When durability leads to results: Kinross’s case study on MDX pump technology
With on-site technical support, application-specific materials, and the technology of the MDX 650, Kinross has achieved greater operational reliability, excellent component lifespan, and consistent results over the years.
Kinross: more than nine years of reliability and performance with MDX technologyKinross: mais de nove anos de confiabilidade e desempenho com a tecnologia da MDX
In mining, efficiency isn’t just a matter of productivity. It’s also a matter of predictability. The higher the equipment availability and the lower the need for unscheduled interventions, the greater the operation’s ability to maintain consistent results.
This was precisely the challenge that Kinross, one of Brazil’s largest gold producers, sought to address by investing in MDX technology for its slurry pumping operations.
Since the operation began in 2012, the project has been developed with a clear objective: to ensure high operational reliability in a demanding application by combining hydraulic performance, component durability, and specialized technical support.
But what set the solution apart went beyond the equipment itself.
Throughout the entire operation, Kinross relied on close technical assistance, specialized monitoring, operational support, and spare parts support, ensuring rapid responses whenever necessary and contributing to the swift resolution of day-to-day challenges.
Applied engineering to maximize results
The installation of two MDX 650 pumps resulted in significant performance gains for the operation, providing higher efficiency as well as improvements in pressure and flow parameters.
Another decisive factor was the precise fit between the impeller and the suction liner, which optimized hydraulic performance and reduced component wear. The use of adjustment kits helped maintain operational efficiency over time and facilitated maintenance activities.
In addition, the solution was complemented by the development and adaptation of materials to meet the specific needs of the application, ensuring better alignment with the mining company’s actual operating conditions.
The use of advanced engineering tools, such as GIW’s wear prediction software, also played an important role in the project. The technology enables the estimation of component service life based on the characteristics of the pumped material, providing valuable information for maintenance planning and operational decision-making.
Durability that translates into value
The results obtained over the years demonstrate the robustness of the implemented solution.
Components such as the housing and back plate achieved a service life of between 6,400 and 6,500 operating hours, while the rotor and suction liner recorded approximately 2,200 operating hours.
Another highlight is the durability of the bearing housing, which reached 9.5 years of operation—a significant achievement for a highly demanding mining application.
The use of Gasite material also contributed to enhancing wear resistance and increasing the system’s reliability throughout its operational cycle.
A partnership built to last
More than just supplying equipment, the project developed for Kinross demonstrates the value of combining engineering, technology, and specialized support.
After more than a decade of operation, the results prove that solutions developed in partnership with the client can generate sustainable performance gains, greater operational predictability, and cost reductions over the equipment’s service life.
Because, in mining, durability is not just a technical indicator. It is one of the factors that make the difference between keeping the operation running and helping it evolve.