Machine To Crush Stones In South Africa And The Price: A Practical Guide
South Africa’s robust mining and construction sectors are intrinsically linked to the fundamental process of breaking down rock and stone. Whether it’s extracting precious minerals, producing aggregates for roads and buildings, or processing quarry materials, stone crushing machines are indispensable workhorses. Understanding the types available and their associated costs is crucial for any project’s success. This guide provides a clear overview.
The Crucial Role of Stone Crushers in South Africa
Mining: Crushing run-of-mine ore to liberate valuable minerals (gold, platinum, diamonds, coal, iron ore) for further processing.
Construction & Infrastructure: Producing essential aggregates (sand, gravel, crushed stone) for concrete, asphalt, road bases, and building foundations. Major infrastructure projects constantly drive demand.
Quarrying: Processing blasted rock into various sizes of saleable aggregate products.
Recycling: Crushing concrete and demolition waste for reuse as recycled aggregate.
Common Types of Stone Crushing Machines in South Africa
1. Jaw Crushers:
How they work: Use compressive force between a fixed and a moving jaw plate.
Best for: Primary crushing (first stage), hard to medium-hard rocks. High capacity and reliability.
Typical Applications: Large quarries, mining primary crushing stations.
2. Cone Crushers:
How they work: Material is crushed between an eccentrically rotating mantle and a concave bowl liner.
Best for: Secondary and tertiary crushing stages. Produce well-shaped cubical aggregates. Excellent for hard and abrasive stones.
Typical Applications: Producing high-quality aggregates for concrete/asphalt, secondary crushing after jaw crushers.
3. Impact Crushers (Horizontal Shaft Impactors – HSI / Vertical Shaft Impactors – VSI):
How they work: Use high-speed impact from hammers/bars (HSI) or rock-on-rock action (VSI) to fracture stone.
Best for:
HSI: Secondary crushing of softer to medium-hard stones; good for recycling applications; produces somewhat more angular product.
VSI: Tertiary/final shaping stage; produces highly cubical sand (“manufactured sand”) and fine aggregates; excellent particle shape control.