Weir’s new backfill technology
Weir is collaborating with German company Schwing Stetter to develop an unrivalled hydraulic piston pump for backfill pumping applications.
As part of this collaboration, Weir and Schwing are working together to share product and application knowledge to enhance the technology and deliver a solution to customers.
Mine backfilling can alleviate or resolve the geotechnical and environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges presented by large tailings storage facilities.
Weir reported a growing demand for higher capacity pumps in line with industry trends shifting towards higher production rates and lower ore grades which, by extension, is resulting in increased tailings volumes.
As many above ground tailings storage facilities (TSFs) are reaching their capacity, operators are combining both backfilling and surface storage to manage their tailings burden.
Miners are beginning to incorporate backfilling into the early stages of mine designs as an opportunity to not only improve recovery but also alleviate some of the pressures associated with surface tailings storage.
There are typically two types of pumps used for backfilling applications — hydraulic driven piston-pumps and piston diaphragm pumps.
Hydraulic piston pumps are traditionally used in concrete pumping applications but recently they’ve been adopted by the mining industry for backfill, which typically includes a cement binder, pumping solutions.
Selecting the wrong technology for mine backfill applications reduces efficiency, increases wear and operating expenses and can lead to catastrophic failure.
Weir is currently the only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that has both pump options in its portfolio, meaning it can tailor solutions to the customer’s specific requirements.
Schwing Stetter has a long history of designing and manufacturing hydraulic piston pumps for concrete pumping.
Weir has mining expertise and experience in backfilling, as well as a range of pumps that have a proven track record of successful performance in arduous applications.
The first projects are now being executed under this agreement and Weir reports the pumps are performing well.
