In the South African mining and processing industry, wire mesh screens are still one of the most trusted and widely used screening mediums. Whether you’re working in gold, coal, chrome, or aggregate, knowing when to choose wire mesh over other screen types like polyurethane or rubber panels can impact your plant’s efficiency, wear life, and cost-per-tonne.
At Songatech (Pty) Ltd, we supply high-tensile wire mesh solutions to mines across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and beyond. Here’s what every plant manager or engineer should consider when deciding whether wire mesh is the right tool for the job.
What is Wire Mesh?
Wire mesh, often referred to as woven wire screen, is made from high-tensile steel or stainless steel wires, interwoven to form square or rectangular openings. It is mounted on vibrating screens to separate material by size.
Wire mesh is available in different:
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Aperture sizes (for particle control)
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Wire diameters (for strength)
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Weave patterns (for material flow and pegging resistance)
When Should You Use Wire Mesh?
1. When You Need Sharp Cut-Point Accuracy
Wire mesh offers exceptionally precise screening, especially for dry and free-flowing material. It is ideal when the goal is to achieve a consistent product size without risking over- or under-sizing. In South Africa, many gold plants use wire mesh for fine screening before flotation or leaching.
2. When Your Material Is Not Highly Abrasive
While wire mesh performs well, it has a shorter wear life compared to polyurethane or rubber panels. It is best suited to materials with moderate abrasion characteristics — such as coal, limestone, and manganese.
3. When Blinding or Pegging Is a Concern
Certain weave types (like double crimp or self-cleaning screens) reduce the risk of pegging. If your operation deals with sticky material, wire mesh with the correct open area can clear itself more easily than solid modular panels.
4. When Your Screen Deck Needs High Open Area
Wire mesh has a much higher percentage of open area than most modular alternatives. This means more material passes through per square metre, improving throughput and reducing loading on downstream processes.
Wire Mesh vs Polyurethane – Know the Trade-Offs
| Feature | Wire Mesh | Polyurethane Panels |
|---|---|---|
| Precision | Very High | Moderate |
| Wear Resistance | Moderate (lower for abrasive ores) | High |
| Open Area | High | Lower |
| Maintenance | Frequent replacements | Longer wear life |
| Cost Efficiency | Lower upfront cost | Higher upfront, lower long-term cost |
| Use Cases | Coal, sand, chrome fines | Iron ore, high-abrasion applications |
Where Wire Mesh Works Best in South Africa
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Coal mines using dry screening processes in Mpumalanga
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Chrome plants running high-frequency classification in Limpopo
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Quarries and aggregate producers in Gauteng
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Gold operations that require tight cut sizes before flotation
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Diamond recovery plants screening under-size or concentrate streams
Songatech Wire Mesh Screens
At Songatech, our wire mesh products are manufactured from high-tensile wire to maximise resistance to vibration, stretching, and fatigue. We offer:
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Standard and custom sizes
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Welded and woven mesh options
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High-carbon steel and stainless steel grades
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Technical advice on deck fitting, tensioning, and wear prediction
Speak to a Screening Expert
Choosing the wrong screen media will cost you in downtime, panel replacements, and reduced efficiency. Our technical team is available to inspect your current setup and recommend the most suitable screen media based on your ore type, deck setup, and throughput needs.
📞 Call us on 010 474 1272
📧 Email: admin@songatech.co.za
📍 Visit: 6 Flamink Road, Alrode, Alberton South, Ext 5, 1451
Songatech (Pty) Ltd — Precision Where It Matters. Supply You Can Count On.
