Polypipe supplies Rare Group with civils range

Pipeline solutions provider Rare Group has recently attained exclusive distributorship for Polypipe Civils’ range of Ridgidrain, Ridgiduct and Ridgistorm XL high-density polyethylene (HDPE) structured wall pipes for South Africa and Zambia.

The newly formed relationship with Rare will prove to be an integral part of overseas business. For Rare, it means an extended product offering to the mining and infrastructure market segments, with the company now able to supply large diameter – up to 3 000 mm – structured wall pipes and fittings, which are not yet manufactured in Southern Africa.

“In mines, where mineral extraction processes rely heavily on water, effective water management is essential,” says Rare CEO Renier Viljoen.

Ridgidrain is ideal for nonpressurised sub-surface draining applications with perforations at regular intervals along its full length to allow safe and gradual draining. Manufactured in HDPE, Rigidrain boasts good internal and external abrasion resistance, protecting the pipe against sediment in the wastewater and the rugged mine environment.

Geyser states that tailings management facilities are essential in ensuring the mine operates in an environmentally-conscious manner, and adds that the Ridgidrain system allows for the controlled seepage of treated water. The system can also deal with unpredictable fluctuations, owing to factors such as storm water.

Polypipe export sales manager Philip Wood explains that plastic piping systems, such as Ridgidrain, are up to 94% lighter than concrete alternatives, making them safer to install and easier to move around. Plastic piping also offers considerable environmental benefits.

“Production and transportation are simplified and use less carbon. The product can also often be reused elsewhere when a project ends. These factors are key considerations for mine operations and also make the product more cost effective. For these reasons, Ridgidrain is growing in popularity in the African mining market.”

Polypipe’s solution for sub-soil drainage is in operation at the tailings management facility of a gold mining project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Canada-based Banro Corporation’s Namoya mine houses a substantial tailings management facility to process the leftover materials and wastewater from the extraction of gold. The Ridgidrain thinwall drainage system was selected to provide effective sub-soil drainage. Polypipe supplied 1 386 m of 500 mm diameter Ridgidrain thinwall pipe and 190 m of the product in 600 mm diameter.

The product has also been installed in the first phase of the infrastructure work at the Marampa iron-ore mine project, in Sierra Leone. The work involved installing a pipeline that will drain water from the tailings dam to a local water treatment area.

We hope that our relationship with Rare will facilitate the further development and improvement of market awareness of Polypipe products in the Southern African market.