Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/841719
by Hunter Powell APPLICATIONS 28 AGGREGATES MANAGER / July 2017 W ater is the lifeblood of any aggregate operation, crit- ical for the extraction of minerals, as well as liquid minerals and gases. While playing an in- tegral role in the mining process, an over- abundance of water can bring operations to a halt and create complex dewater- ing challenges for operations. Dewatering pumps, whether moving water from one location to another for reuse or removing water from a low-lying area, help main- tain the smooth running of mine oper- ations. As such, ensuring optimal pump performance and maximizing the life of dewatering pumps in aggregate oper- ations should be top of mind for plant superintendents seeking to keep produc- tivity flowing in the right direction. To achieve this goal, mine operators are increasingly turning to preventive maintenance to keep pumps operating at their best, day in and day out, and in doing so, extending the lifetime of the pump. Many engage in a preventive maintenance agreement (PMA) — a ser- vice contract with equipment provid- ers tailored to meet the mine's specific needs — which includes regularly sched- uled visits by service technicians to en- sure equipment keeps running smoothly. A PMA enables mine operators to retain control over their maintenance budget Vista Sand Succeeds with Dewatering By implementing a preventive maintenance agreement, the operator helps to ensure optimal dewatering pump performance. Oil filters are changed every 250 hours on the pumps to remove grit and contaminants that can damage internal engine components during oil circulation.