Ivory crush event puts international spotlight on crushing

By |  June 23, 2015

A portable crusher made international headlines in international news last week, as Powerscreen teamed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to crush 1 ton of illegally poached ivory on June 19 in New York’s Times Square.

Crowds gathered that morning to watch as a Powerscreen Trakpactor 260 reduced confiscated ivory products down to rubble.

According to several news reports, the Obama Administration’s push to end poaching and wildlife trafficking rings prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Conservation Society to host the event.

Although the event promoted anti-poaching, it also thrust crushing into the international spotlight. It’s doubtful people in the crowd had ever seen or heard crushers in action before, so the event promoted the crushing industry in that respect.

Ivory crushes are trending, as well. This was not the first ivory crush to feature a Powerscreen crusher. Powerscreen teamed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in November 2013 for a similar event at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Denver to pulverize nearly 6 tons of illegal ivory products. Dozens of conservationists and international media flocked to the event.

Reports from that event noted that other efforts have been used to destroy illegal ivory products such as burning and flat rolling, but none have worked as successfully as crushers. Powerscreen speculated this might be because the crushers used in this event had recirculating conveyors that allow material to pass through it until material is pulverized to spec.

Media events such as this one could be an opportunity for crusher manufacturers or owners throughout the United States. While it’s unlikely an ivory crush event can take place in any community, it is critical for manufacturers and others to step up when media spotlights like this present themselves. Such events can position crushing in a positive light to the public.

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