WATER MANAGEMENT teams . As dewatering pumps is Sykes primary focus we understand what is required from a dewatering pump when it comes down to form fit and function . The ability to offer our pumps in various build specifications such as our BR – Basic Range , SR – Standard Range , PR Premium Range , SW - Sewage Range – YR – Yakka Range , AR – Acoustic Range , ER – Electric Range and HR – Hydraulic Range caters for all industries that require dewatering pumps . Having a full range of pumps that cover Low Head , Medium Head , High Head and Extra High Head ensures we have a pump to suit your dewatering needs .
Q If you were to select the mining companies and contractors top factors in their decision making when selecting pump solutions , what would they be and why ? A Experience in pump design and expertise to tailor solutions , as no mine is identical and they often have bespoke requirements . But in general they look for reputation in the industry and proven ability to deliver ; product range specialisation ; quality of product ; material options ; diversity of product range ; spare part aftermarket and service support ; and having locations and a distribution network worldwide .
Q Mines have a choice in pump supplier - what are the Sykes differentiators - the fundamental pump design , quality of materials , market experience , service offering , or a combination of these ? A Sykes have been manufacturing and supplying dewatering pumps and solutions since 1967 . Our designs and innovation have stood the test of time and continue to lead the industry . When contractors and mine sites are looking for a pump they ask for a Sykes pump . We will engineer bespoke solutions and continue to innovate . A great recent example is the supply of containerised Variable Speed Drive ( VSD ) pumps to a remote iron ore mine site located in the Pilbara region in Australia
phases of the project including process , mechanical , and commissioning engineers , who provided oversight during the installation phase and ensured the plant was successfully installed and commissioned .
BQE Water tackling cyanide and selenium
IM also spoke to David Kratochvil , BQE Water President & CEO . Historically , mining projects using cyanide have either been permitted as zero liquid discharge or used large tailings ponds for natural degradation and / or dilution of residual cyanide prior to discharge into the environment . Kratochvil says this practice is changing as new that operates in extreme weather conditions . A key of the Sykes design is its exceptional shaft stiffness . With a stiffness ratio of 0.28 , far surpassing the industry standard of 1.5 to 2.5 , it ensures resilience against bending , even when operating outside designed parameters . This robustness is crucial , considering the varied and often demanding applications in mining environments . The ratio , calculated as L3 / D4 ( length from front bearing to impeller centre line over shaft diameter ), epitomises the pump ’ s engineering excellence , aligning with standards used in highly demanding applications . The Sykes pump adaptability is further evidenced by its range of material options . The standard configuration includes 316 SS impeller , wear plates and SG Iron volute , priming tee , and NRV . Additional options like Full 316 SS , CS340 , CS500 , H7A SS , CD4MCU , SAF2205 , and SAF2507 cater to varied operational environments , ensuring durability and performance in diverse mining conditions . All Sykes pump models incorporate front and rear wear plates , capable of handling silt and large solids which is crucial for mining operations where water is rarely clean . Pumping solids laden liquids means pumps can be subjected to wear and loss of efficiency because of this . Sykes unique feature of removeable shims or gaskets between the front adaptor plate and the casing allows for up to 5 mm of clearance adjustment between the impeller and wear plate . Such adjustability negates the need for major overhauls , enabling quick and efficient maintenance to regain pump efficiency . Sykes Pumps are supported with parts , commissioning , training and service worldwide through our own service centres and our dealer network . This global footprint is crucial for providing timely and effective solutions , regardless of the mine location . Since becoming part of the Atlas Copco Group in December 2023 , Sykes ’ ability to service its global customers has expanded even further .
mines need to reduce their footprint , stop relying on dilution , and minimise risks exacerbated by severe and difficult to predict climate .
“ Consequently , conventional cyanide destruction plants producing 0.5 to 50 mg / L residual cyanide effluents are not always an option anymore . Instead , a new generation of treatment systems capable of treating leach solution for direct environmental discharge with residual cyanide below 20 ppb and all other constituents at non-toxic levels are needed .”
Through rigorous testing and treatment process evaluation for a recent greenfield project , BQE Water developed and is implementing an ion exchange system to meet the end-of-pipe total
cyanide target of < 10 ppb . In this system , most of the removed cyanide is recycled back to the metallurgical process . “ The ability to implement treatment ahead of the actual need is key . In stark contrast to this , BQE was retained to provide emergency response treatment services involving a fast-tracked temporary system to turn cyanide heap leach solution into nontoxic water for environmental discharge . The system combines the site ’ s equipment not designed for the intended purpose , with off-the-shelf rental equipment . While the effluent discharge criteria are similar in both projects , the inability to plan caused the cost of the temporary system to escalate such that in less than a year , the cost of the emergency response exceeded the estimated ‘ life cycle ’ cost of the planned treatment expected to operate for decades .”
In addition , while the use of reverse osmosis in the temporary system lowered the concentrations of most toxicants below the respective discharge limits , meeting effluent toxicity criteria consistently proved to be complex . “ The industry can leverage BQE ’ s expertise and experience from these two projects to holistically assess the best options for minimising risks and costs of managing water and cyanide throughout the project life cycle .”
He also says that the industry wide adoption of BQE ’ s disruptive non-biological selenate removal technology , Selen-IX™ , continues with a fifth plant built in less than four years . The technology removes selenium below 1 ppb and produces stable solid residue suitable for re-use . Concurrently , new semi-passive biological systems were installed at other sites . Kratochvil : “ However , unlike with Selen-IX , the biological systems lack proof of the long-term stability of selenium solids trapped inside these systems which are designed to remove selenium from water initially but eventually turn into selenium solids waste storage repositories in perpetuity . Regulators assessing environmental risks now consider time horizons of hundreds of years prior to issuing approvals and / or setting bonds .”
To help clients better understand long-term risks associated with selenium re-dissolution from semi-passive systems , BQE Water completed a study and published a peerreviewed article identifying biochemical pathways towards selenium re-mobilisation . The empirical evidence of selenium re-dissolution was subsequently obtained using selenium biosolids from an active biological treatment system . “ Selecting the best solution for managing selenium in mining projects can be a complex task and requires access to state-of-the art research data and technology . The ability of Selen-IX to eliminate concerns about long-term solids stability is an important consideration .”
IM
MARCH 2025 | International Mining 83