As African mines deepen and conditions grow more complex, water management remains one of the sector’s most persistent operational challenges. Groundwater ingress, seasonal flooding and slurry-laden sumps continue to threaten productivity and safety, making reliable dewatering a critical function on every mine.

Speaking to Mining Weekly, pumps supplier Integrated Pump Technology MD Jordan Marsh outlines how the company is reshaping dewatering strategies across the continent and why its recent expansion marks a new chapter for African mining.

Founded in 2014, Integrated Pump Technology has grown from a South African supplier into what is now formally recognised as the world’s largest Grindex distributor, with an established submersible pump footprint across Africa.

Marsh attributes this rise to a simple but disciplined philosophy: understand the real conditions mines face and deliver solutions that work the first time.

The company’s long-standing partnership with Grindex, the Swedish manufacturer known for some of the world’s toughest electric submersible pumps, has been central to its ability to guarantee reliable performance in both deep underground operations and remote openpits across sub-Saharan Africa.

The Grindex range is widely trusted for its robustness, efficiency and ability to handle abrasive, unpredictable conditions.

With flow rates up to 100 ℓ a second and heads of up to 200 m, the pumps have become essential in copper operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia where water inflows have increased as mines push deeper.

At one major DRC mine, a fleet of Grindex units from 5.5 kW to 90 kW has been running continuously since 2022.

“When you are hundreds of metres underground, reliability becomes a safety-critical issue,” says Marsh, adding that these pumps cope with abrasive materials, voltage fluctuations and the general harshness of deep-level mining.

Reliability is reinforced through an extensive technical engagement model. Integrated Pump Technology maintains close relationships with customers and in-country partners, regularly visiting sites to assess applications, optimise configurations and ensure spares and back-up support are readily available.

Marsh considers this hands-on approach one of the company’s key strengths.

“You cannot sell pumps into Africa from behind a desk. You need people on the ground who understand what customers face daily.”

Another differentiator is the company’s ability to offer both electric and diesel driven dewatering solutions through its representation of Grindex and Godwin.

Marsh notes that in many regions, particularly where power supply is unreliable or unavailable, diesel pumps remain essential.

The Godwin range enables the company to support high-head, high-volume and highly mobile dewatering requirements.

The HL series, now widely used in Zambia and Southern Africa, delivers heads of up to 300 m and flows of about 300 m/h, making it suitable for deep pits, long-distance pumping and emergency applications. This dual offering allows mines to combine permanent electric installations with mobile diesel-driven units, depending on operational needs and seasonal conditions.

West Africa Distributorship

A major milestone for Integrated Pump Technology came in July 2025 when it was appointed a Grindex distributor for West Africa.

High rainfall, remote operations and growing mining activity make the region a significant growth market. To support this expansion, the company has established a bonded warehouse in Ghana, stocked with high-demand Grindex models such as the 37 kW Maxi and 90 kW Mega.