Comprehensive pumps manufacturer Hazleton Pumps expects to deliver two Hippo model 200MH slurry submersible absorbing 185 kW pumps to the Kearl oil sands project, in Canada, by the end of next month.

“Owing to the general economic slump experienced in South Africa and more specifically the slowdown in mining activities locally, an export order like this not only sustains the company but also earns vital foreign exchange for South Africa,” Hazleton MD Thys Wehmeyer tells Mining Weekly.

The oil sands project, located at Kearl, 70 km north of Fort McMurray, in Alberta, is one of Canada’s highest-quality oil sands deposits with an estimated 4.6-billion barrels of recoverable bitumen resources, which will help meet North America’s energy needs for the next 40 years.

“Kearl represents the next generation of oil sands mining projects, with technologies that significantly enhance its environmental performance and the environmental innovations that include on-site water storage to eliminate river withdrawals in low-flow periods, progressive land reclamation, earlier tailings reclamation – compared with other oil sands operations and a state-of-the-art waterfowl deterrent system,” explains Hazleton.

The Hippo pumps are currently being manufactured and assembled at Hazleton’s Sunderland Ridge factory faci- lity, in Centurion, Gauteng, using 100% locally sourced components.

Once completed, the Hippo model 200 MH slurry submersible pumps will be used on a barge at the Kearl lake to process mature fine tailings.

Both pumps will operate at two different duty points. The one duty point required will be for the pump to deliver 220 m3/h at a head of 108 m, while the other required duty point will deliver 400 m3/h at a head of 84 m, depen- ding on varying operating conditions, such as the volume and head required to be pumped.

According to the pumps supplier, owing to it having the best efficiency at both operating points, the Hippo model 200MH slurry sub- mersible pump will be capable of handling both applications when required.

The Hippo medium-voltage slurry submersible pumps range, which was designed and developed in South Africa, has contributed to a major portion of the company’s export growth. According to Wehmeyer, the pumps will be capable of handling both applications at both duty points when required.

“Every pump that is exported and operates successfully is a valued contribution of not only proof of the abilities of the company specifically, but also for South Africa – to produce products capable of servicing an ever growing mining market in overseas countries,” Wehmeyer further tells Mining Weekly.

Hazleton Pumps was requested by oil and gas exploration, development and production company, Canadian Natural Resources, to guarantee total cost of ownership of Hazleton products supplied to the oil sands mine.

The long-life expectancy of the Hippo pumps as well as the low exchange rate of the rand against the US dollar and the high cost of labour in Canada enabled the company to guarantee total cost of ownership.