Global Pumps’ Fire Protection System for WA Lithium Mine

A Western Australian lithium project, poised to double its production capacity from 3 MTPA to 4 MTPA by 2030, required a robust fire protection system to support its expanding paste plant.
The facility’s high output of 160 m³/h of paste demanded a fire water pump system capable of delivering exceptional performance and reliability.

The Challenge

A Tier-1 lithium project in Western Australia has planned a significant production increase from 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in 2024 to 4 MTPA by 2030. To facilitate this growth, they are developing a new paste plant capable of producing up to 160 cubic metres per hour (m³/h) of paste. This new plant requires not only several process pumps but also a robust fire water pump system to supply water for the site's fire protection system.

The Solution

Global Pumps secured the contract to supply and manufacture all pumps required for the lithium plant project, including the critical fire water pump system. This system was meticulously designed to comply with the stringent regulations of AS2941:2013 and meet the project's specific requirements.

The Fire Protection System:

• Redundancy Protection: Featuring a primary electric motor driven pump, a secondary diesel driven pump, and a pressure maintaining jockey pump, this fire pump system ensures uninterrupted fire protection.
• Heavy-Duty Construction: All pumps are mounted on a single, robust base with interconnecting pipework for optimal efficiency.
• Southern Cross Powerhouse Pumps: The primary and secondary pumps are high-performance Southern Cross ISO centrifugal pumps, capable of delivering the required flow rate of 20 litres per second (L/s) at an impressive 80 metres of head.
• Reliable Power Sources: The primary pump utilises a 37 kW electric motor operating at 2955 RPM, while the secondary pump leverages a 41 kW, radiator-cooled diesel engine running at 2600 RPM, ensuring reliable operation under any circumstances.

Global Pumps successfully completed the fire protection system within the agreed-upon timeframe, ensuring the lithium mine expansion could proceed on schedule.

The Result

With this high-quality fire water pump system in place, the owners and operators can rest assured that their assets and personnel are protected in the event of a fire.

Looking for a Reliable Fire Pump Solution?

Global Pumps' team of experienced engineers can be your partner throughout the entire process, from design and manufacturing to commissioning your custom fire pump sets – whether it be a diesel fire pump or electric fire pump.

Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and ensure your mining site has the fire protection it deserves.