Mining companies looking for affordable, high-quality packaging solutions are increasingly choosing heavy-duty bulk bags. Flexible intermediate bulk containers, or FIBCs, are made of durable polypropylene and are perfectly suited for the transportation, storage and handling of mined materials and mining waste. Whether for underground or open mine use, Custom Bulk Bags products are able to withstand harsh conditions.
Issues with FIBCs can cause delays in getting materials transported off mines, so it is important to choose packaging that can withstand heavy loads and is flexible and durable. Raw materials can be lost if the packaging breaks, so choosing a durable material such as polypropylene is the logical choice for mining companies.
The extraction of valuable minerals and ore needs to be coupled with a reliable packaging solution to ensure that both mined materials and waste products are effectively and easily transported off mining sites. Custom Bulk Bags offers a variety of heavy-duty FIBCs that can be customised to the needs of the client. Here are some of the unique features of FIBCs that make them so well-suited for mining companies.
Strength and durability of bulk bags
FIBCs are designed to hold significantly more weight when compared to other packaging options. Our largest bulk bag can hold at least two metric tonnes of material, despite only weighing around 3kgs. This means that bulk bags are well-suited for heavy mining ore, such as rocks, sand or sludge. Bulk bags can be easily loaded and stacked, which allows materials to be effectively transported to and from mines.
At Custom Bulk Bags, we conduct regular and rigorous tests to determine the safe working load (SWL) of our FIBCs. We offer bags with a minimum safety factor of 5:1, meaning that our bulk bags can hold at least five times their recommended load. It is vital that companies do not exceed the SWL of bags, so speak to our team to ensure you choose the right bag for your needs.
Reliability and flexibility of polypropylene
It’s essential that mined substances do not react to their packaging. FICBs are made of polypropylene, which is a chemical-resistant, mold-resistant and rust-resistant polymer. Polypropylene is used by a wide range of industries because of these properties. Even highly sensitive items, such as food and pharmaceuticals, are packaged in polypropylene due to its inert properties and durability.
Polypropylene does not react to water, organic compounds or chemical compounds, which is ideal for the transportation of mining ore and waste. Polypropylene is ideally suited to this industry because it is such an inert material. It is a more resistant and durable material than paper or canvas packaging, and its rust-resistant properties make it a more reliable option than containers made of steel.
Polypropylene is extremely flexible and tear-resistant, which means that bulk bags can withstand heavy usage. FIBCs can also be customised to include additional liners to add a further layer of protection against moisture and wear and tear. Enduring the harsh conditions on mining sites give FIBCs an advantage over alternative packaging solutions.
Safety features of bulk bags
Woven polypropylene is able to handle the excessive weight of metals, ores and rocks. Our bulk bags are designed with reinforced loops and straps that allow them to be easily lifted and stacked. This helps to minimise risk to staff, as well as ensure that raw materials can be safely handled on-site.
Mines are notoriously busy workplaces, full of sophisticated equipment and heavy machinery that is used to excavate raw materials. Diggers, trucks, loaders and forklifts are common machinery that are used to move bulk bags around. FIBCs need to be made of a strong and durable material that isn’t easily punctured. Polypropylene is perfectly suited to the harsh conditions found at mining sites and is also able to withstand the abrasive nature of rocks and metals.
Adhering to safety standards and procedures is essential for any well-functioning mine. Fragile packaging can be a safety hazard, so it is important to choose a bulk bag that is up to the job. Keeping personnel safe while bags are filled, transported and stacked, as well as preserving the quality of mined goods, are two key safety features of the FIBCs produced by Custom Bulk Bags. Safety is paramount and our bulk bags are designed to meet the safety requirements of the mining industry.
Bulk bags can be customised
Speak to our experienced team at Custom Bulk Bags to help you choose the right bulk bag for your mined materials and waste products. We offer customisations options such as fabric weight, style of the bag, top and bottom design, as well as loop design.
- Bag Style: Choose from a range of styles, including U-panel, baffled, circular or four-panel bags.
- Top design: We have options for open top or duffel bags, with standard fills or cone spouts.
- Bottom design: Depending on your needs, we offer flat, spout or tie-open bottoms.
- Loop design: Our loop design includes four-point, cargo strap, single loop and more.
- UV protection: If your bulk bags will spend a significant amount of time outdoors, then speak to us about getting additional UV protection. Polypropylene, like all plastics, may degrade slowly over time. Protecting your FIBCs from UV rays can prolong their lifespan.
- Personalised logos: We offer customised printing so that your bags can include your company branding and logo, as well as any other information you’d like printed on the outside of the bag.
Custom Bulk Bags offers high-quality, heavy-duty FIBCs that are able to withstand the harsh conditions at mining sites. Our bulk packaging can be customised to suit the needs of our individual clients as we offer a variety of bag styles, as well as additional features. FIBCs are the most cost-effective way to handle and transport mining materials and waste products. These durable and lightweight bags are ideal for the mining industry. For more information about our bulk bags or to place an order, please contact us today.
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Custom Bulk Bags is a leading South African manufacturer of woven polypropylene bags for various industries, such as mining, chemicals and food. We are able to produce over 3.5-million bulk bags per year, keeping our customers in-stock at all times. Our bags adhere to the highest levels of quality as a result of our stringent in-house testing and quality control programmes.
Custom Bulk Bags holds ISO 9001 certification and we currently have a number of UN-certified designs. We are a Level 3 B-BBEE manufacturer and supplier and fall under the ownership structure of Deneb Investments Limited. For more information on our products, contact sales@custombulkbags.co.za. Follow us on Facebook for our latest news and industry insights.
