Abrasive and corrosive slurry can quickly wear out valves and lead to costly downtime. The use of products that are engineered for specific applications can reduce wear-and-tear and potentially increase the lifespan of mining equipment.

Such equipment should be specifically designed to suit the pressure of the system, the chemical make-up of slurries and the physical nature of the solids being processed.

Weir Minerals Africa asserts that it has a range of slurry valves that provide the right wear options, actuation mechanisms and control accessories to ensure optimal plant uptime.

The valves are suitable to operate under wide pressure and temperature ranges and valve sleeves are available in a variety of materials, including Linatex abrasion-resistant natural rubber. Wear parts can be replaced in the field, further reducing potential operational down-time.

The range includes mechanical pinch valves, with open or closed body, and pneumatic pinch valves with one-piece sleeve or two-piece liner. Isogate knife gate valves are suitable for heavy duty performance, even in coarse slurries, with pressure ratings from 10 to 51 bar. The valves are engineered for harsh and abrasive process flow conditions and aim to facilitate easier maintenance and lower costs. 

The company’s check valves are single, non-return units and have 20 years in-field experience in arduous slurry applications. Autoball valves, which are actuated with differential pressures, enable quick changeover between duty and standby pumps.

The Delta Industrial range of knife gate valves is a new offering, with the company guaranteeing zero leakage, due to the transverse seal and shear gate design.

The design protects the primary elastomer seal from the slurry flow to avoid wear, while a precision-machined metal seat provides a secondary seal. The transverse seal features an upper and lower scraper, with an elastomer that is energised by a pliable compound – even while the valve is in service. The valves have been in use for over two decades in mill circuits, tailings transport, mineral separation and leaching applications for slurries up to 120 bar working pressure.

Additional valves in the liquid service range include butterfly, diaphragm, globe and trunnion-mounted ball valves.