WATER MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT
and the impact of temperature changes . Furthermore , passive treatment is a holistic approach for water management , that is site specific and is sustainable .”
DELKOR on dewatering
The installation of a DELKOR Paste Thickener to treat iron ore tailings at a plant in India has resulted in significantly reduced water usage , which , in turn , results in environmental benefits for a water-stressed country . The 15 m diameter paste thickener was ordered to increase water recovery within the process plant and increase the life of the existing tailings dam by pumping lesser amount of slurry to it .
Previously , using a conventional thickener , the mine pumped an underflow with 20-25 % ( w / w ) solids directly to the tailings dam , leading to a high loss of water . With the installation of the paste thickener , which was ordered in 2021 and commissioned in 2022 , the solids in the underflow have increased to 50-55 % ( w / w ), increasing the process water recovery to 78-83 % within the plant . This , in turn , has resulted in a significant reduction in the plant ’ s freshwater intake . There has also been a significant reduction in the drying time required by the discharged paste in the tailings dam , which in turn has increased the life span of the tailings dam .
The scope of work covered design , engineering , fabrication and supply of the paste thickener , featuring a forced dilution feed well , with sheer thinning system . It also included design and engineering of the tailings disposal system , featuring a paste pumping system with multiple discharge points for uniform spread inside the tailings dam , plus engineering of ancillary equipment .
“ DELKOR has been proudly associated with this client for nearly 20 years , having previously supplied 16 high-rate thickeners , with diameters ranging from 1 m to 65 m ,” says Indu Bhushan Jha , DELKOR Managing Director . “ We appreciate the ongoing loyalty of such a major steel manufacturer and commend our DELKOR team for providing the quality of service and technologies that have resulted in our client continuing to support us .”
Rajiv Krishnamurthy , DELKOR Executive Director , told IM : “ DELKOR , our TAKRAF Group brand focused on liquid / solid separation , is a leader in dewatering technology for the minerals processing industry . Our portfolio of dewatering solutions includes thickeners , horizontal vacuum belt filters ( HBFs ), and filter presses . These solutions significantly increase water recovery within a plant , which in turn significantly reduces a plant ' s dependence on fresh water supply . Sustainable water management , together with safety , are increasingly important topics for mining operations , investors and stakeholders around the world ; especially in areas where water conservation is critical . With a focus on sustainability , our DELKOR equipment ensures highly efficient and efficient liquid / solid separation and wet processing solutions . In fact , our Group is also ideally positioned to support our clients towards the next significant step in the mining industry ’ s move towards greater environmental sustainability - the transition from wet to dry tailings deposits . This is an area in which the combined strengths of our TAKRAF and DELKOR portfolios will provide for fully integrated solutions that make the difference .”
FLSmidth and dry processing for water savings
Oman-based mining company Vulcan Pelletizing recently placed an order for a range of FLSmidth mineral processing technologies to be installed at their upcoming pelletisation plant . The technologies will both reduce water usage and drive operational efficiency . With water being a scarce resource in the Middle East , dry grinding is well-suited to minimise its consumption as well as drive operational efficiency when downstream processing does not require water .
FLSmidth has a long-standing history in supplying dry grinding solutions and has a market-leading position with over 80 sites operating more than 150 FLSmidth dry grinding mills and air separators on various ores , including gold , nickel , lead , zinc , phosphate and iron ore . Its dry grinding portfolio was further strengthened through the Mining Technologies acquisition .
Reducing water is a key focus area for this customer and one of the key reasons FLSmidth says for having chosen its well-proven , dry grinding technologies . This order includes the delivery of two dry grinding mills , a wet grinding ball mill as well as high efficiency air separators , hydrocyclones and pumps . The equipment is due to be delivered during 2025 . “ Sustainable mining is not only a matter of reducing CO 2 emissions .
FLS options for dry grinding include Vertical Roller Mills
Reducing water usage in mineral processing stands at the forefront of technologies requested by miners , particularly in water stressed regions and where downstream processing also is dry . This order confirms both our broad , marketleading position within dry grinding as well as supports our MissionZero ambition ,” comments Mikko Keto , CEO at FLSmidth .
Sykes launches XH250 dewatering pump aimed at mining
Sykes Group , a leading name in the realm of dewatering pump solutions , has recently launched its latest innovation , the Sykes / Primax XH250 for mining and quarry applications . The XH250 it says “ is set to revolutionise dewatering operations in these sectors , offering a reliable solution for operations that are continually expanding , reaching greater depths and widths .”
The pump , which complements Sykes ’ existing range of Extra High Head pumps , delivers higher heads and flow rates than its predecessors to ensure consistent equipment access to all areas of mining and quarry sites , the company says .
Key features of the Sykes XH250 as stated by the company include : n Versatile drive options : The XH250 is available in both diesel- and electric-drive configurations , and it can be mounted on skids , trailers , or pontoons ; n Impressive performance : The XH250 is engineered to deliver 200 litres / second at 220 m or 250 litres / second at 200 m , ensuring reliable and efficient dewatering ; n Innovative pump design : The pump ’ s design incorporates several key features to enhance its longevity and performance , including extraordinary shaft stiffness ratios , multiple priming options , advanced bearing arrangements and exceptional sealing solutions ; n Front and rear wear plates : Sykes Pumps ’ inclusion of wear plates offers the ability to make fine adjustments to the impeller-wear plate clearance , enabling customers to restore pump efficiency without the need for extensive overhauls ; n Material options : the Sykes XH250 is available with various material options to suit specific applications , including 316 SS Impeller , wear plates , and SG iron Volute , among others . Other options are Full 316 SS , CS340 , CS500 , CD4MCU , H7A SS , CD4MCU , SAF2205 and SAF2507 . The company concluded : “ The Sykes XH250 is a testament to our commitment to providing efficient and reliable dewatering solutions for the mining and quarry industries .” Sykes Group recently became part of the Atlas Copco Group Power and Flow Division . In addition to the XH250 , Sykes told IM that it has many cases of
20 International Mining | MARCH 2024