Water management is an essential part of mining operations.
Mines may need to move and isolate:
- Process water
- Recovered water
- Mine water
- Wastewater
- Sludge
- Effluent
The correct valve depends heavily on the characteristics of the water stream.
Not All Mine Water Is the Same
Clean process water presents very different valve requirements from water containing high levels of suspended solids.
Mine water may contain:
- Sediment
- Fine particles
- Chemicals
- Minerals
- Corrosive contaminants
Where Knife Gate Valves Can Help
Knife gate valves can be considered for isolation applications involving water and water containing suspended solids.
CMO’s A Series, for example, is designed for applications including water, wastewater and liquids containing limited suspended solids.
Matching the Valve to the Water
Important factors include:
- Suspended solids
- Pressure
- Temperature
- Chemical composition
- Pipeline size
- Required flow capacity
Mine Dewatering
Dewatering systems can be particularly critical because pumps and pipelines must operate reliably to remove water from mining areas.
A valve failure can complicate maintenance and potentially affect the wider dewatering system.
Application-Specific Selection
The best mine-water valve is determined by the actual water quality and operating conditions.