INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | SPONSORED EDITORIAL
THE MULTI - TALENT FOR THE
MINING INDUSTRY IN AUST�ALIA
The mining and metal industry's products support and enable many sectors around the world, including but not limited to consumer electronics, agriculture, critical infrastructure and transportation. The demand for metals and minerals is expected to increase as the global energy transition continues to accelerate.
A
n increasing number of miners are enhancing their efficiency by implementing low-carbon technologies and methods, by collaborating with processors to produce metals that meet consumer demand for eco-friendly products and by accessing financing linked to sustainability. A wide range of modern technologies are creating value and contributing to the achievement of economic growth and a future with lower carbon emissions. Due to the vast scope of the mining industry, this article will focus on mining pump applications and their potential to decrease carbon emissions, promote a safer work environment and generate consistently low operating costs.
Expectations in the mining industry
The expectations for mining equipment can be categorised as cost, performance and HSE (Health, Safety and Environment). Performance is the primary factor, denoting satisfactory outputs and desired metal qualities. Operators can increase profitability by using mining pumps with lower running costs; nonetheless, not at the expense of reliability or safety. Pumps with high dependability require less maintenance. The fewer times maintenance personnel need to inspect or repair the
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pump, the better. More preferably, personnel could dismantle the entire pump simply and safely without relocating it to a work stand. Moreover, the industry prefers a full-proof pump that can withstand the harsh conditions of mining. In certain instances, it is important to consider factors such as pH levels and salinity when selecting building materials. In specific regions of Western and Southern Australia, the water contains salinity levels up to 33 times greater than seawater, attributable to an inland sea that existed several hundred thousand years ago.
An omnipresent factor: mine dewatering
Water can enter mines through two different means: artificially added to remove overburden, waste or rock debris along with facilitating the washing of crushed ores, or naturally as underground water. Mine dewatering serves multiple purposes, including active dewatering of both ore and waste rock, which is essential to ensure continuous operation. Additionally, maintaining dry pit floors and underground workings is necessary to minimise the risk of sudden flooding or mudslides. Releasing pore pressures in open-pit slopes and underground workings is critical to avoid pit bench failures or collapse in underground operations. www.miningmagazine.com.au
