PUMPS & PIPELINES
concentrators operating continuously, generates meaningful cost savings over the full equipment lifecycle.
Naipu currently operates across 50 countries and regions, and has established local manufacturing and technical service capabilities in Latin America, with facilities and resident engineering teams in both Chile and Peru. In concludes:“ From process survey and pump selection through to installation, commissioning, routine inspection and round-the-clock technical support, Naipu provides full lifecycle service coverage.”
Atmos International- the hidden cost of small leaks in slurry transportation systems
A major market for pumps in mining is for pump stations along water and slurry pipelines. And as slurry pipelines in particular continue to extend across increasingly remote and demanding environments, mining operators face a growing challenge: identifying small leaks before they develop into major operational and environmental problems.
Atmos International, the global supplier of leak detection solutions for mining states:“ Small slurry leaks are often underestimated. Unlike catastrophic pipeline failures, minor leaks may not immediately disrupt operations or trigger emergency shutdowns. However, when left undetected over time, even relatively small releases can result in significant product loss, water wastage, environmental exposure and costly remediation work. For mining companies transporting slurry over long distances, the consequences can be particularly severe.”
It adds:“ Leak detection in slurry transportation systems is significantly more complex than in conventional oil, gas or water pipelines. Slurry mixtures behave differently under changing operating conditions due to variations in density, solids concentration, pressure and flow behaviour. Pump startups and shutdowns, transient operating conditions and elevation changes across long-distance infrastructure can all create fluctuations that make leak detection more difficult. In many cases, conventional monitoring approaches may struggle to distinguish between normal operational changes and an actual leak event.”
This creates a difficult balance for operators. Systems must be sensitive enough to identify small leaks quickly while avoiding excessive false alarms that can reduce operator confidence and disrupt operations.
The challenge becomes even greater as slurry pipelines increase in length. Many mining operations now rely on infrastructure extending hundreds of kilometres between mine sites, processing facilities and ports. These pipelines frequently cross isolated terrain where manual inspection is difficult, response times are longer and visibility is limited.
The financial impact of a slurry leak is often determined less by the size of the leak itself and more by how long it remains undetected.
A small leak over several hours or days can result in substantial product losses and water loss before operators become aware of the issue. Cleanup operations in remote regions can also be logistically difficult and expensive, particularly where access to infrastructure is limited.
Atmos:“ Environmental consequences further increase the operational risk. Slurry releases can impact surrounding land, waterways and local ecosystems, placing additional pressure on mining companies already operating under growing public scrutiny and environmental, social and governance( ESG) expectations.”
Beyond the direct costs, it says leaks can also affect production continuity. Unplanned shutdowns, maintenance interventions and operational uncertainty all contribute to reduced efficiency across the wider operation.
“ As mining operations become more digitally connected, operators are increasingly adopting advanced leak detection technologies to improve pipeline visibility and response times. Modern realtime systems are capable of continuously monitoring hydraulic behaviour across the pipeline network, helping operators detect abnormal conditions earlier and with greater confidence. Improvements in computational modeling and transient analysis are also helping reduce false alarms while maintaining the sensitivity required to identify small leak events.”
For long-distance slurry transportation systems, Atmos says this level of operational visibility is becoming increasingly important. Early leak detection can help operators reduce spill volumes, minimise environmental impact, improve response times and maintain confidence in critical infrastructure.
It concludes:“ As slurry pipelines continue to play a larger role in global mining operations, the ability to detect leaks quickly and accurately is becoming an operational necessity rather than simply a compliance requirement. For mining operators, the focus is no longer only on identifying major failures. Increasingly, attention is turning toward reducing uncertainty, improving operational resilience and addressing small leak events before they escalate into larger operational and environmental challenges.”
For long-distance slurry transportation systems, Atmos says a high level of operational visibility is becoming increasingly important
62 International Mining | JUNE 2026