PASTE & TAILINGS
One of two of Diemme ME2000F7 filter presses installed in Western Australia to process titanium oxide tailings
online platform, requiring a score of 85 % or more- then later a practical hands on test supervised by one of Diemme’ s own operators.
The 30 minute theory test is based on 30 questions based on video material available in the Academy online as well as the operators manual. The idea is that the operators end up with greater knowledge and competence with the filtration equipment, and also that the client and supplier end up working more closely and along the same lines. The Diemme Trust Badge is aimed at improving system efficiency, elevating operator skills and reducing risks and strengthening collaboration. Overall, it means elevating the optimisation of Diemme’ s equipment.
Marco Roveri, Diemme Field Service Engineer then talked about developments with Diemme’ s field service excellence
offering. A major focus is to move from reactive interventions to proactive management through predictive maintenance strategies- this means reduced customer downtime, increased reliability and improved planning. Customer feedback is a key factor in improving future interventions and refining service models and service contracts. The field service team at Diemme is also working closely with the remote support team- so that they can optimise intervention through synergy and resources allocation- for example using shared data to enhance intervention quality.
As then detailed by Diemme Mechanical Engineer Marco Capra, the Diemme Academy is just one part of Diemme’ s Remote Assistance offering which is built around four key areas- fast and efficient remote support, the AIDA IIoT solution for real time monitoring and optimisation of filtration performance, a spare parts online catalogue for easy consultation and quick ordering of necessary components, and the Academy online platform for operator training.
AIDA specifically allows Diemme and its customers to make data driven decisions, allowing for more responsive support and faster problem solving. Benefits include downtime reduction, predictive and preventive maintenance, efficient procurement planning, operational cost optimisation, as well as energy and resources saving strategies. Numerous customers have benefitted and continue to benefit from AIDA – including the launch customer for the GHT5000F Domino – the world’ s largest filter press – which handles over 8,000 t / d of copper tailings.
In tailings filtration project news, a new order recently commissioned by Diemme’ s Australian business unit, involved the installation of two ME2000F7 filter presses. These units are specifically configured to process titanium oxide tailings, with an expected production capacity of approximately 160 t of dry solids per day. This new system is designed to ensure high-efficiency dewatering, contributing to the client’ s objectives in terms of operational performance and process reliability.
RAHCO designs right for tailings
IM recently caught up with Christopher Olsen, RAHCO Systems Product Manager at Virta Inc following the expansion of its tailings management capabilities with the addition of the RAHCO Mobile Stacking Conveyor( MSC). Olsen:“ Virta has strategically enhanced its portfolio with the acquisition of the RAHCO Mobile Stacking Conveyor( MSC), a specialised solution for mine tailings, heap leach, and other bulk material stacking and conveying operations. This mobile, crawler-mounted bridge conveyor features a stacking tripper that travels along its length and supports stacking capacities ranging from 800 to over 12,000 metric tons per hour. Renowned for its technical durability, the RAHCO MSC aligns seamlessly with Virta’ s core strengths in bulk material handling, systems integration, and large-scale mining infrastructure.”
With extensive expertise in conveyor technology, professional engineering, and end-to-end project execution, Olsen
GRES delivers major paste plant for Liontown
Liontown Resources recently executed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction( EPC) contract with GR Engineering Services( GRES) for the delivery and commissioning of a paste plant facility to support the hard rock lithium underground mining operations at Kathleen Valley in WA.
The Kathleen Valley Paste Plant( KVPP) was completed by GRES in December 2024 and is designed to operate under differing circuit configurations. The plant consists of dual train filtration, mixing, binder storage, dosing and paste pumping, each independent train is sized to produce 160 m 3 / h of paste or dry tails stack at 151 t / h. The KVPP is initially planned to operate at 3 Mt / y. However, designed in is the ability to accommodate an increase in throughput at the Lithium concentrator to a future 4 Mt / y.
Delivery of cemented paste fill is an integral part of the underground mining cycle at Kathleen Valley, maximising recovery of the underground orebody and planned production rates, as well as reducing the size of the surface tailings dam that would otherwise be required. The Paste Plant has also been designed to facilitate dry stacking and water recovery, further increasing the amount of recycled water the site utilises.
The EPC was a standalone project, with the second train brought forward to provide latent capacity to derisk underground mining operations, enable water recovery and to capture cost economies associated with constructing the two trains together. The project was valued at approximately A $ 71 million.
The Kathleen Valley Paste Plant
24 International Mining | JUNE 2025