To cater to the huge Indian demand for aggregates, Aman Sethi Group, which has been associated with Metso (now Metso Outotec) for more than two decades, opted to go with Metso Outotec’s newest addition to its rapid fleet: a NW120 Rapid jaw crushing unit and a NW330GPS Rapid cone crushing & screening unit. With this, Aman Sethi Group became the first proud owner of the 350 tonnes per hour (tph) Rapid plant by Metso Outotec. They are easily able to achieve more than 1 lakh tonne (100,000 tonnes) of production on average per month, and they have been delighted with the expert service support from Metso (Metso Outotec) over the years.
With the changes in the government quarry rules and the rising demand for good quality aggregates, there was a need for a solution that could deliver quality aggregates and even enhance production volume with the lowest downtime. Seeing this need, Metso Outotec was well equipped to launch its newest product in the industry, the 350tph Rapid plant, with higher production capacity, lower operating costs and advanced automation.
Aman Sethi, proprietor of Aman Sethi Group, said: “If we talk about Bihar or even other states, the mines are auctioned by the government and are usually given on a five-year lease to the mine operator. The key here is to mine as much as possible in the given time frame. Even the markets are booming, so the operators need to go for two or even three crushing plants in one mine to produce more; this is a challenge, due to the space constraints in a mine area. This clearly signalled the need for a higher capacity plant that can operate in less space and deliver more in a limited time period.”
He continued: “Our decision to go with Metso Outotec’s 350tph Rapid plant was good, as we are able to get more than 1 lakh tonnes of production in a month, on average, and this plant has occupied almost the same space that a 250tph plant would occupy. Hence, we are producing more in the same amount of space. I feel that this plant has the capacity to deliver even more than 1.25 lakh tonnes (125,000 tonnes) per month with constant feed from the quarry.”
Manjeet Chawla, director of Aman Sethi Group, said: “We have always been trying new things or new opportunities, and if Metso Outotec was involved, we would take a chance. We went ahead and took the new higher capacity plant from Metso Outotec, and in record time it was installed, commissioned and we were in production. This being a Rapid plant, I think we saved a lot of time in installation and commissioning – and that one month of extra production gave us a head start.”
Deepak Raina, DGM, Aggregate Sales, Metso Outotec India, said Aman Sethi Group’s new Rapid 350tph plant had given the group the ability to achieve higher production capacity, low operating costs and even better support. “The Metso Outotec-supplied crushers have advanced automation, which increases the productivity of the machines and reduces the fuel consumption of the equipment. The quarry lease had already started, so the requirement for a quick setup of the plant was only possible with Metso Outotec’s Rapid range. Its setup time is minimal, and it can be easily moved from one location to another.”
Aman Sethi Group has been in the aggregates business for more than two decades and has been operating in Haryana,Odisha, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar and other states.
Seeing a rising demand for quality aggregates, they opted for the best equipment available in the industry. The aim was for a solution that could not only deliver quality aggregates but also deliver quantity with efficiency. The company founded by Som Prakash Sethi in 1975 is currently led by his son, Aman Sethi, who believes in quality products and services.
“As we were gradually increasing our business, we saw that there is a lot of demand in the market for quality aggregates that are not flaky. We witnessed the shortage of quality material and the Government’s increasingly stricter laws for the mining industry, making this business more challenging. So, we decided to go with Metso Outotec. Their quality equipment produces quality aggregates and long-term sustainable solutions that suit the mining industry – and that was precisely the need of the hour.”
The company has gradually expanded its foothold in the market and has adjusted to the changing requirements of the industry. From operating more than 300 local crushers in one zone at one point in time, the company has slowly moved to plants offering high capacity, optimum life, high uptime and the lowest cost of operating. As one of the largest producers of aggregates in the industry, the company has been regarded as a trendsetter by many other players in the industry.
“We bought the first crusher, a C125 jaw crusher from Metso, in 1997; the best part is the crusher is still operating in one of our quarries 20 years later. Seeing the crusher operating even after 20 years gives us confidence in the Metso Outotec brand and its equipment,” said Chawla. He added: “The Indian market is one of the biggest markets for aggregates and we are one of the biggest mine operators in north India. Initially, we operated more than 300 local crushers in our quarries, as there were frequent breakdowns, and the demand was not fulfilled. Buying that first crusher from Metso changed the perception, as production quality was good, crusher uptime was high, and we were able to meet the growing market demand for aggregates.
“Any equipment can have problems, but the key in our business is how fast the problem is solved. Metso Outotec has been delivering the best service, and this has enabled us to lead from the front in this industry,” said Chawla.
The cost of a shutdown is very important to any mine operator, and the aim is to minimize it or find a solution to the issue as quickly as possible. Metso Outotec, with its wide service network spread across India, has lived up to customer expectations and has delivered quality service to its customers.
“Service plays a vital role in this crushing business, so the plant’s proper upkeep and preventive maintenance is a must. Metso Outotec’s service experts have been able to reduce these shutdowns by training our people on how to operate the plant and even educate us on inventory planning so that the maintenance is quick.” He added: “We only buy genuine spares from Metso Outotec; this way, we do not face any shutdown due to a faulty spare. I am happy with the services provided by Metso and – just like other companies – we have confidence in Metso Outotec’s quality and brand services. We have ten more projects coming up, and I am happy to share that all my future orders will go to Metso Outotec only.”
