New plant for primary crushing at Laborde quarry

The family-run quarry is located in southwest France, close to the Spanish border, in the Arpe Valley along the road leading to Pyrenees National Park. The site in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, a small town of 10,000 inhabitants, consists of an Urgonian limestone deposit. The aggregates obtained test 21 and 16, respectively, in Los Angeles and Micro-Deval indexes, indicating that the hard rock is ideal for both road and concrete applications.

The quarry produces 250,000 tons of aggregates annually, half of which is used to meet the needs of the company’s other two activities: concrete manufacturing and excavation. Founded in 1971 by their father, the two brothers Guy and Françis Laborde decided to revive the operation of the aging quarry. The Laborde Company is presided over by Guy Laborde, while Francis manages the quarry operations, and his son Guillaume heads the downstream concrete plant.

Confidence built over time

In 1991, Francis Laborde decided to go with Metso by investing in an NP™ 1315 primary impact crusher. After more than 25 years of complete satisfaction, he renewed his confidence in Metso and decided to replace the entire primary stationary plant.

The new plant consists of a DET 10-38 Apron feeder equipped with a rock box primary hopper, followed by a VG 527-2V scalper. This in turn feeds an NP™ 1313 impact crusher with hydraulic adjustment assistance. Crusher products are conveyed into a 9m² type CVB 202 screen. Nord conveyor belts are used in the conveying process.

Commissioned at the end of 2017, this plant now enables the production of five different products ranging from 0/20 mm to 0/80 mm in a single stage of crushing and screening.

Optimizing for the future

The replacement project has resulted in an overall increase in production and in the number of sellable products, as well as an increase in product quality and cleanliness. The efficiency gains are undeniable. In addition to overall energy performance, modernizing the equipment also saves valuable time during maintenance operations and ensures optimal safety for operators.

The ease of maintenance operations on the NP™ 1313 crusher as well as the additional workspace between the CVB 202 screen decks were decisive in the choice of equipment.  The hydraulic assistance for the crusher setting adjustment, the wheel-operated trolley opening to access the screen body, specific tooling and gateways along the conveyors, and emergency stop buttons have ramped up Laborde’s commitment to a safe environment in the quarry operation.

The decision to replace the entire primary crushing and screening plant also prompted a review of its installation location within the deposit. A rock-filled mound judiciously placed within the footprint of the new primary phase by the Laborde company helps contain the noise propagation.A vacuum filter captures the dust at the crusher output. A metal dust encapsulation box on the top and Trellex® rubber sealing keeps the dust generated by the screen inside the box. A watering system on the belt conveyors helps to reduce the dispersion of fines.

Additional proof that “optimization” remains the best equation: better production – both in terms of quantity and quality, and easier and safer working conditions for the operators in their work environment. In short, this family is prepared for a serene future, at least for the next 25 years!