UK-based mining technology company Weir has introduced the WARMAN MCR² mill circuit pump, designed to help mineral processing operations handle more complex ore types and greater throughput demands.
The company says the new pump addresses challenges arising from tougher operating environments in the sector.
Rising pressures in mineral processing can lead to greater fluctuations in equipment wear, maintenance schedules and asset condition, making it more difficult for operators to plan their campaigns.
This often results in heightened uncertainty regarding production levels, maintenance and overall ownership costs.
The new mill circuit pump incorporates eight patented technologies, combining developments in hydraulics, wear management, serviceability and condition monitoring.
Weir global engineering and technology vice-president John McNulty said: “Mill circuit duties continue to evolve as operators process increasingly challenging ore bodies and look to maximise performance from existing assets.
The “technology applies our expertise in hydraulics, materials science and digital technology to the areas of the pump that most influence wear, performance and ease of service.
“Together, these advances represent a step-change in WARMAN mill circuit pump design, giving operators greater control over how they manage the asset throughout its operating life.”
According to Weir, the design draws on the company’s long-standing experience in slurry pumping and insights gathered from a substantial installed base of mill circuit pumps globally.
The new pump helps extend operating campaigns, simplify maintenance and improve visibility into asset condition.
The new model maintains the same physical footprint as previous WARMAN mill circuit pumps, allowing for potential increases in plant throughput without significant infrastructure modifications.
Field trials have taken place across three continents, exposing the pump to high-wear mill circuit environments.
Weir reports that the trials demonstrated the pump can operate reliably under strenuous conditions, enabling longer and more predictable operating periods.
Last month, Weir Group secured a contract to supply a new crushing circuit for Brightstar Resources’ Laverton Processing Plant, part of the Goldfields gold project in Western Australia.
