Gamboa, U, Castilla, A & Castro, S 2026, 'Paste plant feed optimisation using a piston diaphragm pump', in AB Fourie, M Horta, M Oliveira & S Wilson (eds), Paste 2026: Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-11, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2655_55
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/2655_55_Gamboa/)
Abstract: In the mining backfill industry, significant focus is placed on the use and optimisation of paste plants, which prepare the paste recipe essential for achieving an efficient, safe, and cost-effective backfilling process, particularly in minimising cement consumption. However, when optimising the entire paste preparation process, the material received by the paste plant itself is not always duly considered.
This paper presents the work undertaken to optimise the operation of the Magdalena (MGD) paste plant at Sandfire MATSA mining operation through an improved tailings feed with a solids content of up to 73% by weight. This was made possible by replacing the existing deep-cone thickener pump system in the mineral processing plant with an ABEL piston diaphragm pump. Before this modification, the limitations of the previous pumping system and the tailings pipeline feeding the MGD paste plant imposed restrictions on feed tonnage, negatively impacting the facility’s backfill capacity.
Located in southwest Spain, Sandfire MATSA is at the forefront of innovation in mining processes and equipment, driving efficiency and environmental sustainability. A testament to this commitment is its adoption of piston diaphragm pumping technology, making it the first facility in the world to pioneer this innovation for cemented paste fill at the Aguas Teñidas (ATE) paste plant.

Keywords: paste plant feed optimisation, piston diaphragm pump, high-density tailings