Sandvik goes to the ends of the earth

Antarctica – The name alone rings of desolation. Situated south of the Antarctic Circle, it is the least populated continent in the world. It is also windy, wild, and freezing cold, with temperatures ranging from 5 degrees Celsius to -40 degrees Celsius.

Mobile crushers and screens from Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions are being put to the challenge in this harsh environment as part of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP). The project represents one of the UK Government’s largest investments in polar science infrastructure since the 1980s. Today there are more than 30 countries operating scientific research facilities in Antarctica.

British Antarctic Survey facilitates and conducts research in the Polar regions and has partnered with UK engineering contractor BAM and others on this seven-year, 300 million-pound infrastructure program, which includes the modernization of Rothera Research Station, a center for biological research and hub for supporting deep-field and air operations.

Crushing and screening in the remotest corners

Already familiar with Sandvik mobile equipment, BAM turned to Sandvik to provide a processing train to crush and screen abrasive granodiorite material so it could be recycled and reused for construction purposes at the research station. Granodiorite is a coarse-grained rock, similar to granite and composed primarily of feldspar and quartz.

The equipment is being used to crush the material down to make resurfacing material for an 800 meter gravel runway.

A Sandvik QH332 Hydrocone crusher and QA335 Doublescreen were chosen for the application. Designed for versatility, safety and high performance, the crusher comes with a choice of six different crushing chambers and a variety of bush settings. “The cone crusher has a wide choice of set-up with different concave and mantle configurations plus different throws, which allows the machine to be adjusted and configured to a wide range of products,” says Harry McMullan, BAM’s quarry manager on the project.

Both machines have performed exceptionally well considering the harsh environment they are working in

The mobile screen has Doublescreen technology featuring two high velocity, angle adjustable screens to optimize screening performance and accuracy.

Due to the remote location and nature of the application, aftermarket support, in terms of technical service and spare parts and consumables, is also crucial for the success of the project. “Support from Sandvik service engineers has been excellent and they have been available on the phone when required. I would not hesitate to recommend Sandvik as a supplier,” says McMullan, who has had a Sandvik QJ341 jaw crusher on site as well. “Both machines have performed exceptionally well considering the harsh environment they are working in.”