With an emphasis on hands-on technical support, dewatering pump and dredging specialist IPR (Integrated Pump Rental) provides custom solutions for clients to efficiently tackle dewatering challenges at mine sites.

The company works closely with customers from the onset to design fit-for-purpose solutions, IPR sales manager Steve du Toit tells Mining Weekly.

“We adopt a hands-on partnership built on responsiveness and technical support.”

Every mine site is different, and conducting detailed assessments of a dewatering application enables IPR to fully understand the application in terms of operational aspects such as flow rates, solids content and the distance the material needs to be pumped, Du Toit adds.

“A detailed assessment ensures that we understand all the finer details of the requirement. This allows us to recommend the most efficient and cost-effective pump setup for the job or operation.”

Getting to Know Client Requirements

To illustrate the importance of detailed assessments, Du Toit highlights a case study whereby a mine used outdated pumps that could not handle increased capacity and flow rates.

After reassessing the site, IPR provided high-capacity equipment that significantly reduced downtime. The new equipment was more suitable for the application and provided greater reliability for the operation, owing to reduced equipment breakdowns.

In this vein, Du Toit also highlights the importance of enhanced aftersales support and rental service backup in ensuring reliable dewatering, noting that the company offers 24/7 backup, on-site maintenance and a fast response time.

IPR also assists customers in determining whether renting or buying dewatering equipment is more appropriate by assessing operational aspects such as the duration, budget and urgency of the project.

A rental contract is more ideal for short-term or variable needs, while the outright acquisition of dewatering pumps is better suited to long-term, stable operations.

IPR’s rental offering also includes after-sales support to assist with uptime.

“We guide customers based on flexibility, cost and operational goals.”

To remain aligned with mine conditions that change over time, especially in dynamic or remote environments, IPR conducts regular site visits and product performance reviews; hence, if on-site conditions change, IPR can adapt quickly, owing to the flexibility provided by its rental fleet.

Du Toit says the company’s wide range of equipment makes it easier to make adjustments, modify equipment and deploy new solutions.

“Our team has deep technical expertise and our solutions are tested in the harshest environments in Africa. We learn from every situation and we can improve based on experience. We’re agile, practical and focused on dewatering, and we solve problems faster and more effectively,” he concludes.