High rainfall and resultant flash floods have become an annual reality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. To keep their sites operational and running smoothly in the face of disruptive water accumulation in pits, mines and quarries in the region are turning to IPR (Integrated Pump Rental) for custom dewatering solutions that speak directly to their site conditions.

As during the past nine years, KwaZulu-Natal has this year again been battered by heavy rainfall. Durban, the metropolitan capital of the province, exceeded its average annual rainfall of 1 009 mm, within the first four months of 2025, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

The excessive rain conditions have posed significant challenges for quarries and surface mines in the region, with operations having to contend with flooding, operational disruptions and increased costs. According to Herman van Rooyen, Business Development Manager KZN at IPR, the company is playing an integral role in keeping mining areas free of flooding at various operations in the province.

IPR, now part of the larger Atlas Copco Specialty Rental Division, better known as Rand Air in South Africa, offers a versatile range of products that meet the dewatering and slurry needs for quarrying, surface mining and industrial operations. These include Atlas Copco diesel self-priming and submersible pumps as well as Toyo heavy duty slurry pumps. The Atlas Copco submersible pump range for dewatering starts at 0,4 kW to 65 kW, while the Toyo heavy duty slurry pump offers ranges between 2,2 kW and 450 kW, depending on application.

This is complemented by the in-house designed IPR SlurrySucker dredging system, which is suitable for the regular cleaning of process water ponds, return water dams or other water storage areas. It is also ideal for dredging and cleaning water capture areas where silt or slimes are an issue or where water retention and water holding capacity are being threatened.

By combining detailed site assessments, expert recommendations, customised solutions and continuous support, IPR ensures that each dewatering or dredging solution is perfectly matched to the specific conditions of the quarry or mine site.

“This tailored approach helps maximise efficiency, maintain safety, meet environmental standards and minimise operational downtime. Whether it is handling heavy slurry, managing high flow rates, or operating in remote areas, our diverse range of equipment and expertise guarantees that each solution is the right one for the job,” says Van Rooyen.

In addition, IPR’s flexible rental model is designed to meet both short- and long-term needs by offering access to advanced technologies and supporting operations with expert maintenance and logistical services.