Pexgol Ensures Reliable Operation in High- Demand Hydraulic Systems

Flexible installation, fast deployment and long service life for a mining project with over 300 m of elevation difference

Case Study Nº

187 Customer

Endeavour Silver

Mexico

2024

Working Conditions

Temperature: Ambient (pipeline exposed to direct sunlight) | Flow Rates: 1.4 m³/h – Tailings (6” SDR 7.3) 107 m³/h – Recovered water (8” SDR 4.5) 5.5 m³/h – Concentrate (50 mm SDR 11) | Pressure: 24 bar static pressure – Tailings line 32.3 bar – Recovered water line Free discharge – Remaining lines

Pexgol Pipes

Pexgol 2”, 3”, 4”, 6” y 8”

Application

Lenght

4 lines of 2,400 m each 1 line of 3,300 m

The Challenge

Endeavour Silver’s Terronera Mine required the design and implementation of a completely new hydraulic system, as no existing infrastructure was available on site. The project involved transporting ﬂuids over an elevation difference exceeding 300 meters, generating high velocities and varying pressure levels along the route. These demanding hydraulic conditions posed signiﬁcant operational risks, including:

Increased abrasion and wear
Vibrations within the piping system
Higher probability of premature failures
Construction challenges across steep slopes and uneven terrain

Additionally, the recovered water line operated in an ascending conﬁguration using pumping systems, while the remaining lines functioned by gravity. This required a versatile piping solution capable of adapting to different operating regimes while maintaining long-term reliability.

The Solution

To meet the project’s technical requirements, a Pexgol piping system was selected due to its unique combination of mechanical strength, hydraulic efﬁciency, and installation ﬂexibility.
The solution successfully addressed the complex routing conditions and demanding operating parameters.
Key Advantages of the Pexgol System:

Fast installation, reducing construction time
Flexible and lightweight pipes, ideal for complex topography
Supplied in long coils, minimizing joints and potential failure points
Excellent abrasion resistance for tailings and concentrate transport
High pressure resistance for static pressures exceeding 30 bar
UV resistance for exposed installations
Long service life in demanding mining environments

During execution, design modiﬁcations were required as the project progressed into more challenging construction stages. The inherent ﬂexibility of the Pexgol system, combined with technical support from the engineering team, allowed efﬁcient adaptation to new ﬁeld conditions.
Results Achieved:

Continuity of installation activities
Reduced construction risks
Optimal compatibility between material performance and real operating conditions
Compliance with performance, safety and reliability criteria