Pit & Quarry, March 2015
In many gold mines for example open pit dewatering is key to the continued and efficient extraction of precious metals At a large scale gold mine in western Australia investing in a dewatering system to effectively remove the continual influx of saline groundwater and precipitation was vital to keep the mine running at its optimum level of production Many large open pit mines have been excavated to significant depth requiring pumps capable of building significant pressure to boost water out of the pit Various pump technologies are available and it is recommended that users contact a pump expert to assess the unique requirements of the job before selecting a pumping system Environmental concerns are a factor driving producers to focus on water management Reliable experts Those employees at aggregate operations with responsibility for water management must develop expertise well beyond the traditional requirements of the job Partnering with a trusted expert in water transport and treatment solutions is essential to effectively implement a water management strategy and improve the efficiency of mining operations The success of mining companies hinges on their ability to embrace new forms of technology particularly in regard to water systems management Creating alliances with industry experts will improve outcomes and long term sustainability by ensuring the most efficient systems are in place to achieve these goals P Q Nate Maguire is Americas business unit director industry and agriculture for Xylems applied water systems business unit www pitandquarry com March 2015 PIT QUARRY 95
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