Accurate tailings material reagent dosing and robust slurry handling are central to tailings retreatment performance, says mining pump solutions provider Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) global customer and mining sector insights lead Lars Varnbueler.

The company has an established presence in South Africa, with strong involvement in precious metals tailings retreatment operations in among others Rustenburg, North West province, while its Watson-Marlow tube pumps and Bredel hose pumps are widely used for tailings retreatment reagent dosing, he explains.

“These technologies are used across Africa in tailings retreatment, selected tailings storage facilities rehabilitation and acid mine drainage [AMD] treatment.”

In AMD neutralisation, pumps dose reagents, such as hydrated lime and limestone slurry, and the correct dosing supports treatment efficiency, process stability and regulatory compliance. Accurate dosing in thickening and settling improves water recovery and reagent efficiency, while overdosing increases costs and reduces performance, he adds.

Further, accurate dosing is critical in the flotation, leaching and conditioning processes of tailings treatment. WMFTS’s range of Qdos pumps provides precise dosing at lower flow rates, while Bredel and Watson-Marlow pumps handle higher flows. These pumps deliver less than 1% flow variation, notes WMFTS.

Varnbueler notes that full fluid containment improves safety and reduces contamination risk, while maintenance can be completed in situ to reduce downtime.

Qdos pump technologies are used in gold, silver and platinum group metals retreatment projects; these pumps are used for dosing flocculants, coagulants, frothers and other reagents across processing stages, says WMFTS South and sub-Saharan Africa sales team leader Ranko Seitei.

Seitei adds that Bredel hose pumps are used for slurry handling in thickener underflow and filter press applications because these pumps perform well in high-solids-containing abrasive slurries, with fluid contained within the hose to minimise wear on just one wear part, which is easy to exchange.

These pumps, tolerant of changing slurry composition and larger particles, can handle slurries with a solids by-mass of up to 80% and operate at pressures of up to 16 bar.

“They do not depend on a narrow best efficiency point. They can handle a wide range of fluid types without efficiency loss.”

Bredel pumps are self-priming and can run dry without incurring damage. They also do not require gland water systems, seals or valves, which reduces maintenance and simplifies installation. They also support high-solids slurry transfer without dilution, which reduces process-water use and supports higher underflow density, Seitei explains.

WMFTS’s technologies have improved efficiency in operations globally, including in Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico, the US, Canada, Scandinavia, the UK, Australia, India, China and South Africa.

Recent new product developments include the Bredel heavy-duty pump for abrasive applications, the NR transfer hose and monitoring tools, such as the Qdos pressure sensing kit, Varnbueler adds.

“These developments are the result of close collaboration with our mining customers, translating real operational challenges into targeted solutions. The NR transfer hose is designed to maximise uptime in abrasive slurry transfer by extending hose life and reducing unplanned maintenance, while the Bredel heavy‑duty pump focuses on robustness for the toughest mining environments, offering a wide range of high‑value configuration options to match specific site conditions. Together with monitoring tools such as the Qdos pressure sensing kit, these innovations help customers run more reliably, efficiently and with greater process confidence,” he explains.

Seitei says these technologies help mitigate risks such as blockages, wear and downtime, while robust mechanical components reduce failure points. Monitoring also allows for early detection of abnormal conditions.

“Tailings management is becoming more rigorously governed, with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management influencing practices. Integrated planning of tailings, water and closure is increasing,” says Varnbueler.

He concludes that there is growing interest in retreating historical tailings, which supports value recovery and reduces environmental risk.