6. March 2026
Case Study: Conveyor Side Guarding Installation at a Gold Mine in Northern British Columbia
Mining operations rely heavily on large, high-capacity conveyors to move material efficiently across processing areas and stockpiles. Ensuring these conveyors are properly guarded is essential for protecting workers while maintaining reliable production.
In this project, our team supported a gold mining operation in northern British Columbia, Canada, by designing and supplying a full conveyor side guarding system for a large stacking conveyor. The project combined detailed pre-engineering, custom mounting hardware, and on-site support to allow the mine’s internal maintenance team to complete the installation efficiently.
Project Overview
The guarding system was designed to provide continuous side protection along both sides of a large stacking conveyor used to transport and stack ore.
Rather than relying on an external installation crew, the mine opted to have its own site maintenance team carry out the installation, supported by a fully engineered package and on-site guidance.
Key project elements included:
- Application: Large stacking conveyor
- Location: Northern British Columbia, Canada
- Guarding system: Full side panelling on both sides of the conveyor
- Installation method: Site installation team using pre-designed installation packs
- Support: On-site engineering assistance and project oversight
The Design Approach
Because the installation would be completed by the mine’s own personnel, the guarding system needed to be simple, repeatable, and quick to install.
Our engineering team completed the full guarding design in advance, ensuring every component could be installed efficiently in the field. The goal was to remove uncertainty during installation and give the site team clear, structured guidance.
The design process included:
- Detailed layout of the full side guarding system
- Pre-engineered mounting locations
- Custom-designed clamping hardware
- Comprehensive installation documentation
Custom Clamping Plate Fixings
One of the key features of the project was the development of bespoke clamping plate fixings specifically designed for this conveyor structure.
These clamping plates allowed the guarding panels to be securely mounted without the need for complex fabrication work on site.
Benefits of the custom fixings included:
- Fast installation with minimal adjustments
- Consistent alignment across the entire conveyor length
- Reduced installation errors thanks to pre-defined mounting points
- Minimal modification to the existing conveyor structure
By simplifying the attachment process, the installation could be carried out efficiently by the mine’s own maintenance crew.
Detailed Installation Packs
To support the site team, we produced comprehensive installation packs that clearly outlined each stage of the project.
These packs included:
- Guarding layout drawings
- Mounting details and hardware specifications
- Step-by-step installation guidance
- Fixing locations and spacing information
Providing this level of documentation ensured that the installation team could follow a clear process and maintain consistent installation quality throughout the project.
On-Site Engineering Support
Although the installation was performed by the mine’s internal team, we provided an on-site engineer to assist and oversee the project.
This support helped ensure:
- The installation followed the original design specifications
- Any site-specific challenges were addressed quickly
- The installation team had technical guidance when needed
Having engineering support available on site also helped keep the project moving smoothly and reduced potential delays.
The Result
The completed guarding system now provides full side protection along the stacking conveyor, improving worker safety while maintaining access for inspection and maintenance activities.
By combining detailed pre-engineering, custom mounting hardware, and structured installation guidance, the project delivered a safe and efficient guarding solution without the need for a large external installation crew.
Final Thoughts
Mining environments often require practical solutions that can be installed quickly with limited disruption to production. Projects like this demonstrate the value of well-engineered guarding systems that are designed with installation efficiency in mind.
Through careful planning, custom fixings, and on-site engineering support, the guarding system for this northern British Columbia gold mine was successfully implemented, helping create a safer conveyor system while making the installation process straightforward for the client’s own team.