Skip to content

Environmental Protection and Efficiency in Tailings Management

In an engineering challenge, the Pexgol 225 mm (8”) Class 15 pipe proved to be the perfect solution for transporting tailings at the Mina Capela mining complex.

Estudo de Caso Nº

122

Cliente

Mina Capella – Grupo Peñoles
Mexico

|

2023

Condições de Trabalho

Flow: 200 m3/h Temperature: 25°C / 77°F Pressure: 130psi Fluid components: Limestone, water and acids – 55% solids in suspension. Specific weight 3. K50 (microns): 91.3

Solução Pexgol

Pexgol 225 mm (8″), Class 15

Aplicação

Transport of Slurry

Comprimento

900 m / 2952 ft

Categorias

Environmental Protection and Efficiency in Tailings Management

The Challenge

At the Mina Capela mining complex of Grupo Peñoles in Mexico, they faced the challenge of implementing an efficient and safe solution for pumping tailings from the thickener plant to a new tailings dam. The solution had to be wear-resistant in the long term and ensure minimal risk of leaks to protect the environment.

Pexgol Solution

The choice was to install 900 meters of Pexgol 225 mm (8”) Class 15 piping, known for its durability and abrasion resistance. The piping was arranged around the tailings dam, with branches every 200 meters to fill the dam from different positions, thus optimizing the distribution of material.

The main challenges to face were:

  • Highly abrasive fluid: The tailings required a solution that could withstand longterm
    wear.
  • Environmental protection: In case of spillage, the fluid could negatively affect
    the local ecosystem.

Therefore, an option with minimal risk of leaks in the piping and connections was sought.

The Pexgol 225 mm (8”) Class 15 piping proved to be the ideal solution for this challenge. The combination of the material’s (PE-X) abrasion resistance and the supply in rolls, which minimizes the number of joints, made Pexgol the safest option.

After three years of operation, thickness measurements taken every six months have confirmed that there has been no reduction in the thickness of the piping, demonstrating its durability and optimal performance.

Estudos de Caso Relacionados

High Pressure potable water line

High Pressure Potable Water Line

Antofagasta Minerals, Pelambres Mine
Chile

 | 

2014
Installation of a drainage system between a well and a mining dam.

Drinking Water on Sloping Terrain

AquaMag
Colombia

 | 

2019

Categorias

Installation of Buried Pipes to Transport Water on a Mining Road.

Water Transportation on a Mining Road

CODELCO – Andina Mine
Chile

 | 

2019
The innovative solution from Pexgol for Anglo American Peru’s piping challenges.

Navigating extreme conditions with Pexgol’s PE-X pipes

Anglo American Perú
Peru

 | 

2023
Installation of Pexgol Pipe for the Transport of Abrasive Tailings.

Abrasive Tailings Transport

Pirquitas Mine
Argentina

 | 

2015
Grey Water Transportation

Recovered Water Transportation

Coeur Mexicana S.A. de C.V. Palmarejo
Mexico

 | 

2017