LAPIS Slurry Seal Offers 3000 Hours of Continuous Operation at Gold Mine in Mexico
At one of the largest gold mines in Mexico, the arid conditions in the region mean clean water is expensive and hard to come by. Therefore, mechanical seals are the preferred sealing solution for slurry and non-slurry pumps alike. Most GIW® Slurry Pumps operating at site already feature single mechanical seals with a grease quench, both supplied by a leading third-party seal OEM.
Inadequate Mechanical Seals Spare Parts Supply and Support Required an Alternative Solution
The seals in the GIW® LCC-H200 pumps responsible for delivering underflow from the thickener were performing adequately, typically lasting 2000 hours before wearing out and requiring replacement. However, the client reported challenges with supply of spare parts and support from the seal OEM, leading them to seek alternative suppliers for these seals. Furthermore, seal performance in mill duty and high-pressure service was less than adequate, and the client stated a preference to have a more technically suitable solution for these installations in the future.
KSB GIW, Inc. Offers an Alternative Solution
KSB GIW presented a direct alternative to the customer’s current shaft seals, the KSB C100-115M1-LAPIS GQ-LCC in Q2Q2VMG3 material, which could be outfitted to the pump during an upcoming service overhaul as part of a retrofit kit. The client insisted that the new seal must outperform the incumbent seal by 50% for KSB to prove its technological capabilities and to be considered a trusted seal provider in the future. KSB GIW accepted this challenge and delivered the seal along with an emergency spare, to compliment inventory also being held at the factory. The seal was installed and commissioned in October of 2025, which also included 2 days of training on proper installation and maintenance of mechanical seals.
KSB LAPIS Seals Exceeds Expectations, Delivering 3000 Operating Hours
In March of 2026, KSB’s LAPIS seal surpassed 3000 hours of operation on the service class 3 slurry and continues to operate as of the writing of this report. The results are a testament to the superior design and quality of KSB’s mechanical seal product and extensive expertise in the application of mechanical seals in mining applications. The client now plans to install LAPIS seals onto other GIW® Slurry Pumps on site, including those in service class 4 applications.
KSB LAPIS Developed Exclusively for GIW® Slurry Pumps
The KSB’s LAPIS seal is the only mechanical seal on the market which was developed exclusively for use in GIW® Slurry Pumps, and therefore boasts some additional technical benefits made possible by the close internal coordination between product development experts familiar with the design and application of both slurry pumps and mechanical seals. LAPIS takes features proven in slurry applications (like grease quench, clamp collar torque transmission, and robust material selections), and incorporates a series of targeted improvements, including:
- Integral ring within the grease quench distribution channel, which provides continuous clearing action to the protected springs, discouraging the build-up of solids.
- Oversized springs and dynamic o-rings for maximum radial deflection and axial displacement capability
- Thickened sections for maximum life in the presence of abrasive and corrosive wear
- Wet side installation and removal of the seal cartridge (standard design feature), minimizing the steps involved in the seal replacement process.
- Self-centering and self-aligning design, fully integrated with the LCC pedestal, which minimizes potential installation errors.
