SONARtrac® flow monitoring technology has been selected by the largest coal producer in Mexico. Altos Hornos de Mexico (AHMSA) has chosen CiDRA Minerals Processing’s SONARtrac systems as its preferred technology for use in two coal preparation plants owned by AHMSA, located in Coahuila, Mexico. The SONARtrac systems will be installed on the feed lines to dense media cyclones, flotation cells, column cells and mixing tanks, as well as on the thickened tailings underflow lines in both the La Florida and Palau plants. These plants prepare coal for later use in coking and energy production. AHMSA is the largest coal and iron ore producer in Mexico. It has corporate offices in Monclova, in the center of the Mexican state of Coahuila, 250 km from the US border. AHMSA is controlled by Grupo Acero del Norte, an industrial conglomerate that is active in the precious metals, mining and power generation sectors. AHMSA is also the largest integrated steel plant in the country.

CiDRA says the SONARtrac systems were chosen by AHMSA “because of the system’s ability to provide accurate measurements of slurries containing magnetite, as well as its non-invasive design, which provides exceptionally high reliability, performance, and maintenance-free operation, thus lowering operating costs and total cost of ownership. This flow technology uses measurement principles that are distinct from all other flowmeter technologies operating in the mining industry. SONARtrac non-intrusive flow monitoring systems make no contact with the liquid or slurry and can be removed and reinstalled without process interruption. As well, these systems demonstrate very stable output and superior levels of performance in the presence of highly variable fluid properties.”