Mining & Mineral Processing: Advanced Dewatering Solutions
Achieve Operational Excellence and Regulatory Compliance. Engineered solid-liquid separation for the world's most demanding slurry applications.
At Loway Equipment, we partner with mining operations worldwide to transform hazardous tailings slurry into stackable, stable cakes and reusable process water. We understand that in mining, dewatering is not just waste treatment—it is a critical profit driver.
Our focus is singular: delivering High-Pressure Filtration Technology that increases operational efficiency, eliminates environmental liabilities, and guarantees a clear return on investment (ROI).
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The Core Challenge: Managing Tailings & Wastewater
Mining operations face mounting pressure to manage by-products sustainably. Traditional wet tailings ponds are becoming obsolete due to environmental risks and land costs.
- High Disposal Costs: Hauling water-logged sludge eats into margins.
- Water Scarcity: In arid regions, maximizing Process Water Recovery (up to 95%) is non-negotiable.
- Strict Compliance: You must effectively contain heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg) and manage Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) with zero leakage.
- Extreme Wear: Equipment must withstand 24/7 exposure to highly abrasive slurries (Silica, Iron Ore, Copper).
The Loway Solution: High-Pressure Dewatering
For mining applications where Cake Dryness is the ultimate KPI, Loway’s High-Pressure Membrane Filter Presses are the unmatched solution.
By applying extreme squeeze pressure (up to 25 bar) utilizing membrane technology, we mechanically extract moisture levels that centrifuges and vacuum filters cannot reach.
The Loway Impact:
- Minimize Disposal Costs: Reduce sludge volume by over 50%, drastically lowering hauling fees.
- Dry Stack Implementation: Produce a solid, stackable cake suitable for modern Dry Stack Tailings (DST) management.
- Maximum Water Reclamation: Immediately recycle clear filtrate back into the grinding or flotation circuit.
Technical Advantages of Our Mining-Grade Presses
Our equipment is not adapted from light industries; it is engineered from the ground up for mining.
Heavy-Duty Construction
Reinforced carbon steel frames and abrasion-resistant plate designs to handle high-velocity slurry feed.
High Throughput
Models capable of processing 500–2,000 m³/day with rapid-discharge systems for 40% faster cycle times.
Energy-Smart Hydraulics
Intelligent power units achieve up to 35% lower energy consumption compared to conventional systems.
Full Automation
Integrated PLC (Siemens/Schneider) with automatic plate shifting and high-pressure cloth washing for minimal operator intervention.
Key Applications in Mining & Aggregates
Application | The Challenge | The Loway Solution & Equipment |
Tailings Management (Gold, Copper, Iron) | Managing risky, wet tailings ponds and strict dry-stacking regulations. | High-Pressure Filter Press. Squeezes slurry into a rock-hard cake (>80% solids), eliminating pond reliance and enabling safe dry stacking. |
Mineral Concentrate (Fine Metals) | High moisture reduces product value and spikes shipping costs. | Membrane Filter Press. Achieves minimum moisture limits for concentrates, ensuring premium pricing and reduced transport weight. |
Sand & Aggregates (Non-Metallic) | Washing plants require continuous, high-volume separation of silt and water. | Heavy-Duty Belt Press. Provides a cost-effective, continuous dewatering solution specifically for high-throughput sand washing and coal preparation. |
Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)(Environmental) | Treating acidic, metal-laden wastewater (low pH) to prevent pollution. | Corrosion-Resistant Press. Isolates heavy metals into a solid cake while producing compliant, neutral effluent for discharge. |
Process Water Recovery (Plant-Wide) | Freshwater is scarce and expensive in remote mining regions. | Close the Water Loop. Recover up to 95% of crystal-clear water from thickener underflow for immediate reuse in the grinding circuit. |
Why We Recommend Filter Presses for Mining: An Unbiased Assessment
At Loway, we engineer and build Filter Presses, Belt Presses, and Screw Presses. This unique multi-technology position allows us to provide truly unbiased recommendations.
For 90% of mining applications (Tailings, Concentrates, AMD), the High-Pressure Filter Press is the unequivocal technical choice. Here is the engineering logic:
1. The Core Priority: Ultimate Dryness
In mining, every percentage point of moisture costs money in hauling and storage.
- The Reality: Filter Presses deliver the highest possible cake solids (often 65-85% dry solids).
