International pumps manufacturer Slurry Pump Solutions, a VBV Holdings company, will launch its new product, the Phoenix energy-recovery/slurry 
pump at the second-largest mining trade show in the world, Electra Mining, in October.

The unit will not only replace seven conventional slurry pumps and motors on a typical mine operation, but will also result in power savings in excess of 50%, claims VBV Holdings MD Peter Viljoen.

“Because of the energy crisis and the emphasis on reducing carbon emissions worldwide, this product is ideal for any mining operation,” he says.

The unit was developed over four years and went into production at the beginning of 2010. The Phoenix has a dual application, as it is both a slurry pump and an energy recovery system.

The Phoenix is currently oper-
ating at a gold mine in South Africa, while a further two units are running on a trial basis under simulated mining conditions at VBV Holdings’ fabrication site, in Krugersdorp.

Meanwhile, an international mining company has shown 
interest in the product, placing orders for seven units.

“These units will produce enough energy to cater for this specific mine’s electricity needs,” explains Viljoen.

The energy recovery aspect of the slurry pump comes into play when the slurry, which runs at an angle, is passed through a reverse process, which generates electricity, while simultaneously pumping slurry to a mine’s dump.

“The savings created by the use of the Phoenix will vary, as every mine’s maintenance costs and philosophy on costs differ. However, from the maintenance costs provided to the company by various mining operations, we have calculated that the unit should save at least 70% in broad-based maintenance costs.

“This slurry pump is revolutionary, as it differs greatly from conventional slurry pumps, which require a gland service 
water pump, booster pump 
stations and involve control 
instrumentation operating in the slurry,” Viljoen says.

He adds that the Phoenix may seem like a simple idea; however, the complexity of the unit lies in the internal programming technology required to ensure that the product functions correctly.

Five large local coal companies are also interested in obtaining the slurry pump. However, VBV Holdings will not be selling the unit but renting the Phoenix and the company’s services, as this is a cheaper solution for clients.

“The intention is to render a service and charge mines for the rate at which slurry is pumped. This is calculated by an in-built accounting system, as the volume of slurry displaced is equal to the measured volume of clear water pumped. It is cheaper to rent the Phoenix, as a mining company will not have to invest capital to buy the unit. Instead, the company will simply have to incorporate the cost of renting the machine into its budget.

“The service includes maintenance cover. All our machines are completely automated and constantly communicate operational data or fault signals off site by means of a cellphone connection, while communication with the machine is done in the same way.

Therefore, a machine will 
notify VBV Holdings when it 
requires a technician, eliminating the responsibility of maintenance for the client,” explains Viljoen.

He says that industries, the mining and petrochemicals 
industries in particular, are moving towards concentrating only on their core business and, with the help of VBV Holdings’ ser-
vices, companies will be able to do so.

“Everyone is cost conscious and the Phoenix provides added value and the option of eliminating downtime by piggybacking machines to create unlimited 
uptime. This increases produc-
tivity, which, in turn, increases 
the profitability of the operation,” concludes Viljoen.