PUMPS & VALVES
Nico Erasmus, FLS Vice President and Head of Pumps, Cyclones and Valves (PCV) in Africa.
The KREBS ® gMAX ® cyclone manifold is engineered for high- throughput classification, supporting efficient separation and consistent performance in demanding mineral processing circuits.
FLS evolves KREBS ® pump technology to meet rising on-mine demands As mines become larger, more complex and increasingly remote the demands placed on pump systems continue to intensify. Mining companies are seeking higher throughput, greater reliability, improved energy efficiency and longer equipment life, often while expanding production within existing plant footprints. A ccording to Nico Erasmus, FLS Vice President and Head of
ultra heavy-duty pumps, other applications benefit from high efficiency designs that reduce both energy consumption and lifecycle costs. “Customers are under enormous cost pressure,” Erasmus emphasises. “They want longer pump life, lower operating costs and improved efficiencies and that is where we believe FLS provides real value.” Sustainability objectives are also increasingly influencing equipment selection as mining companies work to reduce carbon emissions, minimise waste and improve resource efficiency. Erasmus says this has long been reflected in FLS’s engineering philosophy, which focuses on extending component life and maximising reuse. “Our focus has always been on reuse and recycling,” he says. “In our pump components, for instance, you may use three impellers during the life of a single casing, extending equipment life while reducing waste and lowering total ownership costs.” Beyond individual pumps, FLS applies a holistic process optimisation approach by integrating pumping systems with its cyclone technology, valves and gravity concentration solutions to improve overall circuit performance rather than individual equipment efficiency alone. Digital technologies are further enhancing this capability.
Pumps, Cyclones and Valves (PCV) in Africa, these evolving requirements are driving continuous innovation in pump technology, materials engineering and application support. “The growth of mega mines, particularly in copper and gold, has created a need for significantly higher pumping capacities,” Erasmus says. “At the same time, many operations are reluctant to expand their processing plant footprints and instead want to increase throughput within existing facilities while improving energy efficiency.” To meet these challenges, FLS continues to invest heavily in research and development with innovations shaped by the practical requirements of customer operations. Central to this approach is a comprehensive portfolio of KREBS® pumping solutions designed for different applications across the mineral processing value chain. “We don’t have one approach for every customer or every application,” he explains. “Our extensive KREBS pump range allows us to select the right solution for each duty, giving customers the flexibility to optimise both performance and total cost of ownership.” Selecting the most appropriate pump for each application enables mines to balance capital expenditure, operating costs and wear life. While highly abrasive duties may require
28 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | November 2026
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