Limiting downtime because of valve repairs is important for mining operations, says control, isolating and safety valves manufacturer Hydromine Projects.

Therefore, the company offers mines the Hydrocore valves product range that has only one moving part, which can be accessed with the valve body in position, making regular maintenance easier.

“Hydrocore valves are designed to offer reduction in maintenance downtime, reduced operating costs and system flexibility, and our design makes troubleshooting and repairs significantly easier, compared with competing products,” says Hydromine Projects sales representative Gavin Russell.

He explains that, by removing the valve’s end covers and extracting the shuttle, the seals can be replaced and the shuttle refitted to resume operations in a short time.

“This removes the requirement to extract the body of the valve from the pipeline or system, which presents a massive time and cost saving to the end-user when dealing with valve maintenance.”

He adds that the valves have proven to be reliable and regular engineering improvements ensure that the end-user can enjoy a trouble-free operation for many years.

Russell says the valves are made of stainless steel that offers protection in harsh underground environments.

Meanwhile, Hydromine Projects manages to operate successfully in the African mining environment, as it is continuously adapting its business philosophy to keep abreast of market trends, he adds.

The company also continues its pursuit of “innovative products that offer synergy with ours and can help expand our scope into existing and new markets”, he says.

The company’s Hydrocore valves product range, which has been on the market since 1994, is used by mines for any isolation and control application, including pressure reduction, pump discharge control, column drain and water-hammer prevention, says Russell.

He tells Mining Weekly that Hydromine Projects keeps its technical expertise advanced and up to date through positive engagement with clients, which allows for a comprehensive understanding of client experiences, problems and frustrations. Subsequently, this enables the company to develop effective solutions.

Russell says the company focuses on producing valves – manufactured at its factory in Edenvale – that have innovative designs to assist the end-user in achieving maximum production output.

“Our success can be attributed to our willingness to adapt and our proactive relationships with our clients,” he concludes.