Which conveyor type is generally NOT recommended for highly abrasive bulk materials due to rapid wear and maintenance concerns?

Introduction / Context:
Abrasive materials (e.g., sharp ores, silica sand) erode contact surfaces. Conveyor selection must consider wear life and downtime.

Concept / Approach:
Fabric belts and even many rubber compounds wear quickly under abrasion, especially at loading points and along idlers. Apron (metal pan) and heavy chain/flight conveyors are far more wear-resistant and are typical in quarries and sinter plants. While belts can be engineered with abrasion-resistant covers, for very abrasive duties they are still less robust and often uneconomic versus aprons or drag chains.

Final Answer:
Belt conveyor