CiDRA Minerals Processing has announced that Altos Hornos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (AHMSA) has chosen CiDRA’s SONARtrac® flow monitoring systems as their preferred technology for use in two coal preparation plants owned by AHMSA, located in Coahuila, Mexico. The SONARtrac systems will be installed on the feed lines to dense media cyclones, flotation cells, column cells and mixing tanks, as well as on the thickened tailings underflow lines in both the La Florida and Palau plants. These plants prepare coal for later use in coking and energy production.
AHMSA is the largest coal and iron ore producer in Mexico, with corporate offices in Monclova, in the center of Coahuila. AHMSA is controlled by Grupo Acero del Norte, an industrial conglomerate that is active in the precious metals, mining and power generation sectors. AHMSA is also the largest integrated steel plant in the country.
CiDRA’s SONARtrac systems were chosen by AHMSA because of the system’s ability to provide accurate measurements of slurries containing magnetite, as well as its non-invasive design, which provides exceptionally high reliability, performance, and maintenance-free operation, thus lowering operating costs and total cost of ownership.
CiDRA’s SONARtrac flow technology is a new class of industrial flowmeter, utilising measurement principles that are distinct from all other flowmeter technologies operating in the mining industry. SONARtrac non-intrusive flow monitoring systems make no contact with the liquid or slurry and can be removed and reinstalled without process interruption. As well, SONARtrac systems demonstrate very stable output and superior levels of performance in the presence of highly variable fluid properties.