintenance but also reduces operational expenditures and downtime, which is crucial for customers operating in remote or challenging environments.

The WMWP range forms part of Weir’s crushing and screening offerings and makes use of the company’s tried and tested Trio and Enduron crushers, screens and materials handling solutions. These plants, Masekwameng notes, have been deployed across the world in sand and aggregate applications by customers who require the flexibility of a mobile plant without the additional maintenance obligations of components such as diesel engines and tracks.

The redesigned WMWP's modular nature further enhances operational efficiency, offering configurations that include primary, secondary and tertiary crushing options and comprehensive support from Weir’s engineering team throughout the equipment lifecycle.

Weir ensures the equipment is within the dimensions and weights that can be accommodated on a multi-axle trailer, in line with legal road limits. Machines selected generally allow for the construction of plants in the 50 t/h to 350 t/h range.

“One of the major benefits of our wheeled plant concept is that it eliminates the complexity of having a diesel engine and tracks on the mobile unit itself, which requires additional maintenance over and above the crushers and screens themselves,” says Masekwameng.

“Wheeled plants can also be transported on the highway depending on the size and road regulations within the customer’s jurisdiction. That means customers only need to hook the plant to the back of a truck and off they go.”

The global deployment of WMWP units spans regions from Africa to the Middle East and Latin America. This extensive reach underscores Weir’s commitment to meeting international safety standards and integrating customer feedback into ongoing design enhancements. By engaging directly with customers and incorporating their insights, Weir ensures that each WMWP unit aligns closely with market expectations and regulatory requirements.

Future Prospects

“The redesign of the WMWP represents a strategic response to evolving market dynamics, emphasising portability, operational efficiency and customer-centric innovation. Weir remains at the forefront of delivering solutions that exceed the expectations of our customers,” concludes Masekwameng.