Hydraulic circuits get the attention, but a South African mine or plant also runs on water, air and slurry hoses that wear out on a schedule of their own. RHPL makes up industrial hose lengths with end connections for these services, and can add them to a hydraulic order so that one shutdown list covers both.
Hose families
- Water suction and delivery hose for pit dewatering pumps, dust-suppression bowsers and wash bays.
- Compressed-air hose for drill and tool air lines, including multi-purpose air and water hose.
- Slurry and material-handling hose with abrasion-resistant liners for tailings lines, concentrator transfers and cyclone feeds.
- Steam and hot-water hose for plant cleaning and heated services.
- Oil and fuel transfer hose for workshop and bowser use.
- Composite and specialist hoses quoted per enquiry after the media, pressure and temperature are confirmed.
Each length can be supplied with flanges, hose-tail couplings, camlock-type couplings or threaded ends, and with clamps or swaged ferrules, depending on the pressure and the connection on site.
Process uses in South African operations
Pit and underground dewatering. Summer storms in the interior can flood benches and sumps; the 2025–26 rains were heavy enough to cut output at Northern Cape iron-ore mines (see sources on the iron-ore page). Pump hoses then work at full duty for long periods. We confirm suction rating as well as pressure rating, because a delivery hose that collapses on suction is a common mistake.
PGM and chrome concentrators. UG2 ore carries chromite, and chrome recovery circuits move abrasive, dense slurry. A liner chosen for gold tailings may wear fast here. Tell us the solids content, particle size and flow so that the liner thickness and material can be specified.
Coal handling and washing plants. Coal fines and water make an abrasive mix with occasional oversize. Hoses on dense-medium circuits also see magnetite. We quote abrasion-resistant liners and ask for the operating pressure and any vacuum condition.
Cement and ferroalloy plants. Air-slide and pneumatic conveying hoses carry hot, dusty material. Water-cooling hoses on furnace equipment need heat-resistant covers. See cement plants and smelters.
Underground compressed air and water. Drill air and water lines run long distances in narrow headings. Couplings must suit the mine's standard; we ask for the coupling type and the mine's safety rules before quoting.
Information we need
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Medium (water, air, slurry, oil, steam) | Sets the liner material |
| Solids content and particle size (slurry) | Sets liner thickness and abrasion grade |
| Pressure and any vacuum | Sets reinforcement and suction rating |
| Temperature of medium and surroundings | Sets cover and liner grade |
| Inside diameter and length per piece | Sets construction and handling weight |
| End connections and coupling standard | Avoids a hose that cannot be fitted on site |
Honest limits
RHPL does not supply automotive brake hose, food-grade or pharmaceutical hose, or hoses for liquefied gas transfer. If a requirement falls outside what we can make up and test, we say so in the reply.
Planning a combined South African shutdown list
Separate the hydraulic lines from process-service hoses in the requirement, even when they share one shipment. For each industrial line, state whether it sees pressure, suction or both, and identify the actual medium. A water line, an abrasive slurry circuit and a hot cleaning service need different reviews. Do not select the liner from the outside appearance of an old hose.
For a South African plant buyer, include the province, delivery town and the company that will act as importer of record. A workshop buying for resale can add its own stores description, provided the technical description remains clear. The receiving team should be able to match each length and end connection to the requirement without guessing from colour or coil size.
Where the mine or plant specifies a coupling system or documentation, attach the relevant requirement before quotation. RHPL confirms what can be offered; no South African approval or site acceptance is implied. A local fitter remains responsible for the actual installation under the site’s procedures.