Zinc Ore
Mobile handling for zinc ore, sinter and concentrate across mines, mills and export terminals.
SANTO supplies mobile conveying, stacking and loading equipment engineered for zinc ore — from receiving and stockpiling to reclaim and load-out. The notes below cover the properties that matter, the problems that typically appear on site and the machines we recommend.
Why Mobile Conveying Suits Zinc Ore
Zinc ore is a dense (2.5–3.5 t/m³), abrasive sulfide rock whose concentrate is a fine, dusty powder. The tracked stockpiler builds coarse-ore stockpiles while feeder stackers buffer the mill feed for steady throughput.
- Tracked mobility follows the advancing mine face
- Feeder stackers buffer mill feed for steady throughput
- Abrasion-resistant belts resist sulfide wear
- Enclosed transfer contains fine concentrate dust
- Radial stacking maximizes dense ore yard density
Physical Properties and Handling Behaviour
The table below summarises the properties that decide belt specification, chute geometry and stacking method for this material. Values are typical ranges — actual figures vary with source and moisture content, so we test your sample before finalising a design.
| Property | Typical Value / Handling Impact |
|---|---|
| Bulk density | 2.5–3.5 t/m³ (dense sulfide rock) |
| Particle size | Run-of-mine to < 0.1 mm concentrate |
| Abrasiveness | High — sulfide ores wear belts |
| Angle of repose | 35–40° for coarse ore |
| Handling note | Heavy-duty wear packs; enclose concentrate dust |
Handling Challenges with Zinc Ore — and How SANTO Solves Them
Zinc sulfide ore is dense and abrasive, wearing standard belts, while the fine concentrate is a dust hazard that needs containment. Blast surges also stall the mill if feed is uncontrolled.
SANTO tracked stackers and feeder stackers use abrasion-resistant belts, impact beds and sealed bearings for the ore, with enclosed transfer for concentrate. Feeder buffering smooths mill feed as the face advances.
- Specify abrasion-resistant belt and impact beds
- Enclose concentrate transfer to control dust
- Use feeder buffering to protect the mill
Recommended SANTO Equipment
For zinc ore we most often supply the machines listed below. Each can be configured with the belt width, boom length and drive power your tonnage requires, and each is available on wheeled, tracked or crawler chassis.
- Tracked Stockpiler — configured for zinc ore duty
- Feeder Track Stacker — configured for zinc ore duty
- Grasshopper Conveyor — configured for zinc ore duty
- Tracked Radial Stacker — configured for zinc ore duty
Typical Stockpiling and Loading Setups
A well-planned zinc ore yard keeps receiving, stacking and reclaiming on separate paths so trucks never queue behind a loader. In the most common layout, a mobile conveyor receives from the tipper or hopper and feeds a radial telescopic stacker that builds a layered stockpile, while a second conveyor reclaims to the loading point.
- Receiving: hopper or direct truck discharge into a mobile conveyor
- Stacking: radial or telescopic stacking to build layered, drainable stockpiles
- Reclaim: front-end loader feeding a mobile conveyor, or direct reclaim conveyor
- Load-out: conveyor to truck, wagon, barge or vessel hold
Frequently Asked Questions
How is sulfide abrasion handled?
Abrasion-resistant belt covers, impact beds and sealed, heavy-duty idlers survive the dense zinc sulfide ore.
What about zinc concentrate dust?
Enclosed transfer points and belt scrapers contain the fine, dusty concentrate during stacking and loadout.
Can the equipment follow the mine?
Yes. Tracked stackers and grasshopper conveyors relocate with the advancing face, keeping haul short.
Need the right machine for your site?
Send us your material, required capacity and site layout. SANTO engineers will size the equipment and return a configuration proposal within 12 hours — no obligation.