The Toquepala copper mine operation includes an acid leaching system for copper extraction where ore is sprayed with a sulfuric acid solution. This acid and copper rich solution, called Pond Liquid Solution (PLS) is collected in ponds and then pumped back to the leaching plant. Beginning in 2007, Southern Peru Copper undertook a project to improve extraction of the PLS fluid, evaluate alternate system configurations and improve pumping efficiency.
Referred to as the Área 823 Sistema de Bombeo de PLS, the pumping system utilizes three pumping stations in series over the pipeline measuring 7-km (4.65 mi). Each pumping station is equipped with three pumps, two normally operating, rated at 1,100 m3/hr (11,341 gpm). Design head is varied according to the pumping station location along the pipeline to achieve high pumping efficiency, and ranges from 360-760 meters (1,181-2,493 feet). Pumps are equipped with variable speed drives for efficient capacity control.
System testing was conducted under a variety of operating scenarios to verify the design. Arturo Saenz,
mechanical design engineer at Southern Peru Copper’s Central Project Office, compared the measured flow over 14 tests to that predicted by their AFT Fathom model and found they agreed within 1%.
Asked about the advantages obtained modeling the system with AFT Fathom, Arturo commented that it reduced the time required for design analysis, provided clear results and confirmed a good design approach that saved money.
Southern Peru Copper’s Toquepala copper mine is one of four mining operations in Peru and Mexico within the SCC group (with associated metallurgical complexes). It is an integrated copper producer and was named the ‘Best Managed Metals and Mining Company’ in Latin America by Euromoney
