⎪ Minerals processing and materials handling ⎪
GV Cyclones: enablers of responsible tailings management Modern, fit-for-purpose cyclones enable tailings contractors and operators to better manage deposition rates, enhance water recovery, and minimise risk, directly sup- porting compliance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, which sets the benchmark for safe management and the goal of zero harm. Multotec’s GV Cyclones reflect lessons learned from industry challenges, failures of polyurethane units, heavy steel units that were too difficult to handle, and operator frustration with hard-to-change spigots. The lightweight yet durable design, simple spigot- change system, and adaptable components make the GV Cyclones both operator-friendly and technically reliable. Placing cyclones at the core of a mine’s tailings management strategy is not optional but essential. While tailings management will always demand effective governance and good engineering practices, having the right cyclone is a small but powerful tool that supports continual improvement in TSF management. https://www.multotec.com/sa
and TSF requirements ensures fit-for-purpose equipment for tailings management applica- tions. This equipment flexibility considers evolving project needs throughout the life of the TSF. Process efficiency: Cyclones with opti- mised geometries ensure the optimal volu- metric split between overflow and underflow is achieved to match the required TSF rise rate. This supports faster tailings deposition and stable TSF wall construction while maxi- mising throughput without compromising process reliability. Operators can achieve the necessary balance of coarse fraction to the wall and fines to the centre, improving drain - age and enabling more reliable water recovery with Multotec’s GV Cyclones. Environmental impact: Modern cyclone designs enhance water recovery from tailings and improve tailings drying by ensuring that drier, coarser material reports to the wall, stabilising the TSF, while ensuring that finer, more liquid material reports to the central decant structures. This is especially critical because finer ore grinds, now increasingly common due to lower ore grades, reduce the natural supply of coarse material needed to construct the TSF wall. By improving water recovery and stabil- ity of TSFs, Multotec’s GV Cyclones mitigate both environmental and safety risks and help reduce the overall footprint of storage facili- ties. This is increasingly important in water- scarce regions, where responsible resource use is not only an environmental imperative but also a regulatory and operational one. Equipment optimisation: Safe and re- sponsible tailings management requires a collaborative knowledge-sharing approach between equipment suppliers, the mine owner, and the tailings contractor. Accurate sampling is critical, as poor sampling can lead to biased results and incorrect recommenda- tions. Multotec can mitigate this by directly assisting with on-site test work. Herbst adds, “Our value lies in being on
site, testing equipment under real conditions, and making sure clients have a cyclone they can trust.” “This ensures ongoing optimisation of cyclone performance, consistent efficiency through capacity and flowrate refinement depending on feed conditions, and cost- effectiveness by improving the cost per ton over the life of tailings deposition.” Blane Pillai, Applications Engineer at Multotec, says no two tailings dams are the same and cyclone selection, therefore, can- not be a copy-and-paste exercise. “Each site has different feed conditions and operating practices, which is why on-site testing is essential and is used to ensure that solu- tions are not only technically correct but also practical.” Multotec also provides training and sup- port to help close knowledge gaps among operators, thereby reducing risks associ- ated with TSF mismanagement. Prioritising these considerations in cy- clone selection allows mines to fine-tune their tailings strategies to achieve both operational and sustainability targets where above-ground tailings deposition in a TSF is the only option.
Prioritising the cyclone selection choice allows mines to fine-tune their tailings strategies to achieve both operational and sustainability targets.
Multotec’s GV Cyclones offer proven tailings management performance.
May-June 2026 • MechChem Africa ¦ 13
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