Mining
The mining industry comes with the most challenging applications and highest safety standards for shut-off valves. Viscous, solids-rich or powdery media are often transported at high pressure. In addition to heavy abrasion and the risk of scaling, the mixture often contains toxic and corrosive substances that attack the surfaces of the valve and would cause great harm to humans and the environment if they were to leak. Absolute safety and tightness is therefore a top priority.
Our
Competence
We have been at home in the mining industry for decades and have perfected our valve design to meet the most demanding requirements in this challenging business. Mining operations in more than 30 countries around the world rely on Wey knife gate valves.
Typical
Media
- Slurries
- Tailings
- Solvents
- Acids
- Ammonia
- Cyanides
- Caustic soda
- Lime powder
- Coal dust
Typical
Processes
Solvent extraction
Metals like uranium, copper, nickel or cobalt are separated using a mixture of sulphuric acid and solvents like petroleum or naphtha. Pipes and valves must be especially corrosion resistant.
Carbon in Leach
A process for extracting gold. It involves crushing the ore and mixing it with a cyanide solution to dissolve the gold. Bubble-tightness of all equip¬ment is crucial due to the toxic nature of cyanide.
Electrowinning
An electrical current is passed through a leach solution and deposits dissolved metals. The smallest changes in the flow rate can disrupt the process. The used valves must therefore be precise and reliable.
Roasting
Metals such as copper or nickel, which are present as sulphides and are therefore insoluble, are purified by strong heating. Valves in this process must withstand high temperatures.
Our Wey valves
for mining
W Series
MH Series
MG Series
Options
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Heavy-duty double transverse seal with two scrapers guarantees zero leakage to the atmosphere even under difficult conditions.
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A wear ring protects the body and seal from severe abrasion
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Body and gate made of Super Duplex stainless steel are additionally resistant to corrosion
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Further options depending on project requirements
References
Oilsands in Canada
More than 10 000 Wey knife gate valves have already been installed in the Canadian oil sand deposits. They convey extremely abrasive slurry mixtures and are often installed outdoors with temperatures from -50°C up to +35°C.
The Çöpler gold mine in Turkey
Equipping a new mining complex for gold production with more than 300 knife gate valves for extreme conditions.
PDF
Iron Ore Tailings in Australia
For a highly abrasive and high pressure mining application in Western Australia we designed a customized knife gate valve. Tailings are transported through the valves at a pressure of over 50 bar.
