Verder's pumping solutions helped to save 500+ jobs in a South African mine
In a small town in South Africa, a mine faced potential closure due to not achieving production targets and technical difficulties experienced with a centrifugal pump in a slurry application. This specific pump application would have resulted in the loss of over 500 jobs and a significant impact on the community's social standing. However, thanks to a partnership with Verder, specializing in industrial peristaltic hose pumps, a solution was found to successfully increase production that resulted in the success to save the facility from potential closure and secure the jobs of the local workforce.
This specific process plant had a difficult slurry concentrate process requirement to transfer 140 tons concentrate product production per hour. The slurry concentration and required shear velocity did not fall into the capabilities of the installed centrifugal pumps that failed to achieve the desired process parameters. Verder’s peristaltic expert worked closely with customer engineers and relevant personnel to design fit-for-purpose peristaltic pumps and a pipeline system that would be suitable to achieve the production targets. The Verderflex VF 125 peristaltic pump, was designed to transfer the high-density slurry at 60,000 liters (15 850 gallons) per hour at a pump speed of 30 rpm.
The first VF 125 pump was commissioned, the Verder system design confirmed with the successful transfer of product to achieve first production targets while still in the proof-of-concept stage!
Due to inconsistency in the raw material supply several practical hurdles had to be overcome to ensure the maximum production time is achieved with the lowest possible operating expense. The system is now running to complete fruition. The continued increase in record production ensured the process plant’s financial objectives were achieved and secured the future of the mine as well as all the employees.
Verder and the customer acted in real time to provide a sufficient solution to ensure an infinite relationship with the employees, the community and shareholders for future investment that will resonate after the “Enabling Progress” role players have moved on.