A major sand washing plant in Qatar, designed and engineered for Qatar Primary Materials Company (QPMC) by wet processing solutions provider CDE nearly 20 years ago, is completing upgrades to maximise productivity after processing 70 million tonnes of sand to date.

The 1,200-tonnes-per-hour plant continues to be a regional leader in capacity, according to CDE, one of the leading suppliers of wet processing solutions for the natural minerals processing and waste recycling sectors. The upgrades include new rinsing screens and an updated dewatering screen for two of the lines.

Comprising four lines of operation, each processing up to 300 tonnes per hour, the plant utilises an elevated platform that enables a continuous flow of in-bound trucks to feed the hopper directly.

Running in unison, each line consists of a series of 7x2m coarse rinsing screens, CDE’s patented EvoWash sand washing system, a network of stockpile conveyors, and industry-leading water management systems, including CDE’s AquaCycle thickener and a high-capacity filter press.

Together they produce up to 24,000 tonnes of washed and graded sand per day, presenting a unique challenge for the aftersales team, says Sena Biswas, CDE’s CustomCare manager.

“A plant of this sheer scale requires an always-on approach to maintenance. QPMC is also one of the three biggest local suppliers of construction materials in what is a fast-developing region, so proactive, preventative and responsive on-the-ground support is paramount,” he says.

New rinsing screens and an updated dewatering screen have been installed for two of the lines at Qatar Primary Materials Company’s sand washing facilities.

A real feat

Soon-to-be-commissioned upgrades to the plant, including new rinsing screens for two of the four lines, and updating the dewatering screen to the latest technology, are the first additions to the plant in over 15 years of operation, which has been described as ‘a real feat’ by Hamad Ali, Sand Operation Manager at QPMC.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the magnitude of the task at hand when it comes to servicing and maintaining a plant processing these volumes. It’s a critical part of the supply chain and ensures a well-managed supply of primary materials are readily available to help the nation achieve its construction goals. It’s a real feat what the CDE team has achieved in this time to maintain such a productive and highly optimised plant,” he says.

QPMC plays a vital role in supporting Qatar’s construction sector by providing essential materials and logistics services. From Mesaieed Port (GBT), QPMC offers stevedoring facilities for both aggregate and non-aggregate importers, along with storage solutions.

QPMC provides washed sand, dune sand, gabbro, and limestone to meet the industry’s demands. In line with its commitment to sustainability, QPMC also processes construction, demolition, and excavation waste, producing high-quality recycled aggregates. These recycled materials serve as environmentally friendly alternatives to natural primary resources. 

To ensure an uninterrupted supply of materials flow from the plant, CDE says it delivers a tailored service plan which includes bi-monthly preventative maintenance inspections, quarterly site visits by QPMC’s dedicated CustomCare manager, proactive management of equipment and stock to ensure parts are available in the local market before they’re needed, and even plant telematics to help boost efficiency, productivity, and enhance overall asset management.

“This ground support is directly linked to strengthening the quality of the product suite, which in turn is helping drive business growth for QPMC,” Biswas says.

Ali adds that achieving strong return on investment shortly after commissioning was completed is in large part down to servicing and maintenance.

“It’s one thing to commission a plant. The real job is keeping it up and running. The fast return on investment we saw speaks to both the efficiency and robustness of CDE’s equipment. It also demonstrates the dedication of its team to making sure the plant maintains its performance over the long term, which it most definitely has,” he states.

 Ali says the CDE plant is a key part of QPMC’s contribution to the Qatar National Vision 2030.

“The efficiency of the plant in terms of its energy saving capabilities and being able to maximise the availability of our natural reserves without waste is closely aligned with the environmental development goals of the national vision and has strengthened our own sustainability commitments,” he concludes.