Hungry for M(ore) – Raising Conveyor Performance with BBCP Hungry Boards

In mining, every tonne matters. Spillage, dust, and intermittent surges in product width eat into productivity and margins. BBCP designs practical solutions that address these challenges directly. One innovation now delivering results in industry is the BBCP Hungry Board: a lightweight, high-strength UHMWPE panel engineered to contain conveyed material, reduce spillage, and support conveyor efficiency.

 

Why Containment Matters

Conveyors are the arteries of a mine. When ore escapes – such as when bouncy product falls of the edge of the belt – the impacts are immediate. They include lost production, safety risks, dust and environmental compliance issues, and accelerated wear. Hungry Boards act as adjustable side barriers, particularly effective on steep approaches to head chutes where belts flatten. By containing material during surges or handling bouncy product, they cut spillage and keep ore moving safely on the belt.

 

The BBCP Difference

While Hungry Boards have been part of mining for decades, BBCP has re-engineered them to meet modern mining demands with advanced materials, smarter design, and easier handling. UHMWPE panels are abrasion resistant, corrosion free, and available in FRAS-approved options. Adjustable height settings allow for tailoring to belt load, idler spacing, and headroom. Their lightweight build means safe one-person installation and removal, with custom sizing available up to 3000 mm. Long service life is assured, with no corrosion, no painting, and minimal upkeep.

To ensure the best fit on site, BBCP carries out 3D scans of existing conveyor systems. This allows Hungry Boards to be precisely designed and fabricated for retrofitting onto existing structure without the need for major modifications.

Today’s BBCP Hungry Boards are tougher, safer, and faster to maintain than traditional steel.

 

Proven Performance in NSW

At a copper-gold mine in New South Wales, conveyors run continuously under high load. Spillage and steel-board corrosion were causing ongoing productivity and maintenance issues. Our Hungry Boards were installed across key conveyors to contain ore, support smoother flow during surges, and cut clean-up requirements. The results: spillage reduced by more than 70% in high-risk areas; corrosion eliminated, removing the need for painting or replacements; maintenance faster and safer, with boards removed and replaced by one person. The most valued outcome has been fewer manual clean-up tasks, directly improving worker safety while keeping ore in the system.

 

From Containment to Performance

Hungry Boards are more than side barriers: they’re productivity assets. By keeping ore in the system, they reduce shutdowns for clean-up and cut maintenance costs. The benefits extend further: lower dust levels improve health and compliance; cleaner idlers and pulleys extend equipment life; reduced manual handling improves safety in hazard zones; and less waste supports sustainability targets.

 

Looking Forward

With growing pressure to lift productivity through protecting losses, Hungry Boards help. They contain ore effectively, cut spillage, and keep workers clear of high-risk clean-up zones. As conveyors are pushed harder, containment solutions like BBCP Hungry Boards will be central to maintaining efficiency and compliance. After all, mining is about margins. Every tonne kept on the belt improves production, safety, and sustainability.

 

Keep ore in the system and risk off the table. Talk to BBCP about Hungry Boards for your conveyors.