MINING PUMPS
Xylem’s Godwin Dri-Prime self-priming pumps
come with integrated remote monitoring and
controls for complete visibility of operations,
the company says
underground coal mine that was capable of
handling water with a high percentage of solids.
This system fitted into a tight space and delivered
a reliable and cost-effective solution for water
management at the mine site, according to
Parmar.
The team managed to fit multiple pumps into a
space that had a ceiling height of less than 8 ft
(2.4 m) and a narrow 20 ft (6.1 m) shaft span.
Within these constraints, they devised a
customised dewatering solution that supported
the production of nearly 3 Mt/y of mediumsulphur
coal, according to Parmar.
Several years since installation, the dewatering
solution’s “reliability and efficiency has stood the
test of time, saving many man hours in pump
supervision and maintenance”, he said.
The company is also working with Boliden,
based in Sweden, on its plans to further develop
automation in its mines, with the long-term goal
to streamline dewatering and the overall mining
process so that production can continue 24/7, all
year round, Parmar said.
Going with the flow
Water management is particularly important at
tailings dams. These facilities hold not only huge
amounts of water but also have inherent
geotechnical risks to consider.
This is where simulation and analysis software,
such as Applied Flow Technology’s AFT Impulse,
can prove useful.
Stone Oil & Gas recently used AFT Impulse to
model and analyse barge discharge pumping
capacity at a tailings management facility (TMF)
using booster pumps.
Rupesh Soni, a Senior Process Engineer for
Stone Oil & Gas, was asked to design and size a
new booster pump station on a plant site to
increase peak pumping capacity at a TMF from
4,650 m 3 /h to 6,000 m 3 /h.
It was imperative to regulate liquid levels
during cyclones and rainy seasons at the TMF
ponds to avoid environmental contamination.
To manage the overall water level at this facility,
excess process water (such as tailings run-off or
rainwater) is pumped via a 14.6 km pipeline from
the TMF to an ocean outfall diffuser.
The existing system consisted of a floating
pump barge located in the TMF South Basin,
which had three barge pumps connected in
parallel. The original design was rated for 4,000
m 3 /h through the pipeline, which culminates in a
100-diffuser port marine outfall to drain excess
water.
As a precautionary measure to meet flow
demand, the pipeline tied into six diesel pumps
located 2,000 m downstream of the barge pumps
and 500 m upstream of the system’s valve station.
The valve station is the highest point in the
system, raising potential hydraulic gradeline (HGL)
concerns that flow may not continue downstream
as intended, according to AFT.
COUNT ON GIW
FOR RELIABLE
PERFORMANCE.
GIW® pumps deliver reliable performance in
the most aggressive slurries.
GIW Industries is built tough too. We are more committed than ever
to providing our partners with an uninterrupted supply of pumps and
parts. We will stop at nothing to ensure the success of your operation.
Learn more at www.giwminerals.com
JUNE 2020 | International Mining 49