Mine dewatering – The Murray Engineering consultative approach

Underground mining operations present a raft of health and safety risks, from plant and equipment, toxic chemicals and flammable liquids, to airborne particles and other hazardous substances. However, excess mine wastewater and slurry build-up during mineral extraction or flooding events, is one risk that can threaten worker safety and blow out project costs if not managed effectively.

Underground wastewater comes from a variety of sources such as drilling operations, aquifer interceptions, and external weather events. For operations tasked with moving fluids from one location to another, the process of dewatering is a familiar one. It requires specialised pump systems designed for specific applications and hydraulic duties, which means selecting the right  pump is critical to productivity and profitability. There’s also the time that businesses spend chasing down multiple suppliers to fulfil the demands of a single project.

This is where Murray Engineering steps in. Headquartered in Pinjarra WA and supported by branches in Kalgoorlie, Newcastle, Sydney and Mongolia, the company has built an excellent reputation for maintenance, refurbishment, automation, manufacture, and assembly of mechanical and electrical equipment, for both local and international markets.

From a fleet of underground trucks, loaders and drills, to award winning safety systems, the company is a genuine solutions provider. But it’s the company’s dewatering capability that is changing the way companies manage their fluid transfer jobs.

One of Murray Engineering’s underground mine dewatering specialists, Tony Kersten, says their turnkey dewatering, industrial and wastewater pumping solutions are designed for the harshest mining environments.

“Our dewatering pump sets have a competitive advantage in terms of performance, maintenance and longevity,” he said. “Designed specifically for mine dewatering and backed by an experienced team, we manufacture pump sets in both metallic and non-metallic configurations. Our pumps can handle a diverse range of mining and wastewater applications.”

“To keep mining operations reliably dewatered, many factors need to be determined and carefully considered, including the total flowrate required, solids type and chemistry, temperature, static elevation and many other elements.”

This information enables us to calculate the Total Dynamic Head (m), and then the ideal pumping equipment can be selected for the specific hydraulic duty point, to ensure a successful outcome for our clients.”

Pumps that keep fluids flowing

With access to major OEM pump brands plus a comprehensive in-house pump manufacturing capability, there’s no fluid transfer job out of reach. Murray Engineering offers solutions for all applications – skid mounting of helical rotor pumps, dewatering, submersible, slurry, dosing, gear, vane, multistage, ring section, axial lift, and vertical turbines coupled with diesel or electric driven motors, valves, hoppers, control panels and pump starters, plus auditing and testing services.

Murray Engineering Pumping Systems (MEPS) are available in both abrasion-resistant centrifugal and positive displacement progressive cavity arrangements. The company’s NETZSCH helical rotor pumps are built for heavy-duty dewatering applications in mines. A base MEPS unit houses a tank, progressing cavity pump, inspection ladder and walkway, valves, and piping all mounted on a galvanized or painted steel skid. The unit may also include  a  starter panel, and an integrated instrumentation panel that automatically operates the pump system.

Unlike other pump sets on the market, Netzsch helical rotor pumps have a unique design that incorporates a slurry agitation chamber to keep solids in suspension. This provides a uniform feed into the stator and prevents solids accumulation in the mechanical seal mitigating premature wear and inadequate lubrication on the seal.

With a seven percent larger cavity volume than other brands, the helical rotor pump can run slower with the same flow . This significantly increases the run life of the rotor and stator.

The larger cavity provides a longer sealing line between the rotor and stator, and increases longevity in these components, further reducing the maintenance required over the life of the pump. Additionally, the ratio between the length and height of the pitch has been engineered for optimal performance.

NETSCH Australia managing director Rafael Navarrete, highlighted the importance of efficiency and how their pumps help achieve higher torque for increased pump flow.

“The drive structure of the rotor and stator assembly, which includes a solid stainless-steel coupling rod and joints, transmits the required torque from the pump drive through to the rotor with minimal losses resulting in improved efficiency.

“Each pump uses an individual drivetrain design that delivers higher efficiency. The bearing housing (each pump size has its own) is built to handle the radial and axial forces within the pump aligned to the maximum duties the pump is rated to. Another feature that supports higher pump performance includes the conical-shaped stator entrance that improves fluid flow and reduces NPSHr. The Netzsch Helical Rotor range has an industry-leading capability of up to 150 litres per second and 110 bar or 1100m metres total dynamic head. There is a pump to suit every application.”

With pumping specialist teams located in Pinjarra, Kalgoorlie, Newcastle, and Sydney you can be assured your pumping requirements are covered Australia-wide. You will also benefit from access to an in-house team of Electricians, HD Fitters and Boilermakers coupled with world-class ISO and CC3 certified service facilities, and fully equipped service vehicles for all onsite and offsite pumping needs.

For more information, visit www.murrayengineering.com.au/