Energy-Efficient Pumping Solution in Nuraxi Figus, Sardinia with Foras HPR125 Multistage Pump for Mining Dewatering
- Alexander Avramenko
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
Location: Sardinia
Year: 2019
Application: Mining Nuraxi Figus
The historic mining district of Sulcis, located in South-East Sardinia between Carbonia and Iglesias, was once Italy’s most productive site for coal, lead, and zinc extraction. While extraction has ceased, the Nuraxi Figus site is now being repurposed for innovative energy and environmental projects. At the heart of this transformation is the need for reliable water management, particularly the dewatering of deep mining shafts to support research and ensure safety.
The Challenge
The existing dewatering system at Nuraxi Figus, operated by Carbosulcis, required modernization. The old setup involved two re-launching stations with four WKF150/3 pumps installed at different levels (-397m and -150m). This configuration demanded a total motor power of 2,240 kW and came with significant maintenance and operational costs.
To support the site's evolving mission — including fire safety, water supply for nearby communities, and experimental research — a more efficient and cost-effective pumping solution was needed.
Our Solution: Horizontal Multistage pump HPR125 series
Foras engineered a solution centered around the HPR125/5 horizontal multistage pump, designed to deliver exceptional performance under extreme mining conditions. This pump, coupled with a 780 kW medium-voltage motor (6KV, 50Hz) and driven by a Soft-Start unit, replaced the entire re-launching system with just one unit installed at -397m, feeding water directly to the surface tank “CIRSI”.
Key Performance Data:
Flow Rate: 350 m³/h
Total Head: 550 m
Speed: 2950 rpm
Hydraulic Efficiency: 76.6%
NPSHr: 4.9 m
Absorbed Power: 684 kW
Motor Power: 750 kW
To ensure durability in chemically aggressive water conditions, the pump components—impellers and diffusers—were made from special bronze alloy G-Cu-Al9-Fe3-UNI5273-CC3314.
This setup allowed the complete removal of the intermediate pumping station by repurposing existing pipelines with minimal adjustments.
Results
With the implementation of the Foras HPR125/5 pump system, Carbosulcis achieved substantial improvements in energy efficiency and operational reliability.
Comparison of Power Consumption:
Old System:
3 x 500 kW + 1 x 740 kW = 2,240 kW
New System:
2 x 750 kW = 1,500 kW
Power Reduction: 740 kW (approx. 25%)
Annual Savings:
Water Delivered: 3,169,910 m³/year
Electricity Saved: 1,025,141 kWh/year
Reduction Compared to Previous Year: 27.33% in the last 4 months of testing
The success of this project demonstrates how modern pump technology from Foras contributes to the sustainable repurposing of industrial sites while reducing environmental impact.
Foras provides tailored pumping solutions for the most demanding industrial environments. From deep mining to high-pressure applications, our technology ensures efficiency, reliability, and long-term savings.
Interested in optimizing your system? Contact us today.
