Category: Pumping and Dewatering Solutions

Handling highly corrosive acid liquids on mine sites is not confined to gold, zinc, copper or nickel processing. Even coal mines, both underground and open cut, often have the same problems. Whether the application is dewatering, or a more complex leachate treatment involving filtrate systems, cast iron and even low grade stainless steel pumps will be subject to severe corrosion. Australian Pumps has confronted this issue by developing a range of 316 cast stainless steel self priming pumps, in diesel engine or electric motor drive configurations. Corrosion too common Since introducing the range, Aussie Pumps has seen a ready acceptance of the Aussie GMP “X” stainless steel pumps for mining applications. In highly corrosive locations, 316 stainless components with Viton…

We should all congratulate the new Federal Government on being able to produce their first budget with a surplus. The first in a decade! If you saw the budget speech on television you would see very pleased looking people taking credit for that turnaround. What we missed out on seeing was details of exactly how it was achieved, particularly the part that our industry, Mining, played in this reversal of fortune. Of course, at the end of Covid and prices for other commodities, including agricultural, play a part in this as well. Shortly after the budget was produced, we also see the Western Australian Government coming up with a $4B surplus. Again, looking very pleased with themselves. How did they…

KSB has a long history of innovation from proprietary alloys to custom pump solutions and new pump technology for new applications. Now, with the GIW® WBC-54 Expeller pump, KSB is introducing innovative, sustainable solutions for tailings management. Business Development Manager, Mollie Timmerman has the latest on the WBC-54 Expeller. Jumping right in, what’s your “elevator pitch” for the WBC-54 Expeller? KSB has a tailored GIW® pump solution for tailings applications that does not require gland water. Being able to eliminate gland water can save costs and reduce complexity, and it helps mines improve water conservation. How did the WBC-54 Expeller pump evolve? Several years ago, an existing customer approached us to request a pump for use on a new tailings…

Pumps play an integral role in mineral processing plants, essential in moving material from one point to another. In the world of hard rock mining, the crucial job of pumping large amounts of solids or particles from one location to another is done with the aid of water or other solutions. The speed, efficiency and reliability of pumps are paramount to the smooth running of multiple, interconnected systems at an operation. A whole host of factors determine pump selection and system design at a mine site, including client preferences, site applications, nature of the solids and fluids, distance, height and gradient, to name but a few. Robust pumps are stable while in use, discharge solids properly and are easy to…

THESE are challenging times, as the world comes to grips with the effects of COVID-19. Every resource sector has been affected, but most companies are making efforts to consolidate and prepare themselves for the recovery phase that will occur once the catastrophe has passed. Australian Mining Review interviewed Aussie Pumps managing director, Warwick Lorenz, about how he views the situation. Q: What’s the connection between mining and this horrific pandemic? A :I haven’t heard of anybody blaming the mining industry for the coronavirus. No doubt sooner or later, somebody from a new age political party will find a way to make a connection, especially if it has something to do with coal. However, mining does have a very strong connection,…

GLOBAL Pumps’ new mechanical seal, the SlurryPro Elite, is a completely flushless seal that doesn’t require any form of seal water to stay lubricated. Based in South Australia, the company supplies mines and industry around the world with innovative pumping technology. Its new seal, the SlurryPro Elite, can be retrofitted into all existing pumps and will eliminate extraneous gland water pumps, water injecting, contaminated water storage and constant management issues The addition of the seal will also reduce unplanned downtime of the slurry pumping process on sites. The secret to the design is explained by Global Pumps Sales Director  Darren Seeley. “A patented conical design, engineered in Italy, circulates the slurry around the seal, and uses the slurry itself as…

General Pump Company has a range of submersible pumps for the harshest conditions. GENERAL Pump Company is the leading Australian-owned, commercial and industrial pump provider. Family-owned and managed, the business has grown extensively over more than four decades from a small pump supplier in Sydney to a company that services a wide range of clients all over the world. General Pumps sales manager, Tim Crutcher, is proud of the products the company has developed. “Our class-leading Ultraflow products offer solutions for a broad range of pumping problems,” Mr Crutcher said. “From very large high flow submersible pumps, heavy-duty dewatering submersible pumps to vortex, pressure and grinder pumps, we provide the most comprehensive range of submersible pumps available.” The company’s active…

BLUE Hire is a pump hire and project specialist, servicing the needs of industry, mining, marine and agriculture throughout WA. With customised pump solutions from construction standpipes to diesel-driven stainless-steel acid pumps, the company has all the heavy-duty equipment you need. Blue Hire director Byron Ynema said while the company offers both diesel and electrical pump hire options, it specialises in diesel-driven stainless steel pumps suited for corrosive mining applications and environments. “Our equipment is reliable and can be adapted to any project requirements,” Mr Ynema said. “If a client has a feed pump that runs from a dam to a plant and the equipment fails, for whatever reason, we’ll come and put in machinery matched to that same duty.…

THE design of pumps and dewatering systems are a major part of mining projects but often put on the backburner and overlooked because it can be quite a daunting task – but with the right team the process can be simplified. Toolkwip marketing and product manager Jim Garrett said the company takes the stress away from dewatering projects. “We don’t pretend we know it all, but the company has been doing this for more than 25 years,” Mr Garrett said. “We work with each client to find the best pump to suit their requirements.” One of the major aspects of choosing the right pump is water quality. “It’s paramount because the water quality dictates the metallurgy that we use inside…