10
Chemical Technology • September 2013
FOCUS
on mining & minerals processing
EC Mining,
the new Grindex submersible pump distributor
in Zambia and DRC, has established a Test Bay facility with
the aim of testing approximately ten to 25 repaired pumps
per week, size-depending. “As the new pump testing facility
available in Zambia, EC Mining will supply a superior pump
to all its mining clients in Zambia and the DRC. The introduc-
tion of the new testing facility is also extremely important
to deliver superior pump repairs to OEM specifications,” ac-
cording to Voith Turbo’s Key Account Manager, Chris Heunes.
“Late last year, EC Mining placed the Test Bay order with
us for the full range of Grindex pumps, from 1,2 kw up to 90
kw, including the entire range of slurry and sludge pumps.”
Heunes attributes the fact that Grindex pumps are prod-
ucts of choice to the unique features and benefits of Grindex
dewatering pumps up to 18 kw. The patented air valve gives
the pump the ability to run dry for long periods of time,
protecting the pump from overheating. The SMART motor
protection system, which is the brain of the pump, protects
the pump against most electrical failures, prevents turning
in the wrong direction and loosening the impeller and will
automatically shut off if temperatures exceed 120ºC. This
automatic shut off function also protects the pump during
power failures.
Weir Minerals Africa
is poised to ship a substantial order for a
complete cyclone package, designed in Africa for Africa, to First
Quantum Minerals Ltd’s new Sentinel copper project in Zambia.
First Quantum is a major and longstanding client of Weir Miner-
als Africa, both in Africa and across the world, in areas such as
Australia, Finland and Central America.
This will be one of the biggest installations of its kind ever
supplied by Weir Minerals Africa into an African application
and includes six cyclone clusters. To date, clusters of this size
only occur in Australia and Chile. The equipment destined for
the Sentinel project is considered very large for any greenfields
project and is at the upper end of global engineering practice.
The order was placed with Weir Minerals Africa in mid-2012
and the cyclone clusters have been custom designed for this
application to achieve a specified metallurgical performance.
Commissioning is scheduled for the first quarter of 2014.
Weir Minerals Africa’s process manager, JD Singleton, says
he believes the company was preferred in its bid to supply this
equipment based on its unique Cavex
®
technology and associ-
ated application skills, as well as its quick response time to
technical queries during the tender adjudication period.
“In addition to our proprietary Cavex
®
technology which is
well proven in the Zambian copperbelt, other unique features
of this order include various grades of Linatex® rubber lining
for superior abrasion resistance and our Isogate® knife gate
valves with full port flow which will ensure that the Cavex
®
cyclones receive a laminar feed,” says Singleton.
The package includes two clusters for the SAG mill opera-
tion, each of which comprises twelve 650 CVX cyclones (of
which one will be put by for future expansion), with a capacity of
more than 3 000 m³ per hour, and four clusters for the ball mill,
comprising sixteen 650 CVX cyclones with a capacity in excess
of 5 000 m³ per hour.
For all Weir Minerals Africa-supplied clusters, it is standard
practice for the technical team to conduct a complete dummy
assembly prior to the application of rubber linings, to allow for
final modifications. This practice is also included as a standard
holding point in the company’s quality control program and is
witnessed by the customer.
Weir Minerals Africa will provide commissioning assistance on
site and will support its equipment for the life of the mine from
its Zambia branch, including stockholding of spare parts, with
backup from the company’s Isando operations. The clusters are
100% locally designed and fabricated by Weir Minerals Africa.
Test Bay facility for
Grindex Pumps in Zambia
Weir Minerals Africa poised
to ship major cyclone order
to Sentinel project
For more information contact
Terry-Lynn McIntosh on tel: +27 11 418 4036; email: terry.
; or go to
.
Test Bay
facility
established
by new
Grindex
submersible
pump
distributor
in Zambia
and DRC, EC
Mining.
For more information contact
Rene Calitz on tel: +27 11
929 2622; email: r.calitz@
weirminerals.com; or go to:
.
Two Cavex clusters comprising
twelve 650 CVX cyclones intended
for SAG mill operations at Sentinel.
The third feature, the built-in start equipment present in
most of the pumps, eliminates the need for external start
equipment, enabling the operator to simply and conveniently
‘plug and pump’. The pumps are also supplied complete with
a 20 m cable.
Extensive savings can be realized on maintenance and
spares as the redesign incorporates fewer parts. The hydraulic
design, featuring a corrugated outer casing, makes the pumps
stronger, more rugged and up to three times more wear-resis-
tant. The pumps can be submerged up to 20 m and can handle
2 10 pH and temperatures up to 40ºC. Pumps are also capable
of pumping slag and steel pieces provided water is present for
agitation.
Grooves in the new spiral wear plate prolong life in dewater-
ing pumps by removing sand particles from the mechanical
seal while the shock absorber system protects the mechanical
seal in the event that the pump is dropped.
