This is an interim report by Wright Engineers Ltd., concerning the 1987 operation of the Airgold and Beron Placer tailings pumping systems.
The operating time achieved on both pumping systems has been too low to assess the effects of wear on the overall economics of the projects. At Beron, however, the pump failed due to a hole through the liner and casing after only 150 hours of operation. Wright's do not consider that the design/material selection has been optimized and steps have been taken to improve the life of the pump for 1988.
At Airgold, the pumping system was used for a total of 62.5 hours. The coupling connecting the pump to the diesel drive was replaced once and the replacement coupling has shown considerable wear. The failure of the coupling was probably due to misalignment which should be checked prior to reuse in 1988.
The test systems have proved that pumping of sluice tailings is practical, and may be economical, even when faced with the premature wear of the Beron pump.