Engineering & Mining Journal

MAR 2016

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features. Imagine a mine operator with two or more sites either in close proximity or even hundreds or thousands of miles apart, and each site needs the level of control the system provides. By using a cloud-based system rather than having individual ser- vers at each site, the company not only saves thousands of dollars in equipment, setup and maintenance, but being cloud- based allows the mine to oversee all con- trolled activities from an individual site as well as from other authorized locations. E&MJ; : How are the primary components of the system deployed? Stoll: The system provides an open plat- form that makes it customizable and ex- pandable. It goes from very simple data collection of a flow meter to collecting data and controlling all the equipment installed from a central location. Pad components can be deployed in any variety of ways that include simply physically connecting the components into the piping network or in a way that makes them portable as the pad expands and grows. As with other equipment on a pad, the ability to move components quickly and with a minimum of damage is critical. Netafim works with the individual site on identifying the needed components but each site determines the best way to set the components up. E&MJ; : Is the system easily scalable to allow expansion of capacity? Stoll: Yes. One of the Netafim system's key attributes is its ability to not only scale upward or downward but also to allow basic monitoring or very advanced monitoring and control of any number of inputs. The value to the mine site is that as or if their needs become more complex, the Netafim system can grow with them without starting anew. E&MJ; : What types of data can be collected? Stoll: The Remote Terminal Units (RTU's) that are in the field send a radio signal to the base station and then to the software/ server for storage. For example, all the data is collected and stored so it can be used for analysis. The most common data collected is flow, temperature and pressure. Limits can be set so alarms can alert personnel if the flow/pressure is too high or too low. The dripline design is configured for certain in- let flows/pressures and if these parameters are above or below those limits solution flow to the pad could be compromised. Monitoring the flow and pressure across the leach pad can alert personnel that plugging may be occurring in the dripline, meaning the lines need to be flushed. The flushing logic can be programmed into the software to flush on a time schedule or when the flow differential exceeds a set point. These data points also show that the equipment is functioning correctly. E&MJ; : How can this data be utilized to improve performance? Stoll: One of the key maintenance issues with heap leaching is management of the dripline system and keeping the driplines operating at peak performance. The typi- cally unfiltered solution being delivered to the pad can create issues with drip emit- ters clogging and while the clogging can frequently be remedied, the manpower needed to do that can be expensive. By designing the pads in a way where- by the ends of the dripline laterals can be opened so additional flow is pushed through the dripline, the driplines can be "scoured" with the increased flow which creates turbulence in the dripline and dis- lodges contaminants from the inside walls of the tubing. This is a technique used in many industries including wastewater, flushing water mains, etc. E&MJ; : Can the system be tailored to meet specific operational objectives or reporting requirements? Stoll: The scalability of the Netafim system is purposely designed to support any level of control from the most basic to very complex. E&MJ; : Does the system require additional training for proper use? Stoll: Yes. Netafim offers training to the local technical personal on installation, troubleshooting and system operation. Service personnel are available for site vis- its and the site can call our office for trou- bleshooting help as well. Containing the Flow Not all technological advances take place at the top of the heap, however. The care and attention given to installation of the thermo- plastic sheets used in pad liner systems is an important factor in pad performance and longevity (See E&MJ; , May 2015, Trickle Down Economy , pp. 40–45). Accordingly, Leister Technologies, part of the Switzer- land-based Leister Group, introduced a new GEOSTAR wedge-based welder last year designed to quickly and efficiently join together those plastic sheets. According to Steve Hobbs, Leister's geo-systems manager for North America, "The GEOSTAR is a game changer," pro- viding nominal output of up to 2,800 W and peak welding speeds of up to 39 ft/minute, The operating unit (eDrive) pro- vides operators the convenience of a large monitor with digital real-time display of three key parameters―joint pressure, speed and wedge temperature—as well as an integrated voltage display that enables ongoing monitoring of welding parameters and voltage throughout the work process. The GEOSTAR provides one-hand oper- ation, integrated clamp/handle engage- ment and three parking and maintenance positions. Leister notes that the unit's gen- erous spatial dimensions for material input were taken into account in the design of the cast aluminum frame in order to accel- erate the starting process, and according to the company, the new wedge geometry allows the material to glide smoothly through the machine. 42 E&MJ; • MARCH 2016 www.e-mj.com H E A P L E A C H Leister's newest GEOSTAR wedge welder can fasten plastic pad liner sheets together at up to 39 ft per minute.

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