- The Benefit: This directly translates to the lowest mass for disposal and enables safe Dry Stacking, offering the fastest return on investment.
2. Why Not Other Technologies?
- VS. Belt Filter Press:
While good for sand washing, a Belt Press operates at low pressure. A Filter Press operates at 16-25 bar, squeezing out significantly more water. Furthermore, Filter Presses have no moving belts vulnerable to cutting or rapid wear from sharp ore particles. - VS. Screw Press:
The Screw Press excels with soft, organic sludge (like sewage). However, for hard, abrasive mining slurries, Screw Presses are not recommended. The abrasive friction would rapidly destroy the screw shaft and rings. Only a Filter Press can handle the abrasion while achieving the necessary dryness.
Our Commitment: We don’t fit your problem to our tool; we select the right tool from our full portfolio to solve your problem.
At Loway Equipment, we’re committed to helping you optimize your processes with reliable and efficient filter press solutions.
Contact us today to learn more about how our filter presses can help improve your operations’ efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
The Manufacturer Advantage: Why Partner with Loway?
Choosing Loway means bypassing intermediaries and working directly with the engineers who build your machines.
Unbiased Expertise
While we manufacture Belt Presses and Screw Presses, we recommend the Filter Press for mining because its core strength—maximum dryness—is the only way to solve the tailings volume problem.
End-to-End Quality Control
From laser cutting the frame to the final high-pressure hydro-test, every step happens in our owned facility.
Custom Engineering
We customize chamber sizes (up to 2000mm), pressure profiles, and corrosion-resistant materials (SS304/316L cladding) to fit your specific ore and site layout.
Global Parts Support
We stock critical wear parts (filter cloths, plates) for rapid international shipment (DHL/FedEx) to minimize downtime.
FAQ: Filter Presses in Mining
Have More Questions? Our technical team is ready to provide detailed, personalized guidance.
Q1:What types of mining operations benefit most from filter presses?
Filter presses are valuable for virtually all mining operations, including gold, copper, silver, iron ore, coal, lithium, and rare earth element mining. They’re particularly beneficial for operations in water-scarce regions, areas with strict environmental regulations, and mines producing high volumes of tailings or process slurry.
Q2: Q: What moisture content is achievable for mining tailings?
Depending on the ore particle size, our High-Pressure Membrane Presses can achieve moisture content as low as 15-25%. This is significantly drier than what thickeners or centrifuges can provide.
Q3: How do you handle the high abrasion of mining slurries?
We use specialized wear-resistant filter cloths (monofilament blends) and reinforce the feed ports. Our “Corner Feed” or “Top Feed” designs can also be used to minimize direct impact on the filter plates.
Q4: Can the system integrate with our SCADA?
Yes. Our PLCs feature standard communication protocols (Modbus TCP/IP, Profibus) for seamless integration with your central mine monitoring system.
Q5: What does the project process look like?
1. Lab Test: We analyze your sample.
2. Design & Quote: Fixed-price proposal.
3. Manufacturing: With weekly video updates.
4. Commissioning: On-site or remote support.
Q6: What level of automation is available for mining filter presses?
Our filter presses range from basic semi-automatic systems to fully automated solutions with:
PLC controls with remote monitoring capabilities
Automatic plate shifting systems
Integrated cake discharge mechanisms
Cloth washing systems
Real-time performance monitoring
Integration with mine-wide control systems
Predictive maintenance monitoring
Q7: What maintenance is required for a mining filter press?
Regular maintenance includes:
Filter cloth inspection and replacement (typically every 500-1500 cycles)
Hydraulic system checks and fluid replacement
Plate inspection for wear or damage
Seal and gasket inspection
Lubrication of moving components
Control system updates
We offer comprehensive preventative maintenance programs tailored to mining operations.
Q8: Can I use a Screw Press for tailings?
We generally recommend against it. The abrasive nature of mining slurry causes rapid wear on screw shafts. For mining reliability, Filter Presses or Belt Presses are the superior choice.
Q9: What is the expected lifetime of a filter press in mining operations?
With proper maintenance, our filter presses have an operational lifetime of 15-20 years. Components exposed to abrasive materials may require earlier replacement, but the main frame and structural components are designed for decades of service in harsh mining environments.
Loway Equipment Applications Across Industries
We are proud to have worked with clients from diverse industries, providing tailored filtration solutions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance operational performance.
