Almost a year after installation, a dewatering pump supplied by Integrated Pump Technology, in partnership with its local distributor IES, is still performing at its peak on a major mining operation on Zambia’s Copperbelt. The unit is tasked with pumping water at a rate of 60 litres per second at a head of approximately 80 m.

The 85 kW Grindex Mega INOX stainless steel dewatering pump continues to operate successfully, transferring water from the tailings dam back to the process plant, says Integrated Pump Technology sales manager Alfred Kelsey.

“This was the first unit of its kind to be installed at the site and the customer was extremely pleased with its performance during the three-month trial,” says Kelsey. “They valued the confidence we had in the pump, which allowed us to offer a 12-month warranty. Equally important was the fact that we could provide local support through our distribution partner, IES - not something all pump suppliers in the region can offer.”

Kelsey notes that the Copperbelt region hosts some of the wettest mines globally and, with mining activity on the rise, the pump’s durability, high performance and local support have reinforced growing demand for Grindex solutions in the region’s challenging mining environments.

“Our units in the power range of 10 kW, 18  kW, 37kW and 90 kW are especially popular,” he explains. “These models offer a combination of high performance, robust design and long service life - making them ideal for demanding mining applications.”

Kelsey highlights that Grindex pumps are engineered for high head and high flow applications and are built with features ideal for tough conditions. These include durable stainless steel or cast iron construction, advanced motor protection and built-in air valves that allow the pumps to run dry without damage.

The pumps also incorporate smart cooling designs and heavy-duty mechanical seals to ensure reliability in highly abrasive and corrosive environments, such as openpit and underground dewatering and tailings management.

“The Mega INOX, for example, can handle aggressive water with high chloride content which is common in tailings dams,” says Kelsey. “It is equipped with a high efficiency motor and hydraulics to ensure minimal energy consumption while delivering high performance.”

The pumps are also designed for ease of maintenance with many components interchangeable across models.