Skip to main content

Rockster machines operating in Tanzania extraction operation

Rockster’s DUPLEX System is being used in an extraction operation in Tanzania. The PB Mining Company in Tanzania selected Rockster’s 2-in-1 machine for crushing highly abrasive rock. The extraction firm was formed in 2014 and specialises in the exploration of lead glance, named Galena, the natural mineral form of lead sulphide. This is the most important ore of lead and usually contains about 1–2% silver, a byproduct that far outweighs the main lead ore in revenue. Because of its low melting point, it is e
May 14, 2018 Read time: 3 mins
The Rockster Jaw Crusher R800 crushes lead ore in Chunya to a size of 0-40 mm using screenbox and return belt
Rockster’s DUPLEX System is being used in an extraction operation in Tanzania. The PB Mining Company in Tanzania selected Rockster’s 2-in-1 machine for crushing highly abrasive rock.


The extraction firm was formed in 2014 and specialises in the exploration of lead glance, named Galena, the natural mineral form of lead sulphide. This is the most important ore of lead and usually contains about 1–2% silver, a byproduct that far outweighs the main lead ore in revenue. Because of its low melting point, it is easy to liberate by smelting.

The company has many different sites in the Mbeya Region in the United Republic of Tanzania, working in a territory of about 80km2. Exploration works are carried out by excavation as well as using vertical and inclined prospecting drilling, a driving of trenches, vertical and inclined holes.

One of the sites is located near Chunya in Tanzania’s Mbeya Region. The firm started to work at the site in May 2017 first excavating the upper layers of the soil and taking out the first samples of ore for analysis. After positive results of the geological tests the firm started its main extraction operation.

The firm brought in the 8790 Rockster R800 jaw crusher to crush the Galena to a fraction of 0-40mm. To define this final grain size, the firm use an RS83 screenbox with an RB75 return belt on the crushing plant. After that the firm changes the crushing units and continues crushing the 0-40mm material with the impact crusher R900 to a fraction of 0-5 mm. This material is sent to a leaching company to separate the pure ore which is then used for the production of concentrates based on polymetallic ores.

Rockster sales representative Maksim Perminov commissioned the machine and did the training and instruction at the customer’s site in Tanzania. He said, “After finding out the requirements of the PB Mining Company I was sure that the Rockster Duplex-System would be the best solution to receive the final grain quality they need with the lowest costs possible. The uniformity of the ore mass is very important for them. As the Galena rock has a very high abrasiveness, it requires a primary crushing on the jaw crusher to reduce the wear of blow bars when working on a rotary crusher.”

The PB Mining Company’s 2-in-1 crushing plant has proven successful in producing the necessary 0-5mm final grain. Using this equipment has done away with the need for purchasing, maintaining and transporting separate crushers. By using the jaw as primary crusher the firm saves wear and maintenance costs. The secondary impact crusher also delivers a good product shape and quality, allowing the firm to crush the Galena in the most ecological and cost efficient way.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Going mobile in Mexico
    April 12, 2012
    Mexico-based Grupo Pinfra was one of the country's first aggregate producers to invest in mobile crushing and screening equipment. Twenty years on, the company is still confident that mobile equipment is key to meeting demand and has just expanded its fleet. In 1991, Pinfra took delivery of two Metso Minerals Lokotrack LT125 mobile crushers and these have now clocked up 30,000 working hours. Nonetheless, there is still plenty of life in these machines and while the newly acquired LT140 jaw crusher takes
  • Brazilian mine and infrastructure projects create jobs
    June 11, 2012
    A huge $5 billion Brazilian mine project together with extensive infrastructure developments is expected to create 8,000 jobs Huge export opportunities in Brazil, including equipment for aggregate production and highway construction, are being highlighted by the UK Construction Equipment Association (CEA). UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has appointed the CEA to deliver a UK Information Share Fair and extended Trade Mission to Brazil to promote a major high value opportunity for UK manufacturers and service pr
  • Emergent markets key for formwork sector growth
    May 21, 2014
    Central and south-east Europe are hotbeds for new highway infrastructure projects utilising cutting-edge formwork solutions, while a number of leading formwork manufacturers are also looking at emergent markets for growth. Guy Woodford reports Travelling between Hungary’s capital Budapest and Southern Dalmatia now takes less time thanks to the Pan-European Corridor Vc – European route 73. Numerous tunnels and bridges are erected along the 397km stretch of the European route 73 through Bosnia owing to the
  • Canada: Ring of Fire road debate heats up
    September 6, 2016
    A 400km road built specifically into the Canada’s isolated but mineral-rich Ring of Fire region could cost between US$204-$443 million, according to a government-funded study. The road, entirely in the province of Ontario, would start in the port of Thunder Bay at the head of the Great Lakes and run northeast to the James Bay area, just south of Hudson Bay.