First Phase Completion of Copper Mine Project Announced by VersaFlex

 SOUTHERN AZ - February 3, 2012 - VersaFlex Incorporated has recently announced the completion of Phase 1 of a polyurea coating project at a copper mine in the southern Arizona desert. VersaFlex, who supplied the polyurea materials, partnered with Versa-Tech Coatings, based out of Mesa, Arizona, to handle the contracting work for this project.

The project involved spraying the interior of a large leach tank with several coats of polyurea material. Leach tanks play an integral part in the copper extraction process, specifically in separating copper from its metal ore in a solution. This tank in particular, one of several in place at the mining operation, had become severely eroded over the course of its use and was in need of restoration.

To tackle the project without costing the mining operation any downtime, the tank partitioned with a concrete wall so one side could remain filled while the other was being sprayed with polyurea coatings.

Removing the liquid was only the first step, as crews had to then blast the sidings with ultra high pressure water and chemically neutralize the surfaces. The sidings were then patched by hand to bring the concrete surface back to its original level grade.

With the surface prepped, crews then sprayed the tank with VF-20 primer, followed by an 80-mil base coat of FSS/45DC polyurea. Two Extreme Chemical Exposure Coats were then applied: a 6-mil LC-25 lock coat followed by a 15-mil finishing coat of VT-40.

Beyond the demands of the job itself, the environment of the jobsite posed some initial complications, chiefly in terms of maneuvering vehicles and machinery into the mine.

“It’s not for your average contractor,” says Joe Haydu, Director of Field Services at VersaFlex. “You’ve really got to know what you’re doing.”

Phase 2 will mirror Phase 1 on the other side of the tank, with completion of the project coming before the end of February, according to Haydu.

About VersaFlex Incorporated: VersaFlex is a manufacturer of rapid-curing polyurea elastomer sealants, polyurea repair material, and fast set polyurea spray materials. To find out more please visit the links listed below.