At a gemstone mine in Zambia, dewatering is critical to keeping the openpit both safe and productive. Here, two Godwin Dri-Prime HL160 pumps, from Integrated Pump Technology, have enabled mining operations to continue uninterrupted, even during the demanding rainy season.

The site’s existing pumps were no longer able to manage the volumes required to keep working areas dry, outlines Integrated Pump Technology Godwin product manager JD Nel.

“In collaboration with local distributor IES, Integrated Pump Technology specified the appropriate pump solution to meet the mine’s duty requirements,” he notes.

“Together with IES, we conducted a site visit to assess the conditions and engage directly with the customer,” says Nel, adding that, wherever possible, Integrated Pump Technology also trains customer staff to gather the right data for accurate pump selection – something the team on site “greatly valued”.

In this application, the pumps needed to move about 300 m3/h of water to a discharge head of 130 m to 140 m.

Integrated Pump Technology and IES also reviewed the pipeline and accessory requirements to ensure these were correctly specified for optimal performance.

“While assessing the current conditions, we also considered the future deepening of the pit,” says Nel, adding that this is why the company recommended the Godwin HL160 units. “They are more than capable of handling increasing discharge heads over the next two to three years.”

Compact yet powerful, the Godwin HL160 pumps used at the site are driven by 403 kW Perkins C15 diesel engines and deliver flows of more than 480 m3/h with discharge heads approaching 190 m.

Nel highlights that local assembly in South Africa significantly reduces delivery times, as bringing these units in from Europe could take 22 to 24 weeks.

“With Integrated Pump Technology’s local production capabilities, we were able to shorten that lead time by 10 to 15 weeks and get the dewatering pumps and associated equipment operational within four to six weeks.”

This was a key consideration for the Zambian mine, as the rainy season posed a serious risk to production.

“Our technical specialists were also on site to assist with setup and commissioning and to provide additional training so the customer’s team could operate the units with confidence,” concludes Nel.