A Revolution in Mining Reliability
Mining is one of the harshest environments for mechanical equipment — especially for pumps that must move abrasive slurries, silt-laden water, and heavy solids without fail. In Colombia’s rugged Andean nickel mines, Cornell Pump Company’s Cycloseal®-equipped mining pumps have proven that durability and efficiency can go hand in hand.
Entering the Colombian Mining Market
Cornell Pump had long been a leader in agricultural and municipal markets across South America, but penetrating the mining sector was a tougher challenge. Mines often favored cheaper equipment with lower upfront costs — even when long-term maintenance expenses were higher.
Cornell’s Colombian distributor secured a contract to supply three Cornell 8NHTA-RP-EM18-3 units for a nickel mine dewatering system in the Northern Andean region. Despite initial hesitation from the mine operators, the results soon spoke for themselves.
9,000 Hours. Zero Downtime. Zero Repairs.
Since the installation, the three Cornell pumps have logged over 9,000 continuous hours of operation — without a single spare part replaced or any downtime recorded.
This flawless performance not only reduced operational costs but also eliminated production interruptions, a crucial factor in maintaining consistent nickel output.
Cornell’s achievement in Colombia mirrors similar successes across Australia and Indonesia, where more than 4000 Cornell mining pumps operate reliably under equally harsh conditions
What Makes It Work: Inside the Cycloseal® System
At the heart of Cornell’s mining pump reliability is its patented Cycloseal® system — a revolutionary mechanical seal protection design that dramatically extends pump life and minimizes maintenance.
How Cycloseal® Works
Cycloseal® uses a rotating deflector ring that generates a powerful vortex around the seal chamber. This spinning motion forces solids, grit, and slurry particles away from the seal faces, preventing abrasion and buildup. The system keeps the seal area clean and lubricated without the need for external flush water or additional equipment.
Why It Matters
In abrasive environments, seal wear is often the first point of failure. Traditional pumps require frequent seal replacements, each costing thousands in parts, labor, and downtime. With Cycloseal®, Cornell pumps routinely achieve:
- Up to 15,000 hours between seal maintenance in typical mining applications.
- Over 5,000 hours even when handling 3–5% silt-laden water.
- An average cost saving of $5,000 or more per avoided seal replacement event.
This not only reduces total maintenance costs but also boosts uptime — a direct productivity advantage for remote or continuous mining operations.
Efficiency That Delivers Value
Beyond seal life, Cornell pumps are recognized for industry-leading hydraulic efficiency. This means operators move more water using less energy — translating to lower operational costs throughout the pump’s lifetime.
Combined with the maintenance-free performance of Cycloseal®, the total cost of ownership is significantly reduced compared to standard slurry pumps
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Global Results That Speak Volumes
From the Colombian nickel mine to operations across Australia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Rim, Cornell’s Cycloseal® mining pumps have become the preferred choice for reliable, efficient, and low-maintenance dewatering. Each installation underscores the same principle: engineering excellence drives operational success.
Conclusion: Built to Endure, Designed to Save
Cornell Pump’s Cycloseal® technology isn’t just an innovation — it’s a proven economic advantage. By extending seal life, cutting maintenance costs, and improving energy efficiency, Cornell’s pumps empower mining operators to do more with less.
For mines seeking a long-lasting, efficient, and cost-saving dewatering solution, Cornell’s Cycloseal® mining pumps deliver unmatched performance — hour after hour, year after year.
Learn more about Cycloseal® and Cornell’s mining solutions: www.cornellpump.com
And see the application sheet this article is based on at: https://www.cornellpump.com/document/columbian-mining/
