Mining slurry pumps are a crucial element of mining, due to the complexity of operations and processes that characterise the mining sector.

In fact, the mines are located in very delicate conditions, characterised by humidity, corrosive or flammable gases, abrasive powders and of course water.

The removal of water is one of the main challenges of mining. Many work areas can be located below the water table that can be particularly difficult to be removed.

Then it is necessary to pay the utmost attention to the consequences, sometimes very serious, which may derive from any structural and environmental damage due to a malfunctioning of the plants.

The type and quantity of mining slurry pumps required for a mining operation may also vary depending on:

• surface mine (e.g. a quarry);
• underground mine (e.g. a mine shaft);
• underwater mine.

The characteristics of the mine and the variety of materials extracted make each extraction process unique, so the choice of mining slurry pumps is so difficult. However, some elements are common to all manufacturing processes, such as the need to remove sludge and water.

Mining pumps: slurry transfer

Among the activities that characterise any extraction process is slurry transfer, which requires specific, resistant and efficient mining slurry pumps.

Mining mud is a waste fluid characterised by a high solid content. This material, also called “cake“, is often toxic, highly viscous, dehydrated. It can also be very abrasive, as it usually contains waste particles from other processes, which have been accumulated at the bottom of the tanks.

Pumping this solid content of sludge can damage traditional centrifugal slurry pumps, causing a loss of suction and efficiency, and exposing them to the risk of cavitation.

One possible solution is to hydrate the sludge by transforming it into sewage using a slurry pump. This latter aspect also ensures that operation is uninterrupted. 

All PEMO slurry pumps from Perissinotto S.p.A. allow us to transfer every kind of slurries:

• purification;
• abrasives;
• acids;
• concentrates such as those that characterise the mining and aggregates sector in general.

The horizontal models AO/AB and AO/AB/DC series with side suction are particularly suitable as mining slurry pumps for the transfer of concentrated or thickened sludge. These models are able to control the maximum pressure acting against the sealing parts, reducing wear and preserving the reliability of the device.

Vertical slurry pumps for the supply of hydrocyclones

Hydrocyclones are used in industrial and manufacturing processes to remove solids from transport liquids, or to separate liquids of different consistencies.

In the processing plants of the mining industry, they are used to separate solids from water, and the choice of slurry pumps for feeding them is very important.

Vertical slurry pumps for feeding hydrocyclones must have a very powerful mechanism, since the materials they handle are heavy and may also contain corrosive or volatile substances.

Our range of products can be used for slurry transfer to hydrocyclones, to separate sand and heavier particles from the water.

Shafts, crankcases and bearings of PEMO mining slurry pumps are oversized to increase their mechanical life. An industrial quality design makes the overall dimensions compact.

The rubber or metal impellers are open. The metal ones are generally made of Hardalloy PEMO (750-800 HB), or of AISI or Hastelloy C, but on request they can also be made of other metals or alloys.

The bodies are mainly built in cast iron, in two separable parts. Some models are available in PEMO Hardalloy, and on request in stainless steel, Hastelloy or other metals.

Among the vertical slurry pumps for feeding hydrocyclones, the AUS series is particularly suitable.

These mining products are characterised by:

• absence of sealing parts;
• open impellers;
• other features that help reduce operating costs.

In fact, compared to traditional horizontal models, the AUS series vertical slurry pumps have shown in most applications an energy saving between 15% and 30%.

Mining slurry pumps for water treatment

Even slurry mining slurry pumps for water treatment can differ depending on:

• processing phase in which this step takes place;
• location of the water (e.g. at depth or surface) and its destination;
• type of water to be moved.

In fact, mine waters can be divided into three categories:

• low aggressive waters, i.e. with a CO2 concentration lower than 10 mg. per litre, electrical conductivity up to 500 µS/cm (microsiemens per cm) and concentration of chlorides, nitrates and sulphates respectively below 150, 40, 250 mg/l;
• medium aggressive waters (CO2 concentration between 10 mg/l and 500 mg/l; electrical conductivity between 500 µS/cm and 1000 µS/cm, concentration of chlorides, nitrates and sulphates respectively below 150, 40, 250 mg/l);
• very aggressive waters (CO2 concentration between 500 mg/l and 1000 mg/l; electrical conductivity higher than 1000 µS/cm, concentration of chlorides, nitrates and sulphates respectively over 150, 40, 250 mg/l; concentration of solid particles over 500 mg/l).

Among these devices which are most commonly used for water treatment we include for example:

• submersible centrifugal ones (slurry pump and motor form a unique submerged unit);
• submersible turbines (with slurry pump and motor installed in a well or cooling sleeve, submerged);
• vertical turbines, installed on a float (with the end of the slurry pump and column tube submerged, and the motor mounted on a motor seat out of the water).

In some contexts it is also possible to use self-priming centrifugal slurry pumps, operated by an electric motor.

Our submersible steel mining slurry pumps are designed to guarantee a long life and to reduce the need of maintenance.

The submersible parts (volutes, impellers, suction flanges, shaft sleeve) are made of Hardalloy, an iron alloy with a hardness over 800 HR. It guarantees reliable performance in demanding applications (up to 70% of solids, with particles up to 20 mm in diameter).

The flow rates vary from 5 to 700 cubic metres per hour.

Among the most suitable PEMO mining slurry pumps for water treatment are the S-FP, 603-H, K125H, 1004H, 1706 / 99H models.