Pexgol Overcomes Extreme Dewatering Conditions in La Ciénega
A high-precision maneuver enabled the complete assembly of the system in record time, ensuring safety and operational continuity.
Case Study Nº
185
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Working Conditions
Pexgol Pipes
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The Challenge
At Fresnillo plc’s La Ciénega mining unit, located in Mexico, it was necessary to implement an underground dewatering system to transport water between two shafts spaced 150 meters horizontally and 240 meters vertically, using a single pump.
The project conditions were extremely demanding: the fluid—mine water with traces of chlorides, sulfates, calcium, magnesium, and iron—posed a high risk of corrosion and wear for conventional materials. Additionally, the installation had to be carried out through the ventilation tunnel (Robbins), which could only be temporarily stopped, leaving very limited time to complete the task.
Conventional solutions, such as steel or HDPE pipes, presented significant challenges in this type of application: difficult handling, numerous joints and long assembly times, added to the vulnerability of steel to corrosion under high pressure (440 psi) and the presence of abrasive minerals.
The Solution
Given these conditions, the Pexgol system was selected as the ideal alternative due to its resistance to abrasion, flexibility, and ease of installation. The installation included 500 meters of 6” SDR 6 (Class 30) Pexgol pipe and 1,500 meters of 6” SDR 15 (Class 11) pipe, supplied in long coils to reduce joints and ensure maximum safety and durability.
The pipe coil was transported to the mine entrance using a utility truck, and the maneuver required securing the line to the Robbins ventilation tunnel in a controlled reverse-feed process, guaranteeing correct alignment and minimizing potential failure points.
Due to the site’s operational restrictions—such as limited overhead space and the need to keep ventilation running—the full 500-meter installation was completed in record time, without incidents and in full compliance with mining safety standards.
Thanks to Pexgol’s on-site technical support, the contractor successfully executed the installation of this high-complexity system and completed the assembly within schedule. The result was a fast, safe, and highly reliable operation, demonstrating once again the robustness and performance of Pexgol systems in underground mining environments.
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