While mining companies still mainly use manual valves, the demand for automated valves in brownfield and greenfield mining developments is growing, says Pace Valves’ Martin Horsfall.

“This appears to be driven by plant operators’ desire to improve production efficiencies and reduce waste through increased central control, while also reducing plant operational employment costs,” he adds.

Horsfall further tells Mining Weekly that one of the challenges in some regions of the African mining industry is a lack of operator skills in using, maintaining and installing valves.

He says Pace Valves deals with this challenge by involving plant operational personnel and management in root cause problem analysis, and in the application of appropriate working practices.

Pace Valves supplies a range of manual and automated valves for a variety of applications, from benign to severe service. The company’s philosophy is to provide customers with economical, fit-for-purpose solutions for the isolation and control of fluids in process or reticulation systems.

This is acheived through applying technical expertise and experience accrued over 34 years of business, coupled with an extensive and cost-effective supply chain .

“Our business with the mining industry includes direct maintenance, repair, operations supply and project execution through engineering contractors, where valve packages typically include a variety of designs, materials and pressure ratings.”

Horsfall says the company has an extensive project-supply execution record in the copper, chrome, diamond, gold, platinum, uranium and minerals mining and processing industries, with an installed base that includes South Africa and most sub-Saharan Africa countries.

In addition, he notes that the company can provide on-site commissioning or technical support, regardless of site location,
and that it stocks a variety of valves of up to diameter nominal (DN) 600, as well as pneumatic valve actuators.

To add to its range of valves, Pace Valves subsidiary, Floval, locally manufactures multifunctional control valves for liquid service, that are low-maintenance and are rated for line pressures up to 25 bar, Horsfall states. The valves are manufactured in sizes of up to DN300, and valve types include those used to reduce, relieve or sustain pressure, as well as level control valves, and also those with solenoid control for stope isolation.

The stope isolation designs include single or dual-valve systems. The latter can simultaneously isolate air and water supply lines through a common solenoid assembly.

“With our extensive valves portfolio we can ensure that our clients are offered the best possible service.”