Under the contract, Weir Minerals will deliver two pontoons, each fitted with Weir Minerals South Africa-developed new plastic floats, and two Warman DWU high-head dewatering pumps, which are driven by electric motors.
Dorfner dewatering project engineer Uwe Bär said that Dorfner has selected the system due to availability of a complete integrated pumps and pontoon system including all of the necessary operator safety features.
"We are also in regular contact with Weir for maintenance of our process circuit pumps, so it will be an advantage to have a single point of contact in the unlikely event we encounter any issues with the new system.."
The new mine dewatering pontoon will replace the existing dewatering system at the Hirschau mine, which produces Kaolin, Quartz sand and Feldspar materials.
The Kaolin, Quartz sand and Feldspar materials are used as fillers in a wide range of manufactured products as well as in the ceramics and glass production industries.
Weir Minerals Europe managing director Tony G Locke said, "Systems like this are a common sight in the southern hemisphere at the large open-pit mining operations that are common in South Africa, South America and Australia, but they are less frequently used in European mines."