Innovative pump technology is crucial for the continued sustainability of mines all over the world because water conditions are often abrasive, corrosive or both, explains pump original equipment manufacturer Scamont Engineering global business development general manager Eric Spagnuolo.

Scamont Engineering currently offers multistage centrifugal pumps for high flow, high head requirements in both clean and dirty water applications, as well as positive displacement pumps for lower volume, high head slurry applications.

The company, founded in 1978, has two manufacturing facilities and a foundry in Johannesburg, thereby providing it complete control of the manufacturing process.

“We are a major exporter, servicing Africa as well as global markets in North and South America, Asia, Australia and Europe. Wherever a Scamont pump is installed, we ensure that there is appropriate in-country, or satellite, support throughout the life of a pump,” he says.

Key Challenges, Opportunities

Highlighting some of the challenges faced by pump manufacturers, Spagnuolo refers to the fact that there are fewer new mining projects and expansions currently underway in Southern Africa and a lack of awareness of new pump technology and innovation in the industry.

However, he says that there is space for disruptive pump technology that challenges the normal way of mine dewatering by using self-balancing multistage pumps designed for dirty water applications.

This offering negates the need for underground settlers, which offers a significant cost saving in terms of the initial capital, as well as operational expenditure over the life of a mine, says Spagnuolo.

From a testing and warranty perspective, he highlights that all of Scamont Engineering’s pumps, new or repaired, are hydrostatically and hydrodynamically tested in accordance with the relevant global and local standards for health and safety, as well as performance. In the case of positive displacement pumps, all tests are conducted in-house.

Hydrostatic testing of multistage pumps is conducted in-house whereas the hydrodynamic performance tests are conducted at the South African Bureau of Standards.

Once the pump is in the field, condition monitoring instrumentation monitors vital operating elements such as flow, pressure, vibration and temperature.

In addition, Scamont Engineering employs several strategies to prevent pump failure in mining environments, including an early collaboration with mining consultants and end-users to ensure the mine dewatering design is optimised for the specific needs and potential challenges of the mine.

“We always take a holistic approach to a mine dewatering project, understanding all upstream and downstream processes that could affect the pump station,” says Spagnuolo.

From an environmental perspective, he says that pump duties must always be as close to the best efficiency point (BEP) as possible to mitigate electrical energy waste, adding that Scamont Engineering’s pumps can achieve up to 83% efficiency, thereby drastically reducing the amount of power required to transfer water out of a mine.

Underpinning their client-focused approach to servicing the African and global mining sector, Scamont Engineering prefers to partner with their clients to understand their specific operational requirements to install the most suitable pumping technology.