Southeast Asia coal mine operation aided by electric submersible pumps
20 Sep 2013
Six new Atlas Copco WEDA pumps, with an order for an additional 15 pumps expected later this year, has helped the Phonesak anthracite coal mine in Laos of Southeast Asia continue operations throughout the monsoon season.
The Phonesak Group, a diversified group of companies operating in Laos, is continuously looking for ways to be able to work through the 5-month-long annual rainy season without loss of productivity at their mine located 600km from Vientiane (Viangchan), the capital of Laos. The Phonesak mine is located in an area known for anthracite coal, a hard, compact variety with a high luster. It has the highest carbon content, the fewest impurities and the highest calorific content of all types of coal.
At the mine, the Phonesak Group decided to install six large Atlas Copco WEDA on-site submersible electric pumps (two each of WEDA 70H, WEDA 90H and WEDA 100), with a proposed order for an additional 15 pumps expected later this year. The WEDA 70H and 90H are high-head pumps, used to pump water over long distance and/or high elevation discharge sites (up to 84m head), while the WEDA 100 has a maximum flow of up to 20,200 lpm. The pumps will be used for dewatering when the heavy rains start to flood the mine.
Atlas Copco will support operations at the remote Phonesak mine by ensuring spare pumps as well as critical and wear parts are available when required. This is on top of a training package provided to operators and service maintenance staff, all leading to customer peace of mind during monsoon season.
Source: www.waterworld.com