Flygt pumps solve problem at Foss Mine

Flygt 2660 SH dewatering pumps used for demanding conditions at Scottish mine

Mines and large-scale construction sites often accumulate dangerous levels of polluted water and successfully removing this flood risk is of vital importance to the safety of workers, as well as the productivity of the business.

Dewatering pumps can provide an effective solution for the removal of any liquid from simple nuisance water to liquid containing high levels of abrasive particles.

A case in point is Foss Mine in Aberfeldy, Scotland, which has mined barite since 1984 and currently produces approximately 50,000 tonnes each year. Foss Mine reaches depths of 500m and relies on dewatering pumps to remove large quantities of water in stages from the mining face to the surface.  Barite is a very dense but relatively soft material, while the waste rock around it is hard and abrasive. The barite is mainly used in the drilling industry and makes for a very harsh pumping environment with a high level of suspended solids in the wastewater. Due to head values of 55m plus, the wear factor in the pump wet end is critical.

The productivity of the mine increased over a period of years and the existing Flygt pumping system began to fail under the surplus volume of water, and rapid wear caused by the very abrasive silica particles suspended in the water. Constant water clearance from the working environment of the mine is critical to the operation. Wear in the impeller and wear plates in turn reduced capability of the pumps, which could not then pump to the required head. This created multiple failures resulting in reduced output, an unsafe working environment, and costly repair and maintenance bills.

With a high quantity of barite and waste rock in its wastewater, Foss Mine needed a pump that could withstand and process large quantities of grit on a daily basis with minimal equipment failure.

Drawing on their knowledge of dewatering in harsh environments, Flygt, market leaders in the design and engineering of wastewater pumping and mixing solutions, suggested a trial of the new Flygt 2660 SH super high head dewatering pump, which has been designed to cope with demanding applications.

The Flygt 2660 SH has DuraSpin hydraulic technology and hard-iron (60 HRC) impellers that help maintain performance over time and dramatically improve wear resistance.

The managing company of Foss Mine has hailed Flygt’s new super high head pump a success over previous apparatus. The mine has recorded a more reliable and efficient dewatering process on-site, substantially reduced maintenance bills and a safer environment for their underground workers.
Ian Hughes, project manager at Foss Mine, commented: ‘We adjusted very quickly to the different characteristics of the 2660 pumps. The new pumping system provides an efficient and reliable water management solution.’

Following a successful trial period, plans are in place to replace all remaining pumps with new Flygt 2660 SH models.