PUMPS AND PIPELINES
Flowing in the right direction
Sustainability , efficiency and TCO are just some of the criteria mining companies are assessing when making mining pump investment decisions . Dan Gleeson evaluates what some of the major players are offering the market on these three fronts
As the search for more minerals and metals takes extractive companies to new or relatively underexplored countries and locations , the need increases for effective pumping and piping equipment for dewatering and mineral processing applications .
Whether it is the tropical conditions of the Central Americas , altitude and water shortages in Chile or Peru , or high water tables in other locales , there are always changing requirements when it comes to moving water , liquid , waste or concentrates .
As equipment makers continue to develop new techniques and products to tackle these individual challenges , the dewatering market – fortunately for these equipment makers – is slowly shifting away from a pure capital expenditure point of view to an increasingly operating expenditure perspective , according to Brett Lewis , Mining Manager at KSB Australia . “ This is especially true for the large mines that realise that poorly designed equipment that regularly fails causes a significant increase in replacement and servicing cost ,” Lewis said .
Such a refocus has coincided with major mining companies committing to carbon-neutral targets over the next few decades , complemented by moves away from the use of wet tailings dams and a general rationalisation of freshwater use .
All this means the selection of high efficiency pumping and piping , with long lasting and environmentally sound wear parts , is growing in importance .
Comprehensive offering
Metso Outotec says it is equipped for such a change with a comprehensive pumping and piping offering and industry-leading Science Based Targets emissions goals .
The Finland-based company has committed to reducing its production-based CO 2 emissions by 50 % by 2030 , cutting its logistics emissions by 20 % by 2025 and reducing its “ product use phase ” emissions by 20 % by 2025 – all from a 2019 baseline . The company is also reorienting its supplier spend , with an aim for 30 % of this outlay to be with partners who have also set a
KSB Brazil ’ s solution for tackling rising water levels at Minas Gerais ’ iron ore mines is a floating station fitted with KSB vertical turbine B pumps positioned over a pontoon
Science Based Targets emission goal by 2025 . Over 90 % of its R & D projects are set to have a target related to energy , emissions or water , too .
Last year ’ s merger with fellow mineral processing company Outotec not only solidified this sustainability drive , but also opened the opportunity for the delivery of more integrated plant solutions , according to Evert Lessing , Vice President of Engineering for Pumps .
“ The strength of the combined grinding offering of Metso and Outotec and the commanding position of Outotec in the flotation and filtration market has made us , as Metso Outotec , a formidable force in the mineral processing arena ,” he told IM .
In the pumps business area , specifically , Lessing said the company had seen a “ very healthy ” increase in sales based on “ pull through ” from these integrated projects across the Metso and Outotec bases .
“ In addition , what I really think has set Metso Outotec apart is the comprehensive automation product offering ( sensors , advanced process control and analysers ) within the group ,” Lessing said , who said the company has commenced “ serious collaboration ” in this area
JUNE 2021 | International Mining 49