AR Controls has successfully supplied and maintained large installed bases of DeZurik KSV severe-service knife gate valves on the Zambian Copper Belt in demanding tailings applications.

The most popular valves supplied by the company are cast stainless steel, urethane-lined and severe-service knife gate valves, as well as high-performance and concentric butterfly valves, general and severe-service ball valves, and non-return valves.
In addition, AR Controls is consistently introducing new and innovative products, adopting the latest technologies and manufacturing methods available to industry. This is further complemented by new product offerings through its long-term valve manufacturing supplier and US-based valve giant DeZurik APCO Hilton, Director Julien van Niekerk explains.

AR Controls introduced the DeZurik KUL ductile iron urethane lined knife gate valve to the African market in 2014. “We have enjoyed unprecedented success with this product, creating our own standardisation on most copper- and gold-processing plants throughout Africa,” van Niekerk highlights.

All the internals of this valve, apart from the urethane lining, as well as the upper works and actuation, are standardised from the stalwart DeZurik KGC Cast Stainless knife gate valve. It can handle pressures of up to 17.2 bar, and has the same face-to-face dimensions as KGC valves.

AR Controls began exporting valves throughout Africa in 1999, and has been growing its market share and footprint steadily ever since. It experienced rapid growth from 2010 onwards, owing to major mining houses developing new assets across Africa to accommodate the rapid growth of the mining industry at the time.

“Commodity prices soared, and by 2010 AR Controls was already a well-established name in the African export market. With our infrastructure in place, we were well-positioned to meet our customers’ growing demand for valves and automation,” van Niekerk points out.

As its products were already largely the industry standard, most mining houses have continued to standardise on AR Controls. “As a result, we have become a household name with many mining giants during the nearly 20 years we have been exporting actively.”

AR Controls not only supplies valves, actuation and control accessories, but also conducts audited plant surveys to optimise a customer’s valve efficiencies to increase plant availability. It offers consulting engineering services relating to pumping systems requiring valves and automation through its engineering department.

The company offers a refurbishing service for its OEM valves that have reached their end of life, restoring them to their original standard for further use at customers’ operations. All valves refurbished by AR Controls have an 18-month warranty (from date of purchase or 12 months from the date of installation), as does any new valve.

“We prefer to see ourselves as our customers’ partners. We do not sell to our customers; our customers buy from us. They get the entire AR Controls package, including superior products, technical expertise, stockholding, and excellent service and aftersales care,” van Niekerk concludes.