FLSmidth vacuum disc filters play a vital role in preparing tailings slurry for backfill applications at the new Kamoa-Kakula copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Kamoa-Kakula copper project is a joint venture of Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%), Zijin Mining Group (39.6%), Crystal River Global Limited (0.8%) and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (20%).

According to Maria-Paula Lucero, sales and account manager of FLSmidth, the company provides four disc filters with a diameter of 3.8 m, each containing 14 vacuum discs. They are installed in two modules, each with two units. This provides a cost-effective dewatering strategy that allows the filter cake to be dried enough to be mixed with cement and other additives before being transported underground as backfill and placed in the goaf.

FLSmidth Project and Customer Sales General Manager Howard Areington said: "The effectiveness of the vacuum filter in this application allows the mine to consistently achieve its target dehydration level." "This in turn means that the amount of cement and additives can be optimized, thereby Reduce operating costs.” Areington emphasized that the vacuum disc filter is the preferred technology for tailings dewatering in backfill applications, and is the most cost-effective form of vacuum filtration per square meter of floor space.

According to Lucero, a series of auxiliary equipment was provided as part of the scope of supply. This includes a liquid ring vacuum pump capable of pumping nearly 15,700 m3/h at a pressure of 67 kPa, as well as a filtrate receiver and a filtrate pump with a capacity of 32 m3/h. FLSmidth also provided a 1,060 gallon fast air receiver, a 750 kPa air compressor, a factory air receiver and an air dryer. The water used in the filter vacuum pump must be drinkable, so it is very important to recycle as much as possible in the design. Therefore, it recirculates through a closed loop and adds a cooling tower to dissipate the heat in the water before reintroducing the water into the system.

"As disc filters provide drier and more water-efficient products, FLSmidth has provided this technology to many projects around the world," Areington said. "With FLSmidth's global reputation in vacuum filtration backfill applications, we have a large share of this market-and also provide some of the largest vacuum disc filters in use today."

He pointed out that a large part of the disc filter device is made locally in South Africa. It is delivered to the site in the form of components and installed by a third-party engineering company under the supervision of FLSmidth. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the manufacture and delivery of these devices have met customer expectations.

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