Polyurea Protective Coatings: A Game Changer in the Mining Industry

The mining industry has always been challenged with harsh environments, heavy machinery, and the need for durable, reliable infrastructure. Corrosion, wear and tear, leaks, and structural failures can lead to costly downtime, environmental risks, and safety hazards. Enter polyurea protective coatings—a solution that’s been revolutionizing the way we handle these challenges.

The Role of Polyurea Protective Coatings in the Mining Industry

Polyureas are a type of elastomeric coating known for their fast-setting time, extraordinary durability, and remarkable resistance to corrosion, abrasion, and impact. They also can be applied in a wide range of temperature conditions.  These unique properties make polyurea coatings particularly suited to the mining industry, where equipment and infrastructure are regularly subjected to harsh conditions. Polyurea can coat, line, protect or refurbish virtually any sort of mineral processing equipment.

Uses of Polyurea Protective Coatings in the Mining Industry

The Mining industry faces a number of challenges from operation—expensive downtime, short shutdowns and dangerous conditions – to environmental factors—temperature variations, chemicals, corrosion, abrasion and movement. Using polyurea protective coatings maintains the efficiency of equipment, the integrity of structures, increases service life, and prevents loss of productivity while reducing maintenance costs.

Corrosion and Abrasion Resistance

Mining equipment and infrastructure are constantly exposed to corrosive substances and abrasion, significantly shortening their lifespan. Polyurea protective coatings form an ultra-strong, elastomeric barrier that protects these assets, thereby outperforming traditional epoxy, polyurethane, and other hybrid products.

Quick Application and Return to Service

With their fast cure times applicators are able to build up multiple millimetres in one application and the area can be returned to service in a matter of hours.

Sealing and Waterproofing

Water infiltration can lead to significant issues in the mining industry, including structural damage and environmental concerns. Polyurea acts as an effective sealant and waterproofing solution, quickly sealing potential leakage points, like cracks in dams, walls, and other infrastructure.

Protection of Mining Assets

Machinery and equipment such as sludge processing/slurry tanks, clarifiers, pipelines, SAG and ball mill liners, silos, chutes, classifier and shaker screens, conveyor belts and rollers, trommels, concrete bunds/plinths, I-beams, hopper bins, ore cars, drill rigs, dump trucks, and excavators etc. can benefit immensely from polyurea coatings. Polyurea forms a protective layer over these assets, increasing their lifespan reducing maintenance costs and helping minimize corrosion in mining equipment.

Structural Reinforcement

Polyurea isn’t just protective; it can also enhance the structural integrity of mining infrastructure. It improves the durability and resilience of structures such as tunnels and shaft linings, allowing them to withstand heavy loads and resist wear better.

Tailings Pond Lining

Structural grade protective coatings can be used to line tailings ponds, forming an impermeable barrier to prevent leaks and potential environmental contamination. Its chemical resistance properties make it especially effective for this use.

Case Study: Conveyor Belt Repair in Iron Ore Mining with Polyurea Protective Coating System

In the iron ore mining industry, a conveyor belt that is used to transfer primary product had suffered damage and abrasions on its sides. A unique repair process was implemented within a 24-hour shutdown period.

The belt was whip blasted to clean the surface, then a nano-adhesive primer, Premera AE T7, was applied to create a molecular bridge between the polyurea coating and the belt surface. Nukote HAR, a high abrasion-resistant polyurea, was applied at 4-5mm thickness on both sides of the belt.

The conveyor belt was operational again just 12 hours after the coating application. This repair process has significantly reduced the need for belt replacement, which typically occurred every 12 months or less.

Also Read: Waterproofing Potable Water Tanks: the Power of Polyurea Protective Coatings

Discover the Benefits of Polyurea Protective Coatings with IMC Distributors

Polyurea protective coatings offer multiple benefits to the mining industry, from enhancing the lifespan of equipment and infrastructure to preventing leaks and environmental risks. It’s clear why polyurea is becoming a go-to solution for an industry that needs reliable, durable, and effective protection.

IMC/Nukote Canada can provide you with these game-changing polyurea solutions. If you’re in the mining industry and looking for ways to improve your operation’s durability, efficiency, and safety, reach out to us to learn more about our protective coatings for the mining industry.