The high-head, 50 mm discharge, 55 kw Series 8900 pump from Gauteng pumps manufacturer RNE Pumps is gaining traction worldwide, says sales manager Mark Enell.

Ideal for high-head and deeper sump applications, the pump was developed to meet a need in the mining industry and is particularly in demand for use in decline shafts.

The winner of the South African Capital Equipment Export Council’s 2021 Exporter of the Year Awards exporter member of the year category, RNE is currently exporting the Series 8900 pump to Canada and Zimbabwe, with the platinum market showing the greatest demand.

“We firmly believe that if you have a good local product, you can stand up against anyone in the global market and should get out there and bring much needed funds into the country by exporting your products,” emphasises Enell.

While he says all RNE’s pumps are “special in their own way”, the company’s Series 8900 pump is its most unique product to date.

“Deep underground mining environments tend to have limited space available for dewatering sumps, and with downtime to check pipelines being anything between two and four hours, mines cannot afford the associated loss of production.”

As such, mining companies were calling for a pump that could bypass levels and discharge at intervals of between two and four levels to help eliminate the need for extensive piping systems, as well as excessive travel to different sumps on each level.

RNE’s Series 8900 pump can pump heads of more than 100 m from a single-stage, open impeller at a fraction of the cost of other pump types, outlines Enell.

The suction area of the pump also has a built-in agitator to prevent blockages and can run wet or dry. Thereby, the motor does not burn out.

During the eight months it took to develop the Series 8900 pump, Enell says the casting challenges experienced by RNE were the main drawback.

Launched in 2019, over 90% of this pump comprises local content, with only the locally sourced bearings used in its production originating from Japan.

RNE currently sells between four and ten units of the Series 8900 pump a month, with manufacturing taking place at its factory in Sebenza, Johannesburg. About 50 people overall are involved in the pump’s production, which includes the fabrication of columns and shafts, and foundry cast wet ends.

Understandably, load-shedding and a lack of raw materials are a constant challenge, notes Enell.

“These challenges have been overcome by partnering with more foundries and installing large generator sets at our production facility and assembly warehouse.”

While ten Series 8900 pumps are produced by RNE in a month, Enell says the company can double its production if required.

RNE manufactures about 100 pumps across its range monthly in accordance with strict international standards, namely ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO45001, and currently exports to about 20 countries.

All pumps in the RNE range will run wet or dry indefinitely, are easy to assemble/disassemble for maintenance and require no shims or spacers for impeller adjustment, states the company.

In addition, no measuring equipment is needed, and neither are glands or expensive mechanical seals. Bearings are sealed for life, requiring no greasing, with a bearing cartridge available for a quick turnaround time, as are specialised tools and benches for ease of repair.