Copper demand spurs innovative mining

Amid growing copper demand globally, driven by the energy transition, mining companies face significant pressures to increase output in the face of declining copper head grades. To meet this challenge, companies are exploring advancements in copper mining technologies with the adoption of new processing technologies, says pump manufacturer Schurco Slurry Africa pump applications and projects manager Marc Young.

As these new technologies and mineral processing methods are implemented, slurry pumps that are available in a wide range of build materials, and in various pump sizes and designs, are critical for the copper mining industry to meet operational demands.

Young explains that upscaling mine plant throughput volumes creates a requirement for larger and more robust slurry pumps that can handle increased volumes, as well as specialised wear-resistant materials that optimise performance.

“These enhancements, ultimately, improve wear life and efficiency, and reduce the total cost of ownership (TCOO) for end-users.”

He adds that life-cycle costs and TCOO of slurry pumps are critical business considerations that, alongside other operational expenses, determine the long-term economic viability and profitability of mining operations.

Schurco Slurry uses its extensive experience to assist customers in carefully selecting the appropriate pump and materials to handle a wide spectrum of applications and environments, from moderate to extreme.

Young explains that chemicals, varying chemical composition levels and different chemical concentrations at various temperatures make pump material selection and recommendations critical, as this ensures that the required tonnage is achieved while maintaining a sustainable and profitable operation.

Therefore, Schurco Slurry collaborates closely with end-users, customers and consultants, from the initial concept phase to implementation.

This approach enables the company to provide ongoing support in all aspects related to the system and pumps, before commissioning and during operation, which, in turn, helps to maintain long-term performance and reliability.

Schurco Slurry’s skilled maintenance teams are available to provide support, ranging from breakdown response to proactive advice that reduces downtime, ensuring that end-users maintain consistent and efficient operations with fewer disruptions.

Young says the company has supplied multiple slurry pump sets to locations across South Africa, in addition to other African countries, as well as to Kazakhstan, with an average of 20 to 30 complete pump sets for every project.

Overall Benefits
Schurco Slurry’s extensive research and development team is continually focused on improving materials and solutions to help mining operations reduce spare parts use and power consumption, explains Young.

The company addresses sustainability by ensuring its pump parts last longer, which, in turn, reduces yearly spare parts consumption, thereby lowering the environmental impact associated with component disposal and material waste, he elaborates.

The company’s range of high-efficiency impeller designs assists in reducing power consumption, resulting in cumulative energy savings across multiple pumps yearly, while also making a meaningful contribution to reducing the overall environmental footprint.

Young adds that, amid increasing demand and fluctuating markets, every kilowatt saved through an energy efficient plant, longer- lasting parts and every performance improvement gained through Schurco Slurry’s extensive range of solutions contributes to a more cost-effective and profitable operation.

Advanced Improvements
Through extensive analysis of the chemical- resistant properties of its proprietary polyurethane blend and the application of varying grades of specific stainless-steel components, Schurco Slurry has significantly extended the average wear life of its pumps’ wear parts, such as traditional elastomers and other materials previously used in similar applications.

“This advancement has resulted in a wear-life increase ranging from 20% to 50%, ultimately delivering substantial cost savings to our customers and end- users,” says Young.

He adds that the success of this material combination is driven by a thorough selection process, the development of enhanced materials and the collaborative efforts of the company’s experienced engineering teams in South Africa and the US.

For applications unsuitable for polyurethane, the company offers a range of elastomers such as hypalon, neoprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer, butyl and nitrile.

“With Schurco Slurry’s extensive range of metal and elastomer parts and pumps, we have positioned ourselves in the market, through research and experience, to meet most slurry application needs within the copper mining process,” concludes Young.