The Announcement
Basseterre, St. Kitts—On Thursday, August 22, 2024, the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy, Utilities, and Domestic Transport, Hon. Konris Maynard, broke news via a video on his social media page that his Ministry had successfully procured and commissioned a new, primary crusher to facilitate and expedite quarry operations.
“This is the first major primary crusher upgrade since 1988. This is going to increase the capacity of the quarry exponentially,” the Minister said.
The Function and the Features
As the name implies, a primary crusher transforms large stones into smaller ones by a crushing mechanism. Among the features that make the Powerscreen p400x primary crushing jaw unique are its crushing rate and mobility.
The Implications for Generating Raw Materials
Quarry Manager Jermaine Lake excitedly informed the Minister that the new machine could crush 400 tons of stone per hour. Comparing the new machine with the older ones, Mr. Lake said, “It will save us time. It is much more efficient.”
The two older machines crush rocks at 175 and 80 tonnes per hour. The new primary crusher still outshines them by 145 tonnes per hour, making this machine a more efficient way to crush.
In addition to an improvement in the crushing rate, the new machine is also mobile. Its benefit is something Quarry Manager Lake was delighted to explain. “It would allow us to crush where the material is as opposed to having to send excavators and trucks,” he excitedly told Minister Maynard as both men observed the new machine in action, only a few feet away.
Some Examples of Projects to Benefit from the Commissioning
The Minister provided an overview of ongoing and future road projects that would benefit from commissioning the new machine, including those in the following areas:
- St. Peters
- Shadwell West
- Boyds
- Palmetto Point
- Newton Ground
The Training Session
Kevin Johnson, a representative of Powerscreen of Florida, Georgia, and the Caribbean, conducted the training on the Powerscreen p400x primary crushing jaw from August 12 – 22, 2024.
Conclusion
As the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Energy, Utilities, and Domestic Transport implements its proactive strategy to modernize quarry operations, it also aims to improve the efficiency of developing and maintaining public infrastructure throughout the country. Investing in new technology and building its workforce’s capacity are two ways the Ministry continues to demonstrate its commitment to paving a path for development that each citizen can be proud of, not only in the present but also in the years ahead.
