Abstract
Optimal water management in mine operations has never been more critical. A poll of mining operators carried out by Xylem revealed that 63 percent agree that the growing cost of water and sustainable water management is their most pressing water-related issue on site. Similarly, investors and regulators are increasingly focused on how mining companies manage water. Clearly, it makes economic and environmental sense to use this finite resource carefully and efficiently – and mine operators are taking action.
Digital transformation is increasingly enabling more efficient and sustainable mine sites. Drawing on specific application examples and case studies, Xylem’s Jessy Parmar can speak about how mine operators are applying digital technologies as part of a holistic approach to reduce water waste, minimize downtime and lower costs while streamlining mine operations and increasing productivity.
Some practical examples include:
- Cloud computing that offers cost savings and increased security and predictive maintenance technology like new condition monitoring devices that help to minimize downtime. A mine in Canada has been leveraging this technology with their multistage centrifugal pumps to help manage vibration issues with their larger motors. The condition monitoring device has been measuring the vibration, arming the customer with sharper insight on the scale of the issue to inform remediation actions. In the future they will expand their use of the devices to measure the temperature of the pump bearings and motor and then enhance their maintenance program based on the information provided.
- Submersible pumps with integrated intelligence that drive greater efficiency and cut production downtime. Electric driven submersibles also offer the advantage of running on a clean, sustainable energy source.
- Remote monitoring equipment that provides greater visibility of mining assets. Personnel can monitor equipment remotely, removing the need for physical site visits, enhancing site safety and freeing up resources for other critical tasks. This is particularly beneficial today as mines now operate deeper beneath the earth’s surface, which can also prove to be more hazardous.
- Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) that provide insight that empowers operators to ensure equipment is being used in the most efficient way, which in turn promotes production uptime. Other smart technologies like water quality monitoring and reporting systems, as well as pipeline integrity tools that can detect leaks, help to prevent catastrophic failures that could be detrimental to the local environment and surrounding communities.
As mine operators continue to embrace digital transformation, this presentation will provide a practical roadmap about the opportunities to turn mine water management from an expense to a strategic advantage.
Sample case studies and additional information here: https://www.xylem.com/en-us/campaigns/act/holistic-mine-water-management/