Chilean mines, particularly those for the extraction of copper, are mainly located in the north of the country, in desert and mountainous regions. The geographical location of these industrial sites presents major logistical challenges, as they are located far from the main population and supply centres. Added to this is a climate characterised by large daily temperature fluctuations, with differences of more than 20°C between day and night, and high UV exposure, often exceeding index 12. These factors make the choice of materials a critical element in ensuring the proper functioning of mining facilities and installations.
Project Description
The mining sector, it turns out, is one of the most common situations in which compression couplings are used, particularly in leach piles. These heaps, true artificial mountains, are formed by accumulating the raw material extracted from the mine and subjected to a grinding process. The mineral, reduced to fragments of a specific size, is layered to form a kind of ‘cake’. A network of polyethylene pipes is then built over these layers, designed to distribute an acid solution that facilitates the separation of copper from the stone in the form of sulphate.
These leaching pads are in constant evolution. Once the process of extracting copper from a batch is complete, the polyethylene mesh is dismantled added and replaced if necessary. starting the cycle all over again. For this reason, it is essential that the components used, such as compression fittings, are durable and easily reusable, ensuring operational efficiency and always.
Products Applied
Given the complexity and extreme conditions of mining sites, the products used must be extremely durable, of high quality and easy to install. In this context, the Blueseal PN 16 fitting with black nut was chosen as the ideal solution, as it meets the requirements of the industry. This fitting, recognised for its solid design and reliability, is widely used in mining due to its durability and ease of use.
Blueseal’s range of compression fittings consists of over 300 items, varying in shape, size and application. It includes sleeves, elbows, 90° tees, plugs and other components, which can connect pipes with diameters ranging from 16 mm to 110 mm. Particular attention is also paid to the choice of materials, such as the Viton O-ring seal and the PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) grip ring, elements that offer exceptional resistance to contact, such as in this case acid solutions used in the leaching process.
Customer feedback
Thanks to their reliability and performance, SAB’s compression fittings have become a reference choice at Chilean mining sites. Mining customers have commended the SAB range for its excellent price/quality ratio, highlighting how the products offer remarkable strength and durability. In addition, the ease of use and reuse in harsh environments, such as mining, was particularly appreciated, helping to improve operational efficiency by reducing overall maintenance costs
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