PASTE & TAILINGS
applications.
As part of this collaboration, Weir and Schwing are working together to share product and application knowledge, which is then, in turn, used to enhance the technology and, ultimately, deliver an unrivalled hydraulic piston pump to its backfill customers.
The first projects are now being executed under this collaborative agreement and the pumps are performing well.
Weir adds:“ The mining industry, particularly when it comes to tailings, is becoming more collaborative; there seems to be an understanding that the challenges it’ s facing are significant and the best, most effective way to overcome these is by working together. This is something that Weir has taken very seriously. Weir is also collaborating with partners to integrate upstream systems, which means that its customers can deal with the mixing and pumping systems together, rather than separately, which is what has typically happened in the past. Indeed, Weir’ s customers are increasingly leveraging the OEM’ s expertise to provide them with more holistic, integrated solutions, rather than simply supplying the pump.”
Weir says it can take care of everything below the hopper – ie the piping, the WARMAN ® centrifugal charge pump if required, the pumping system, the Delta Industrial™ valves, etc – which ensures the pump is being properly fed and, ultimately, delivers a more efficient solution.
“ This is, in many ways, just an extension of the changing attitudes and approaches to tailings management. It’ s a challenge that can’ t be ignored; instead, miners increasingly understand that planning for future challenges and constraints ultimately reduces costs over the LOM( life of mine) – and backfill typifies this. As the last part of the mining cycle, it has historically been often overlooked or received less attention than other parts of mine design. However, miners are starting to realise that, if backfill is incorporated into the early stages of the mine design, it can be an opportunity to not only improve recovery, but also alleviate some of the pressures associated with surface tailings storage.”
Rosh Pinah Zinc commissions new paste backfill plant
Moving to real project developments, and Rosh Pinah Zinc( RPZ) and Appian Capital Advisory Ltd recently announced the commissioning of the new paste fill plant at RPZ in Namibia, a critical component of the RP2.0 expansion project. This is the first commissioned paste backfill operation in Namibia and it will reduce mining dilution, decrease surface tailings, and improve ore
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recovery. The RP2.0 expansion project is now over 85 % complete, on schedule, and on budget. It will nearly double RPZ’ s mine’ s processing throughput to 1.3 Mt / y with completion expected in Q3 2026, with rampup commencing shortly thereafter.
RPZ has invested in training and developing the local workforce to operate and maintain the plant, further helping to embed durable technical expertise within the country.
The RP2.0 expansion project comprises further development of the underground mine, including a newly developed portal and decline to access extended underground deposits, enabling efficient extraction of ore from current and future orebodies on strike and down dip, as well as the construction of new surface facilities, including new paste fill, processing( including a new SAG mill) and water treatment plants. In parallel, RPZ is undertaking an extensive diamond drilling program aimed at expanding its mineral resource base and extending the mine’ s LOM.
Alex Mayrick, General Manager, Rosh Pinah Zinc, commented:“ Commissioning the paste fill plant represents another major step forward for RP2.0. These facilities enhance the efficiency and sustainability of our operations. With construction now more than
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54 International Mining | MARCH 2026