Dewatering at Scottish mine
14 Apr 2011
Aberfeldy, UK – Foss Mine in Aberfeldy, Scotland which has mined Barite since 1984 and currently produces approximately 50,000 tonnes each year. Reaching depths of 500 metres, the mine relies on dewatering pumps to remove large quantities of water in stages from the mining face to the surface.
Mines and large scale construction sites often accumulate dangerous levels of polluted water and removing this flood risk is vital for the safety of workers, as well as the productivity of the business.
Barite is a very dense but relatively soft material, while the waste rock around it is hard and abrasive. The barite is mainly used in the drilling industry and makes for a very harsh pumping environment with a high level of suspended solids in the waste water.
Due to head values of 55 meters plus, the wear factor in the pump wet end is critical. The productivity of the mine increased over a period of years and the existing Flygt pumping system began to fail under the surplus volume of water, and rapid wear caused by the very abrasive silica particles suspended in the water.
Wear in the impeller and wear plates in turn reduced capability of the pumps which could not then pump to the required head. This created multiple failures resulting in reduced output, unsafe working environment, and costly repair and maintenance bills.
With a high quantity of barite and waste rock in its waste water, Foss Mine needed a pump that could withstand and process large quantities of grit on a daily basis with minimal equipment failure.
Pump maker Flygt suggested a trial of its new 2660 SH Super high head dewatering pump, which has been designed to cope with such demanding applications.
The model has patented DuraSpin hydraulic technology and Hard-Iron (60 HRC) impellers, which helps maintain performance over time and dramatically improve wear resistance.
Since installing the new pump, the mining company has recorded a more reliable and efficient dewatering process on-site, substantially reduced maintenance bills and a safer environment for their underground workers.
“We adjusted very quickly to the different characteristics of the 2660 pumps. The new pumping system provides an efficient and reliable water management solution” said Ian Hughes, project manager for Foss Mine, which now plans are in place to replace all remaining pumps with new Flygt models.
