A team of pumps from
Operated by Hellenic Copper Mines, the 4,000-year-old Skouriotissa copper mine in Cyprus is one of the oldest operational mines in the world.
Integral to the day-to-day operation of the mine, the pumps remove groundwater, rainwater and highly acidic liquids (pH 2) unearthed by explosive excavation. The pumps have been working fault-free at the site for two years and counting.
Pumping muddy water with low pH levels in an area common for explosions may not sound like your typical island holiday but that’s exactly what a team of Tsurumi pumps are doing in Cyprus. The pumps are responsible for ground water clearance and general dewatering at the Skouriotissa copper mine in the north of the country. The open air mine is rife with high levels of acidic solutions that measures 2 on the pH scale. In addition to this the mine regularly uses explosives to excavate new ore.
Pumps and mines go hand-in-hand on this job, as land is excavated groundwater is unearthed, which must be removed quickly to keep the site safe and functioning at maximum efficiency.
The first Tsurumi pump was installed at the site in 2011, and all have been working fault-free since then. The only replacement part required so far has been a solitary power cable, and that was only needed after it was accidentally cut.
The Tsurumi pumps are mobile units that are moved around the site to wherever they are needed. All of the pumps were supplied by D.I.S. Power Plant, Tsurumi’s Cypriot dealer. They include models from Tsurumi’s SFQ range, which are specially developed for corrosive liquids and made from austenitic steel, and the PU range, which is made from stainless steel and high-tech resin moulds making it durable and lightweight.
“Acidic liquids, explosions and outdoor work makes this a pretty challenging environment but our customer is delighted to have finally found a pump that works in this demanding and highly toxic environment,” says Demetris Demetriou, owner of D.I.S. Powerplant.
As well as safety being a top priority at the mine, Hellenic Copper Mines is committed to producing copper of the highest quality. To do this it employs the latest process of leaching, solvent, extraction and electrowinning to get the best out of the site. The results are impressive with the mine producing 8,000 t of copper cathode each year that measures 99.999% pure.
