From backup to primary system: robust dewatering unit conveys mine water
In order to reliably guarantee dewatering in a gold mine in the US state of Montana and to be able to ensure safe extraction of mineral resources, the operator procured a mobile backup unit in addition to the main system with centrifugal pumps. Because the mine water is characterised by a low pH value and highly corrosive and abrasive properties,
the managers decided on a particularly robust solution with a
customer-specific design from NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH in Waldkraiburg: its essential component is a progressing cavity pump, whose special displacement principle makes it particularly well suited to conveying wastewaterwith abrasive solids.
The NETZSCH system became the primary dewatering equipment down in the shaft, because in the process, it turned out to be more reliable than the previous centrifugal pumps.
Roger Willis,
Manager Business Field Chemical, Pulp & Paper
Continuous, effective dewatering is needed for many underground and opencast mines to enable continued operation. The water, which seeps into the shafts and galleries, could otherwise lead to flooding. Pumping the water out is therefore an essential process which is generally carried out by several conveying systems.
The operator of a gold mine in Montana approached NETZSCH, because they wanted to procure a backup dewatering unit in addition to the main system with
centrifugal pumps.
NETZSCH proposed the NEMO® SY progressing cavity pump, because due to its special displacement principle it is particularly well suited for conveyance of wastewater with abrasive solids.
Immediately after delivery, it was used exclusively as a backup unit for the centrifugal pumps. However, shortly afterwards these aggregates failed, meaning that the NETZSCH solution became the primary dewatering equipment. In the process, it turned out to be more reliable than the previous system.
The essential component of the dewatering unit is a NEMO® progressing cavity pump, whose special displacement principle makes it particularly well suited to conveying wastewater with abrasive solids.
For more than 60 years, NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme has served markets worldwide with NEMO® progressing cavity pumps, TORNADO® rotary lobe pumps, NOTOS® multi screw pumps, grinding machines, barrel emptying systems, dosing systems and accessories, providing customised, sophisticated solutions for applications
in every type of industry. With a workforce of over 2,000 and a turnover of more than 245 million euros (2016 financial year), NETZSCH Pumps & Systems is the largest business unit with the highest turnover in the NETZSCH Group, alongside NETZSCH Analysing & Testing and NETZSCH Grinding & Dispersing.
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NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH
Geretsrieder Strasse 1
84478 Waldkraiburg
Germany
Phone: +49 8638 63-0
Fax: +49 8638 67981