Voisey’s Bay - 2005 dewatering project

SNC Lavalin, the engineering firm responsible for the design and build stages of Inco’s Voisey’s Bay mining facility (IM, Operations Focus, February 2006), had a dewatering project of an urgent nature last year. So, the company contacted ITT Flygt’s Dewatering & Rental division. SNC Lavalin needed to quickly start lowering the water level of the Headwater Pond on the project site. For the first phase of the project, SNC Lavalin was required to pump 1,900 m3/hr from Headwater Pond to Otter Creek, and during the second phase the flow rate would increase to 4,700 m3/hr.

ITT Flygt studied the requirements carefully and offered several different options involving both submersible and engine driven pumps. SNC Lavalin ultimately chose a package comprising three 65-kW submersible pump units that delivered 1,900 m3/hr for the first phase. An additional three identical pump units were added for the second phase. Flygt also supplied all accessories required to connect the pumps to the existing piping system. In addition, the Flygt Flotation Module, a light-weight and cost-effective alternative to the traditional steel pontoon, was used and other accessories were made available on a “Ready to Rent” basis.

The total project time frame for ITT Flygt was some 11 months.