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Minera San Julián Adopts Pexgol to Improve Water Management

Pexgol Transforms Tailings Transportation at Minera San Julián.

Estudo de Caso Nº

165

Cliente

Fresnillo plc
Mexico

|

2024

Condições de Trabalho

Temperature: 25°C / 77°F | Flow: 131 m³/h | Pressure: 200 psi | Fluid components: Sand, water, cyanide | Percentage of solids: 64% d.50 / 25 μm d.85 / 75 μm | Specific gravity of solids: 2.75 | Density of solids: 1.687 g/cm³

Solução Pexgol

Pexgol 8″ & 10″, SDR 11 & SDR 9

Aplicação

Tailings

Comprimento

6250 m / 20505.25 ft

Categorias

Minera San Julián Adopts Pexgol to Improve Water Management

The Challenge

San Julián, a mining unit of Fresnillo plc, faced a significant challenge in its tailings (jal) transportation operation in Mexico. The existing line, composed of carbon steel SCH 80 pipes, suffered from severe corrosion and wear problems, and the use of positive displacement pumps generated harmful vibrations. These issues not only compromised operational efficiency but also increased maintenance costs and raised medium-term safety concerns. With the goal of reducing the amount of water used, it was decided to seek a more suitable and durable solution. The water reduction is due to the use of positive displacement pumps that can pump tailings with a higher percentage of solids and consequently less water. To transport this abrasive tailings, Pexgol pipes were chosen.

The Solution

To address these challenges, Minera San Julián decided to implement 8” and 10” Pexgol pipes in SDR 11 and SDR 9 classes. These pipes were selected for their high resistance to chemicals and corrosion, flexibility, long lifespan, and ease of installation. The Pexgol pipes were supplied in 270-meter lengths for the 8” pipes and 150-meter lengths for the 10” pipes. The installation was carried out with the help of an uncoiler, allowing for quick and efficient deployment at the bottom of the tailings pond and along the path to the pond, over emergency gutters.

Connections between the pipes, as well as to the valves and steel pipes, were made with GP flanged couplings, without the need for complex tools.

The implementation of Pexgol pipes eliminated the corrosion and wear problems that affected the steel pipes. Additionally, the supply of pipes in rolls significantly reduced the number of joints required, thus increasing the project’s safety and efficiency.

The material’s flexibility and quick installation minimized interruptions to the mine’s operations, improving overall productivity.

Granulometric Distribution San Julián Tailings Veins

Product MeshSize (microns)Retained WeightRetained Weight% Passing Accumulated
LimitEfectivo
258508500100
50;4254250100
702122125.311.0698.94
100;15015017.463.4995.45
14010510546.559.3186.14
200757567.1413.4372.71
270535339.477.8964.81
325444440.408.0856.73
400383826.735.3551.39
Ciclon 142.7412.850.5750.82
Ciclon 2302921.524.346.51
Ciclon 321.42041.808.3638.81
Ciclon 415.31531.716.3431.81
Ciclon 512.31223.214.6427.17
Ciclon 6-12-12135.8627.170
Total500.00100.00
Operative ConditionsSizeFactor
Temperature ºC280.91
Specific Gravity2.421.09
Rotameter (mm)1801.02
Elutriation time200.96
General Factor0.96
K80 Size (microns)91.3

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