Supplying reliable and cost-effective pumping solutions for heavy, abrasive slurry applications in the mining industry of South Africa and wider Africa is integral to submersible slurry pump supplier Goodwin Africa, says marketing and sales director Rui Gomes.

As pump supplier and manufacturer, Goodwin Africa is well equipped for Africa’s mining industry by offering high-quality, reliable and cost-effective dewatering solutions, he notes.

The company also has a strong focus on service and support, including a repair centre and warehouse in Edenvale, Gauteng, to serve the African market.

Its submersible slurry pumps are routinely used in mine tailings recovery and reprocessing, minerals processing plant sumps, spillage clean-up applications, power plant ash dams cleaning, river and dam desilting, as well as steel slag and rolling mill scale pumping.

The slurry pumps also find practical use in light dredging, and marine dredging in harbours and dry docks.

Goodwin Africa also offers its high-head dewatering range, available in 100 mm diameter with a 90 kW motor, and in 150 mm diameter with a 150 kW motor.

For unique applications, such as those handling high solids content, the company offers the hydraulically driven unit, the “Slurry Champ” submersible slurry pump, which is available in variations such as a standard fixed installation and a direct-to-excavator mounted version. They also have a unique acid-resistant super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) submersible slurry pump.

Typical applications for SDSS pumps include chemical ponds and acidic mineral processing applications. Inconel impregnating technology is used in the casting of the wear parts, thereby enabling the pump to be used in applications that involve acidic and abrasive materials.

The technology aims to introduce corrosive-proof performance through a high-grade stainless steel construction, typically to improve its properties or enhance its performance in acidic applications.

Repair, Servicing Imperative

Goodwin Africa has successfully expanded its presence in Africa, with further reach in South Africa, and the opening of sales offices in Zambia and Ghana.

Gomes says the company is also increasingly positioning its original equipment manufacturer parts over those that are not, as the latter tend to fail more frequently.

Following efforts to deal with customers more directly, there has also been an upturn in the company’s in-house repair business, increased market acceptance of some of its larger products and an increase in the company’s customer base. Consequently, Goodwin Africa formed long-term business relationships with customers.

In many cases, Gomes says the company has been “deeply involved” in improving the wear life of pumps by illustrating their proper use to customers, which, in turn, has improved the company’s understanding of varying customer requirements.

“Through our regional expansions, we will always prioritise local employment and internal growth.”

Despite capital constraints posing a constant challenge for Goodwin Africa, Gomes adds that the company still offers an “attractive return on investment” by virtue of its pump design.

The company specifically designs its pumps to handle heavy-density slurries for longer periods and they significantly contribute to less downtime when operating in challenging applications.

Gomes notes that Goodwin Africa’s strategic goals in South Africa’s mining sector largely focus on modernisation through technology development, sustainable practices and workforce development. This also includes developing sufficient capacity to leverage advancements in automation, AI and digital tools to improve efficiency and reduce costs.