MATERIALS HANDLING
may ordinarily be missed; in addition to designing and developing the machinery, they’ve seen it tested and operated in a multitude of applications and environments. Miners are increasingly leveraging this knowledge to optimise their processes, maximise equipment performance and keep their people safe. Oyu Tolgoi, a gold-copper mine in
Mongolia, has been working with Weir Minerals for several years in various capacities, including using its Linatex rubber to protect its Cavex hydrocyclone cluster underflow launder. In this application, oversized particles can range from 3mm up to 50mm in diameter and can include scat and other foreign material. Tis material is forced into the underflow launder, which is a common high wear zone in most concentrator plants.
DETERMINING THE PROBLEM Te Weir Minerals team noticed repeat orders for rubber lining patch repair, the normal method for repairing high wear parts of the plant. Te installed rubber was the right choice of material, but it was wearing out quickly in certain areas. Te launders were slowly
degrading because of the patchwork style maintenance that had been undertaken in the past. With an increase in tonnage through the plant, Oyu Tolgoi needed to overcome the declining condition of the clusters to reduce its maintenance costs. Furthermore, health and safety guidelines meant the need to reduce the at-risk work by the rubber liners at every shutdown patching the worn areas using solvent based adhesives.
DEVELOPING THE IDEAL SOLUTION A six-month preliminary trial using bolt in, steel backed, moulded Linatex panels proved successful in preventing the worst of the wear on the launders – it lasted beyond the initial trial by over 12 months.
Te OEM and miner determined that the bolt-in panels offered a considerable improvement over standard rubber lining in this application. Te panels can be installed during routine maintenance in a single 12-hour shift, reducing the time necessary for the maintenance team to spend in a confined space, which is a hazardous and potentially dangerous work environment.
Linatex rubber protects mining equipment from abrasion and corrosion
A SATISIFED CUSTOMER “It improved safety significantly. We basically had to go into the underflow tank every five weeks. Now we don’t even go for another 32 weeks. It reduces material costs associated with changing out too frequently. On the cost side, most importantly, it enabled us to produce more copper,” details Ankhbayar Enkhsaikhan, Oyu Tolgoi’s maintenance manager. “Tese are the sorts of solutions we are looking for to enable us to operate safer and obtain the desired throughputs on the mine,” he adds. Te bolt-in panels were replaced without the use of chemicals and adhesives, which was another important factor in reducing the risk to workers. Moreover, the panels are made from 25mm Linatex rubber sheets with a 6mm steel backing, which is twice as thick as standard rubber lining but still below the stipulated weight limit. All of the panels in the hydrocyclone clusters were installed a day earlier than expected. Te clusters were put back online within minutes and no problems occurred once the panels were in place. Te panels decreased maintenance downtime and eliminated the need for the small patch repairs. Ultimately, miners are starting
to recognise that decisions that may have been previously made solely for commercial reasons actually have ramifications in terms of health and safety. It is just one of the ways a safety- first attitude is changing the mining industry.
Cavex hydrocyclone cluster on site at Oyu Tolgoi mine, Mongolia
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www.engineerlive.com
Mark Doyle is with Weir Minerals.
www.linatex.weir
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