Palabora Project – World Record

Palabora Project World Record Design included mechanical design, dynamic analysis, pulley FEA, curved chute design, control system, instrumentation, and commisioning. Worlds strongest belt at the time.

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Year of Construction: 1989
Location: South Africa
Length : 2.875 km
Power: 14,100 kW
Capacity: 7,200 tph
Strength: ST-6600 N/mm
Velocity : 4.1 m/s
Material: Copper Ore

Interesting Features:

  • Worlds strongest belt at the time
  • Low speed holdbacks on two drive pulleys use CDI designed holdback load share device to share load to +/- 10%.
  • Determined shell fatal flaw in pulley design prior to manufacturing using FEA.
  • In 1993, CDI provided novel curved chute design which protects against premature belt wear.
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