WATER MANAGEMENT


access, quality, use and environmental impact continue to directly aff ect the ability of the industry to operate worldwide. Indeed, it states: “Water usage and management is the most important concern among all stakeholder groups in Europe and Latin America.” Yet despite these challenges, mine operators face ever-increasing obligations to reduce water consumption and operate within a framework that cuts overall environmental and water footprints. T e importance of water cannot be


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underestimated, and consequently all mines must carefully assess the impact of mining on local and regional water quantity and quality in order to retain a social licence to operate. Best practice water management is the new trend that defi nes credibility for the mining industry while negating the potential impact of additional costs.


Less water equals fewer costs To increase production and, at the same time, minimise rising costs, companies need to adopt new approaches, which means optimising their mining procedures. T e less time a mine requires to pump, add or remove water in the course of the process usually translates into reduced operating costs. However, the taut relationship between maintaining a reliable supply of water to support mineral processing, and using as little as possible in order to have the smallest volume on hand at any time, means that mine water inventories must be managed carefully. Here pumps have a vital role to play, and peristaltic pumps specifi cally can be considered water-saving devices, not simply because they can accommodate


he 2015 Annual Review by ICMM, the Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry (CWiMi) suggested that water


very high solids-content materials found commonly in mining operations, but because they do not require gland water, thus eliminating the requirements to either treat process wastewater or provide pump service water. Pumps such as these can play a key role in new management trends such as water balance modelling. Water is obviously essential for mining operations, but when the quantity of water inventory at the mine is undesirable, it can be a considerable liability.


All peristaltic pumps supplied by


Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group can be considered as inherent metering pumps off ering repeatability of 99.5%. Furthermore, many models include integral digital drives with Profi bus or SCADA control. Easy system integration with new or existing controls is coupled with operator friendly use. T ere is no need for separate VFDs or complex control devices, while a NEMA 4X corrosion resistant enclosure suits arduous mining environments. Bredel hose pumps, for instance, accommodate continuous fl ow rates up to 80m³/hr and are extremely durable (pressures up to 16 bar). T ere are no internal universal joints, valves, dead corners or glands to impede fl ow, and they are reversible for back-fl ushing.


Thicker fl ows


Although one main goal of mine operators is to use less water in the transportation process, doing so creates thicker, more paste-like slurries. Hence, the pump and hose (and other associated infrastructure) must be designed to handle thicker fl ows. Bredel high-pressure pumps can handle undiluted tailings and thickener underfl ow up to 80% solids. No seal water fl ush systems, strainers, dampeners, in-line check valves, run-dry protection devices or other ancillary equipment is needed. T e entire family of pumps are self-


priming to 9m, can run dry safely and can meter accurately to ±1%. T e upshot is that Bredel hose pumps have become fi rst choice in mines throughout the world for a wide range of applications such as pumping shear sensitive polymers for fl occulation, abrasive lime slurries for pH control, or corrosive chemicals such as cyanide for gold recovery.


High solids content Although pumping applications in the mining sector frequently involve abrasive, corrosive, shear sensitive and viscous liquid products, solids present the real challenge for pumps. Furthermore, solids such as rocks, sand and ore comprise diff erent mineral contents and pump systems must be able to accommodate such variations. Mining slurries often feature sub-


micron solid contents in excess of 80% by weight, with specifi c gravity often greater than 2.0. T ese factors make correct pump specifi cation vital. In addition to off ering abrasion resistant slurry pumping performance in arduous conditions for extended periods, the selected pump must be capable of high operating pressures and fl ow rates to ensure a smooth liquid passage and deny the opportunity for the product to settle. Other required features should


include repeatable and reliable delivery performance, self-priming functionality, adaptability to process variations, and low and easy maintenance. However, with so many pump types available it is little wonder mines frequently end up employing pumps unsuitable for the task in hand. Ultimately this leads to ineffi ciency and increased costs, typically due to excessive wear and downtime.


Downtime is expensive Although centrifugal and diaphragm pumps have traditionally dominated the mining sector, they are not


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