Mexico a Global Example of Dry Stacking

Q: What are the most common filtering problems mining companies face and how does MFISA address these?

A: The problems vary according to the process. For example, in a concentrates application, we look for cake dryness and retention but for a tailings application we look for fast cake release, even if the customer has some solids downstream. It can be argued that they are correlated, but the focus changes according to the most valuable asset the customer wants to recover.

Clays in tailings are a difficult problem to tackle because the moisture content is higher and the cake sticks to the cloths, which makes filtering a challenge. We offer cloths that have an exceptional cake release to keep the filters running.

A key factor that customers need to remember is that each time you start a large filter installation, fine-tuning takes time. It is important to secure the necessary consumables to avoid stopping this process. At MFISA, we offer options to keep the process going, as well as finding the best solution for our clients.

Q: What makes MFISA the right choice in the market?

A: We strive to offer the best financial balance for our clients. There is no universal solution in filtration; A tradeoff is necessary according to valuable material being recovered or collected, without generating excessive costs. To meet the requirements of our clients, we contact the interested parties involved in the process. We listen to everyone's voice to understand their objectives and concerns, especially those in the line.

We follow the usage patterns of our customers and recommend changes to anticipate and avoid any problems. Once we find the best solution, we provide our customers with a continuous operation, avoiding both quality and supply problems.

Q: What makes MFISA a good fit for managing risk assets such as tailings?

A: We make sure that the filter’s performance is the best in the market and above all, the best option to solve the problems of our customers. Tailings filters are very important because they are at the end of the whole mining process. We need to make sure they are running efficiently to avoid any operational delays or stoppages.

As stated, for tailings, we offer quick cake release with exceptional durability. Additionally, this reduces the water content of the cake so we can return the most amount of the water to the process. As customers get lower moisture content in tailings, a more stable dry stack is achieved. In addition, MFISA is continually looking for new polymers and textile constructions to improve our offer.

Q: How does company's filtering solutions compare to others in the market?

A: We offer exceptional service to our customers. Our goal is that our customer gets the best performance by choosing our cloths and running without interruptions. So first, we check if they are using the right fabric for their process. Second, we make sure that their operations are continuous, as well as identifying potential risks. We study their consumption pattern so we can prevent other problems.

Once a product is shipped, we are committed to getting it to the mine on time and in good shape. We provide personalized treatment because we know that filters are key pieces for an operation to work efficiently. Our processes are endorsed by our ISO9001 certification, which we use as a philosophy to ensure we meet the highest requirements of the industry.

Q: How long does the company's filtering solution last and how does it compare to others?

A: We were recently talking to a customer about this exact issue. Although strength and durability are valued, they should not be the only deciding factors because the overall filter performance must be considered. What is the purpose of a long-lasting cloth if it does not release the cake fast enough? Also, what is the point of a good cake release if a good deal of time is spent replacing the filters’ cloths? The overall filter performance should always be the prime concern. In MFISA, we always keep this in mind.

Q: How do the company's dust collection bags help miners better comply with air quality regulations?

A: In mining, greater importance usually is placed on wet filtration because they help mining companies to recover the most valuable resource, which is the mineral. However, the dry part is also important, especially to comply with regulations. Clients need to take care of both elements, without neglecting the other. However, I believe that tailings filters should be the priority.

Q: How is MFISA contributing to a more sustainable future?

A: Dry stacking is the best solution for tailings in terms of environmental impact because the rehabilitation is faster and there are fewer risks. A couple of years ago, I attended a conference on dry stacking in Africa, where the leading examples of successful cases were Mexican mines. We are a global example for dry stacking and MFISA is proud to be among the suppliers to these leading mines. We must ensure that future generations continue to trust mining and we are happy to help by offering ecologically and economically viable solutions.