Mining in Chile is concentrated in the Norte Grande region spanning most of the Atacama Desert. The Atacama Desert lies 60 km southeast of Calama and is known as the driest desert in the world. The biggest challenge for mining companies is the lack of water, which is vital to the mining processes for concentrating and leaching. Most mining companies extract water from aquifers located high in the Andes Mountains, while some get it pumped from the coast.
The mine that requested a solution from RUD, extracted copper and molybdenum ore from depths of 1000 mts. This mine used a pump that transported water through 144 km of pipes from the coast to the mine site.
The pump to transport water was huge, and its size and weight over several tonnes posed several challenges during maintenance and repair work. The mining company could only use shackles rated at 40kg per shackle and the weight of the total number of shackles to raise the pump made it impossible with this option.
To solve the weight problem, RUD offered a solution of using adjustable ICE endless chains with a nominal thickness of 16 mm. ICE endless chains are used to lash an object directly without lashing or lifting points. The advantage of ICE endless chains is that it can be secured and opened without tools and the chain can be adjusted in its loop diameter. The ICE endless chain can be used with an ICE multi-shortening claw to form a closed chain.
A safe solution weighing only 11 kg per chain with the overall weight reduced by 70%.
For more details on how RUD can help with your lifting requirements, please call us on 07 3809 1300 or fill out an enquiry form here.
Sources:
RUD Australia will be closed from Monday 25th December until 2nd January inclusive.
For emergencies, please call our main line on 07 3809 1300 and one of our team will help you.
Christmas/New Year Trading Hours:
| Normal Trading Hours | Monday 18/12/2023 – Friday 22/12/2023 |
| Closure Period | Monday 25/12/2023 - Monday 01/01/2024 |
| Normal Trading Hours | From Tuesday 02/01/2024 |
