Mining operations don’t stop. At Newmont’s Tanami gold mine in the Northern Territory, every hour of downtime costs thousands of dollars. Fuel, lubrication, and compressed air systems need to run around the clock and the piping system behind them has to be reliable, safe, and easy to maintain.
The Challenge: Harsh Conditions & Zero Tolerance for Downtime
At Tanami, all site power and equipment run on diesel. That means the fuel and lubrication lines are mission-critical. The original welded piping system posed three major problems:
- High fire risk: welding on-site required hot works permits and increased safety concerns.
- Remote location: flying in welders for repairs or upgrades was costly and slow.
- Downtime was not an option: even small interruptions meant production delays and lost revenue.
The Solution: Press Fit Pipe for Mining
To overcome these issues, the mine upgraded to a press fit pipe system. Using stainless steel press fittings, the team installed new lines for fuel, lubrication, and compressed air without welding.
The Results at Tanami Mine
- No hot works required: safer installation with reduced fire risk.
- Fast installation: pressing tools allowed joints to be completed in seconds, not hours.
- Durable & corrosion-resistant: stainless steel withstands harsh mining environments.
- Lower maintenance costs: repairs and expansions can be done quickly without flying in welders.
The Results at Tanami Mine
- Installation completed in a fraction of the time compared to welding.
- Improved safety by eliminating hot works in a hazardous environment.
- Reduced long-term maintenance costs and greater system reliability.
Why Press Fit Stainless Steel Pipe Is Ideal for Mining
Mines like Tanami need systems that work as hard as they do. By switching to press fit pipe for mining, operators gain a safer, faster, and more reliable solution that minimises risk and keeps production on track.
Ready to Strengthen Your Mine’s Piping System?
Air Energy has supplied compressed air piping systems to Australia’s toughest mining sites for over 30 years. We know the challenges and deliver solutions that perform under pressure.
Download our Europress spec sheet or call us on 1300 139 559 to talk about your project.