Modern Mining January 2022

PUMPS AND VALVES

Apart from pumps and valves, Weir Minerals also offers com- plementary bellows, a critical linkage between the pump and the valve. “We can offer pumps with valves and bellows as stan- dard, giving customers solutions that integrate, talk to each other and work in sync to achieve desired results,” he says. Advanced understanding With the onset of connectiv- ity and digitalisation gaining momentum as end-users rede- fine their investment strategies, Weir Minerals’ Synertrex platform, an advanced IIoT technology, can help customers transform their operations. With Synertrex digital solu- tions, says Koorts, Weir Minerals

has created products that learn, that let custom- ers know when something is wrong, and that can solve a problem before it starts. Developed by Weir, Synertrex smart analytics platform is easily inte- grated into customers’ existing systems. “Our mantra is that ‘for years we have been listen- ing to our products, now we are teaching them to speak’. Synertrex gives customers an advanced level of understanding by allowing operators to monitor every aspect of their equipment’s operation, prevent problems and increase throughput,” he says. Wide footprint Weir Minerals Africa has an extensive footprint across the continent to deliver efficient technical support for its range of pumps and valves. Leveraging its wide branch infrastructure in Africa, Weir Minerals Africa is able to offer customers in-country support across the continent. Given the travel bans as a result of the COVID-19 situation, Koorts says it’s important for customers to have uninterrupted in-country support services to keep their plants running. “Behind our wide range of equipment is our unparalleled service support. Leveraging site experi- ence, our technicians understand the customer side of site problems. Behind our technical expertise we have another layer of engineering expertise, which allows us to do complex designs that meet specific customer requirements,” he says. In conclusion, Koorts says while capital is always a question when the project is starting, end-users should always focus on the overall cost of produc- tion, rather than the upfront cost of equipment. “For me, the customer should focus on total cost of ownership. Many of our products, if installed cor- rectly, will pay for themselves in months,” concludes Koorts. 

determined what the operating requirements are, it is vital that the valve selection is based on accurate process information. In a mining operation, there are a number of different processes where the valve selection may vary, including type of media, size and shape of solid particles, pressure, temperature or chemical content of the slurry. Another factor to look at is actuation. Weir Minerals’ valves can be operated manually, pneu- matically, hydraulically, electrically, often with the supply of control panels. “As a specialist in this field, we are able to establish whether the customer needs to operate the valve pneumatically or electri- cally. In remote areas where access to electricity may be a problem, for example, electric actuation may not be ideal. If you have a compressor on site, then you can choose pneumatic actuation. It’s all dictated by what’s available on site and the maintenance requirements, and as a supplier we understand all those variables.”

The Warman mill circuit pump is designed to withstand the harshest conditions.

Key takeaways  Weir Minerals has always treated mineral processing as a system of inter- dependent pieces of equipment – from mills, pumps and hoses, to valves, hydrocyclones and screens  Pumps and valves form part of a collective of pieces of equipment that should work in harmony for a processing plant to achieve its production and safety objectives  Suppliers should have a holistic understanding of every part of the system, given that it’s impractical to optimise a single process or component in isolation  With the onset of connectivity and digitalisation gaining momentum as end-users redefine their investment strategies, Weir Minerals’ Synertrex platform, an advanced IIoT technology, can help customers transform their operations

36  MODERN MINING  January 2022