Severe-duty slurry pumps, like this Goulds Pumps SRL model, offer the extra thick, rubber-lining needed to pump and process mining slurry along processing lines.
A sister brand to Lightnin, this Philadelphia Raven mixer excels in mining applications.
mixing systems may no longer be optimized for evolving process conditions. Pumps are then required to handle inconsistencies in slurry that lead to increased wear, higher energy consumption, or reduced throughput. These issues are magnified when legacy equipment becomes difficult to maintain or support and doesn’t work well in tandem with other parts. This is where the expertise behind the equipment becomes critical. SPX FLOW’s Mixer Modernisation and Reliability (MMR) approach provides a practical example. In one mining operation, a fleet of aging mixers was experiencing frequent failures, long repair times (20 weeks), and declining performance due to obsolete gearbox designs and limited access to OEM parts. Rather than replacing equipment outright, SPX FLOW conducted a full system assessment, reverse-
Lightnin industrial mixers service larger fixed-mount units.
how it is treated during mixing, and how it is transferred downstream. In doing so, operators can identify inefficiencies earlier and make adjustments that improve overall system performance. This perspective is especially valuable in critical applications such as conditioning, leaching, and high-pressure oxidation. In these environments, improper mixing or flow can have downstream effects on recovery, energy use,
engineered critical components, and implemented a structured maintenance and inventory strategy. The result was a significant reduction in unplanned downtime, improved repair quality, and a measurable increase in mean time between failures over time. What stands out in this example is the approach to
and equipment life. Aligning pumping and mixing strategies helps create more stable operating conditions and reduces the likelihood of unplanned disruptions.
In conclusion, pumping and mixing no longer have to be looked at as separate functions. Instead, they are interconnected steps that should influence each other at every stage of the mining process. When aligned, operators can achieve better performance and improved recovery. The combination of ITT Inc. and
The addition of SPX FLOW’s Mixing Solutions Portfolio brings deep expertise in mixing and agitation across a wide range of mineral processing applications.
solving the problem, not just the solution itself. The focus was on understanding how the mixing system performed within the broader process and addressing the root causes of failure, rather than reacting to individual breakdowns. When combined with ITT Goulds Pumps’ experience in slurry transport and dewatering, this
SPX FLOW is still fresh. However, what is immediately clear is that bringing together expertise in both slurry transport and mixing, the mining industry will be better equipped to understand how material behaves and to address challenges before they impact production. n
type of insight now extends across the entire process. It’s possible to evaluate how material is delivered into a tank,
JUNE 2026 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za MODERN MINING 37
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