The mine required continuous dewatering to enable expansion within a geothermally active volcanic caldera, where water accumulation was caused by:
- Heavy rainfall
- Seawater seepage into the pit
Key challenges included:
- Installing pumps at 175 m depth inside an angled casing
- Managing high loads from large submersible pumps (350 kW units)
- Operating in harsh and unstable conditions
- Ensuring safe suspension and lowering of pumps
- Maintaining high flow rates for effective dewatering
Traditional rigid systems would have added complexity, weight, and risk in such an environment.
Crusader Hose provided Flexibore® (8”) as the flexible rising main to support and operate the dewatering system.
The system design included:
- 3 × 350 kW stainless steel submersible pumps
- Pumps suspended using Flexibore® as a load-bearing system
- 175 m installation depth within angled poly-pipe casing
- Power cables integrated with the hose
- Diesel generators supplying power to each pump
Key advantages of Flexibore®:
- High tensile strength, capable of supporting loads up to 16 tonnes
- Continuous hose length, simplifying installation
- Flexible design, allowing smooth lowering into angled casings
- High burst pressure ensuring safe operation
- Ease of handling, reducing installation complexity
The hose acted both as a fluid transfer system and structural support, enabling safe and efficient pump deployment.
The Flexibore® system delivered strong operational performance:
- Safe installation of pumps at 175 m depth
- Flow rate per pump: 168 litres per second
- Reliable operation under extreme environmental conditions
- Efficient installation process, reducing complexity
- Stable and secure suspension of heavy pumps
Customer feedback:
“I was impressed at how efficiently the system worked. Our company will look for more opportunities to partner with such a reputable supplier as Crusader Hose.”
— Gabriel Hoascar, Taranis Power