Skip to content

Overcoming Geotechnical Challenges with Pexgol at Media Luna

Improving drainage in the Media Luna mine with Pexgol.

Estudo de Caso Nº

159

Cliente

Minera Media Luna
Mexico

|

2023

Condições de Trabalho

Temperature: 25°C / 77°F | Flow: 80 l/sec | Pressure: 28.5 bar

Solução Pexgol

Pexgol 8″ SDR 6

Aplicação

Mine Dewatering

Comprimento

540 m / 1640.42 ft

Categorias

Overcoming Geotechnical Challenges with Pexgol at Media Luna

The Challenge

Torex Gold, an intermediate gold producer with operations in the Guerrero gold belt in Mexico, faced a significant challenge at its Media Luna mine. The need for an effective underground water pumping system was critical to continuing mining operations. The conventional alternative of using steel pipes presented multiple disadvantages, including the high cost of installation and materials, the need for frequent welding every 12 meters, and the requirement for specialized machinery for installation inside the mine, in addition to susceptibility to corrosion due to high humidity in the underground environment.

The Solution

After a thorough analysis, Torex Gold selected 8” SDR 6 Pexgol pipes for a total of 540 metres distributed in two coils of 270 metres each. Pexgol pipes were chosen for their corrosion resistance, the possibility of supplying them in long sections that significantly reduce joints, and their fast and efficient installation. In addition, the lightness and flexibility of the material facilitated its handling and installation in the complex mine environment.
The implementation of the Pexgol solution at Minera Media Luna not only met the operational and technical requirements of the project, but also exceeded expectations in terms of installation efficiency and costs. The ability to supply pipes in long coils allowed for continuous installation without the interruptions and costs associated with welding required by steel pipes. In addition, the mine’s in-house engineering successfully designed the surface base and the clamping platform at the end of the countershaft, ensuring seamless integration of the Pexgol system into the existing infrastructure. This project not only demonstrated the technical and economic viability of Pexgol pipes in challenging mining applications, but also set a precedent for future implementations, highlighting the importance of selecting innovative materials that offer durable and cost-effective solutions in the mining industry.

Estudos de Caso Relacionados

Installation of 3000 Meters Of PE-X Pipe for an Underground Mine.

Drainage Lines in Underground Mine

Lundin Mining – Candelaria Norte Mine
Chile

 | 

2020
Performance evaluation of Pexgol lining under extreme service conditions.

Durable Solution Against Abrasion in Production Facilities: Pexgol at YPF

YPF
Argentina

 | 

2018
Successful outcome in pilot test for SCT Discharge Line with Pexgol.

Advanced piping solutions for handlingscaling fluids

Barrick Gold
Dominican Republic

 | 

2023
Addressing Scaling and Line Plugging with Advanced PE-X Piping.

Slurry: Pexgol’s Superior Alternative to Traditional Piping

Chip Manufacturer
USA

 | 

2022
The mine was facing scaling issues with their existing HDPE pipes, which required replacement every two weeks. The introduction of Pexgol pipes drastically reduced scaling.

Pexgol: Significant Pipe Wall Scale Reduction

Copper Mine
USA

 | 

2022
Enhancing Efficiency and Durability in the Construction of Aerial Pipelines.

Facing the Challenges of the Neuquén Terrain in Argentina

Pluspetrol
Argentina

 | 

2023