Modern Mining July 2015

PRODUCT News

Plastic piping range designed for mining detrimental impact on both productivity and the health and safety of workers.”

ing. Pipes are supplied in standard 6,1 m lengths and with pre-assembled steel Victaulic collars. Snyman comments that it is sometimes necessary to cut pipes when performing repairs, or to make up short lengths of pipe, which necessitates the removal of the steel collars. DPI Plastics supplies two products for such applications, namely the Ultralok PVC-M restrained coupling and the Minelok steel repair coupling. Drainflo pipe systems are used in the management of humidity and fine and aggressive slurries in underground mining haulage ways. The drain contributes to the control of heat loss, and overall safety in the work place. Airflo pipes from DPI Plastics have been developed in conjunction with various mining engineers to meet the industry’s requirement for a rough, ductile and lightweight pipe for the conveyance of pressurised air in underground min- ing applications. Airflo pipes are 7 bar (700 kPa) rated for maximum pressure, and are yellow for easy identification. Renier Snyman, DPI Plastics, tel (+27 11) 345-5600

Mining poses a particularly challenging environment for piping systems and prod- ucts. DPI Plastics claims to lead the market in terms of innovation and technology, having met the demanding needs of this industry for over two decades. Underground mining in particular has to contend with heat and corrosion issues, notes Renier Snyman,Technical and Product Manager at DPI Plastics. “Mining represents a very rugged and uncompromising envi- ronment, in which such issues can have a

DPI Plastics has developed a range of products with specific thermal and physical properties to be able to meet these requirements. The range consists of Mineflo, Drainflo and Airflo, all produced in high-impact PVC-M, and flexible PVC Duroflex mining hose. The mining hose is SABS-certified and has the added benefit of being fully com- patible with traditional hose fittings. This flexible PVC hose range is conveniently colour-coded orange for standard applica- tions, blue for medium duty and green for heavy duty. Duroflex is longitudinally reinforced with a fluted outer layer for added flex- ibility. These hoses are said to be ideal for both air and water applications and have a service temperature range of -10°C to 60°C. Mineflo pipes are produced in accor- dance with the requirements of the SANS 1283 specification for PVC-M pipe for cold water services in underground min-

Duroflex mining hose is conveniently colour-coded orange for standard applications.

58  MODERN MINING  July 2015