Prospect of Plastic Pipe in the Mining Industry

 HDPE plastic pipe is widely used in the mining industry due to its unique properties. The pipes are flexible, abrasion resistant, durable and can accommodate leak-free joints. They can be used in all types of weather and terrain, so they can be adapted to different site environments. They can also be joined together using heated fusion joints, which allows them to be used over long distances.

In the mining industry, PE pipes are also often used to ensure safe transportation through excellent chemical resistance. Mining pipes are used to transport process water, slurries and tailings. They are also used for solution mining, heap leaching, dust suppression, mine dewatering and pressure reduction.

Prospects for mining plastic pipes

The use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes in the mining industry is now more common than ever. Metal is no longer used in many applications, but HDPE pipe offers cost-saving benefits, flexibility for easy installation and handling, low maintenance, and superior strength and physical properties.

HDPE Mining Tailing Pipe

The problems of corrosive mining and the cost advantages of using HDPE and PE piping are forcing the mining industry to switch from metal to plastic piping. As a result, these pipes have recently reported a huge market demand.

The global market for plastic pipes is expected to grow and reach more than $40.1 billion by 2027. Although disruptions in activity due to Covid-19-related pressures may reduce demand by 7.1% this year, the market will rebound. According to Pipes & Fittings Market - Forecast (2020 - 2025) report, increased demand for plastic pipes from the mining industry is expected to largely drive this demand as mining operations continue to reopen after recent closures.

Reasons for the use of HDPE pipes in the mining industry

The biggest motivation for using HDPE piping in the mining industry is cost. Low-cost pipes help reduce the overall cost of mining. These cost advantages are amplified by the possibility of using HDPE in all-weather installations, ease of maintenance, and limited risk of incorrect assembly. In addition, HDPE is strong enough to resist damage from pressure changes when handling and transporting fluids during the mining process.

Another important reason HDPE pipe is used in the mining industry is the ease of fusion bonding. For these pipes, modern joining methods are easy to implement and safe. In addition, the joints are strong, kink resistant and easy to maintain. These joints are also resistant to large temperature fluctuations in extreme temperature climates.

As a result, advances in joining methods have led to an increase in the use of HDPE pipelines in the mining industry. In contrast, traditional methods are laborious and difficult.

HDPE Dredge Pipe

The use of HDPE pipe in mining also reduces the risk of injury during maintenance, installation, transportation and dismantling. For example, easier connections can prevent injuries that may result when moving and operating fusing equipment to release exhaust gases and fumes.

Advantages of HDPE and PE pipe in mining

Safety and reliability are the most important factors when selecting piping for the mining industry. In addition, pipes should be resistant to rust, rupture and corrosion. In addition, many companies are now exploring the use of environmentally friendly pipes in the mining industry.

The mining industry involves the use of chemicals, including overreactive and corrosive chemicals. The specific types of chemicals depend on what is to be mined. They include nitric acid, sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate, and heavy metals such as mercury and lead. Therefore, the corrosion resistance of PE and HDPE pipe is critical when used in the field for any application. The pipes must be protected from damage caused by these chemicals, thus preventing the loss of fluids in transit and even contamination of the product being mined.

PE pipes can be used in mining with low pH acid and high pH caustic solutions. They can be used in harsh chemical mining environments without incurring any additional costs due to damage. Their structural strength is also beneficial in mining because it helps prevent structural damage when handling solids and liquids under high pressure.

In addition to being expensive, the use of metal pipes can be chemically destructive. In contrast, PE pipes are low cost. You won't be adding unnecessary costs to the mining process. In addition, they have low labor costs when installing them.