Haver & Boecker seal bagging deal with WA Kaolin

WA Kaolin will look to expand its operations to 400,000 tonnes of kaolin per annum at the 644 million tonne resource, with Haver & Boecker ensuring the product is then packed efficientely.

Included in the order were Haver & Boecker’s Haver M-Series 4W, a valve bag filling machine, the Haver valve bag placer for four spouts and a flat belt conveyor.

The equipment can fill 700 valve bags per hour at 20 kilograms each.

Haver & Boecker Ausralia general manager Clelio Tonelli said it was a great development for both businesses.

“We are delighted WA Kaolin have recognised Haver & Boecker Australia as the best solution provider for its new bagging line to be installed at WA Kaolin’s production facility under development in Wickepin,” Tonelli said.

“The resulting contract is a testament to the excellent work performed by our specialist operatives.”

Tonelli said the equipment would be a long-term solution for WA Kaolin, aiding in the optimisation of productivity and safety.

“Our solution will deliver a significant increase in efficiency when it comes to producing high-quality bagged product from not only an economic standpoint but occupational health and safety considerations as well,” Tonelli said.

The Wickepin project was acquired from Rio Tinto in 1999 and WA Kaolin has invested over $42 million in the project since then.

WA Kaolin chief executive officer Andrew Sorensen said the partnership with Haver & Boecker would ensure the project was able to deliver the results its resource deserved.

“The signing of this contract represents another exciting step forward in the development of our Wickepin project, which is expected to deliver 200,000 tonnes of kaolin per annum from the first quarter of 2022,” Sorensen said.

“The acquisition of high-quality bagging equipment from a world-leading company such as Haver & Boecker will ensure that we have the appropriate facilities in place as we are moving towards production.”