A gold mine located in Guinea, West Africa which produces approximately 6068 oz of gold annually, experienced severed material sticking in chutes and conveyor belts, especially during the rainy season. This caused frequent blockages , long downtime, and hazardous manual cleaning. Blockages required excavators and manual cleaning, increasing downtime, safety risks, and structural damage risks. The high moisture content during the rainy season caused severe material adhesion and poor flow.

Martin’s service technician together with our partner On-Site Services, conducted an inspection of the feed hopper and collaboratively devised a solution to address the issue, maximise cleaning efficiency and enhanced safety. Martin® Hurricane Air Cannons, renowned for their highly effective and compact design, were proposed to keep material moving. The Hurricane features a new valve concept that provides more force, uses less air, and simplifies installation and maintenance. In total, eight Martin® Hurricane Air Cannons with varying capacities (150L and 70L) were strategically installed on the feed hopper according to the plant's design.

The in-plant team reported a noticeable decrease in material build-up, resulting in smoother material flow, less downtime, and greater production efficiency. Safety was also significantly improved by reducing potential hazards from manual cleaning activities, benefiting both the facility and its workforce. The company expressed strong satisfaction with the system's performance and appreciated the comprehensive technical support provided throughout the project.