Objective
Rapidly deploy a temporary water treatment plant to manage spring runoff (freshet) and lower the water level in the mine’s tailings storage facility to a safe operating level. The system needed to be operational quickly to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and avoid potential overflow risks.
Solution:
Tusk Automation collaborated with the client’s environmental consultant and multiple rental equipment vendors to develop an integrated control system that could bring together diverse process equipment into a cohesive, fully automated treatment system.
- Custom Control Strategy – Developed a control architecture to integrate rental equipment from multiple vendors into a single functional system.
- Control Panel & Instrumentation Supply – Designed, built, and installed control panels and field instrumentation to support the entire treatment process.
- PlantPAx for Rapid Configuration – Leveraged Rockwell’s PlantPAx DCS to streamline system integration, allowing for fast commissioning and real-time modifications during startup.
- Field Commissioning & Mechanical Integration – Our field team ensured that critical process equipment—including the chemical dosing system, Rapisand clarifier, and sludge handling systems—functioned as intended.
- Ongoing Support & System Optimization – Provided continued system updates, adjustments, and remote support throughout the duration of the project.
Our Role:
- Process Control System Design & Integration – Developed a flexible automation solution that brought together rental equipment into a single control system.
- Control Panel Fabrication & Instrumentation – Supplied and installed all required control hardware and field instrumentation.
- Field Startup & Commissioning – Ensured mechanical and control systems functioned correctly under real operating conditions.
- PlantPAx DCS Implementation – Used PlantPAx to enable quick configuration, easy system updates, and smooth operation.
Tusk Automation’s ability to adapt to an evolving equipment lineup and rapidly implement a cohesive control strategy ensured that the temporary water treatment plant was operational on time, allowing the mine to safely manage freshet runoff and maintain tailings facility stability.