Mining raw materials involves a complex process with multiple critical steps and a variety of machinery. A key step in this process is screening, which separates raw materials into different piles. For example, screening can separate sand or silt from valuable materials like metals or precious gems.
Traditionally, screening was a tedious, labour-intensive task prone to human error, with workers manually sifting through piles to extract target materials. Today, aggregate screens and screening machines have revolutionized this process by automating much of the work and minimizing material loss.
Modern screening processes use aggregate screens to separate materials based on size. Mixed materials are sifted through several aggregate screens, sorting them into different size categories. Once separated, the materials fall onto attached conveyors that deposit them into designated piles throughout the mining site.
Screening operations typically use multiple aggregate screens with various mesh sizes. This combination allows the mining operation to separate materials based on size, weight, or texture.
Types of Aggregate Screening Machines
Aggregate screens are commonly used in large screening machines that form part of an assembly line at mining sites. Screening machines are generally divided into two categories:
- Vibrating Screening Machines: These large industrial machines use a vibrating screen box to separate materials. The vibration moves the materials through various aggregate screens, allowing different sized materials to pass through. Vibrating screening machines use specific motion types, such as linear or elliptical vibration, to aid in this process.
- Stationary Screening Machines: These machines use scalping screens and bar screens to separate larger materials like rocks from smaller materials like sand. Although stationary screens have lower efficiency than vibrating screens, they can handle larger and heavier materials like boulders and rocks.
Each type of screening machine offers distinct advantages for different applications. For instance, vibrating screens are commonly used in sandstone or aggregate operations, while stationary screens are used in crushing operations.
Both types of machines can be paired with conveyor belt systems to transport separated materials to various site locations or onto trucks for quick and easy transportation. They can also be track or wheel-mounted, making them easy to move around a mining site or between locations.
Aggregate screening machines can separate materials based on size, typically focusing on two to six materials at a time.
Advantages of Screen Machines
Screen machines significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of material sorting operations. They reduce post-mining processing times by conducting the separation process on-site, allowing separated materials to be transported directly to their respective destinations. For instance, sand separated during mining can be sent to cement manufacturing centres, while raw metals can be routed to refineries.
Screen machines are versatile and can be configured to meet a variety of application needs. By using different sizes of aggregate screens, a machine can separate multiple materials from a single pile of raw material. The materials can be filtered multiple times with different screen variations to ensure all valuable components are captured.
Adjusting the configuration of a screen machine throughout the mining process ensures optimal recovery of valuable materials.
Explore the Benefits of a Screen Machine for Your Mining Operation
Aggregate screens offer an affordable and flexible solution for many screening operations. If you haven’t yet explored the use of a screen machine in your mining operation, you may be missing out on valuable raw materials. At Omnia Machinery, our experts can help you evaluate your mining operation’s needs to determine the perfect machinery fit. We can assist you in understanding the benefits and costs of a screen machine to decide if it’s a worthwhile investment.
Here at Omnia Machinery, we offer a wide range of quality used quarry equipment such as Jaw Crushers, Cone Crushers, Impact Crushers, Conveyors, Screeners and Shredders. We offer machinery from leading manufacturers such as Sandvik, Kleemann and McCloskey. As with all of our heavy equipment, each machine is thoroughly inspected, tested and serviced before shipment, ensuring you’re supplied with only the best for your project. Browse our quarry machinery here.