Selecting the right pump for the right application is critical for effective water management in quarries and open pit mines. Dredging and pump specialist, IPR (Integrated Pump Rental), advises that the selection process should consider a number of key factors, and chief among them are brand reputation, supplier’s expertise, site parameters and the customer’s financial situation.

While it is true that the selection of a dewatering pump for a mine or quarry largely hinges on specific site or application requirements, Steve du Toit, Sales Manager at IPR, believes that the supplier’s expertise should be a principal factor.

“Each of our installations starts with a detailed assessment of site-specific dewatering requirements. Through that process, IPR’s technical experts get a clear understanding of the unique conditions of the mine, such as water volume, pit dimensions and site-specific challenges. After this, the IPR team is able to recommend the most appropriate equipment and strategies for dewatering, ensuring optimal performance and cost efficiency for the customer,” says Du Toit.

According to Lee Vine MD of IPR, site-specific conditions, such as volume of water to be pumped and the rate at which it accumulates, will inform parameters such as head (the height at which a pump can raise the fluid up) and flow (the amount of water the pump can move at a given time) which, in turn, determine the size and type of pump or pumps required.

Dealing with a supplier that can offer a wide range of choices means that operations can get all their dewatering pump needs from one place. For example, IPR offers both diesel-driven and submersible dewatering pumps. Designed to be fully submerged in water during operation, submersible pumps are ideal for operations where continuous dewatering is required. IPR’s self-priming diesel driven pump sets are suitable for dewatering applications where power is not readily available.

“The next consideration should be the capital situation for the customer. The financial position of the mine or quarry determines whether to buy or to rent a dewatering pump solution. If capital outlay is an issue, rental will be ideal because it eliminates the need for a substantial upfront capital expenditure, freeing up the much needed budget for other pressing needs,” says Vine.

In addition, says Vine, rental costs can be classified as operational expenses and this is especially important where dewatering is a critical necessity, yet there is no capex available. In a scenario where the project is long term and capital is available, outright purchase makes sense.

In conclusion, says Du Toit, when choosing vitally important assets such as dewatering pumps it is also important to consider the reputation of the brand and the aftermarket support behind it. IPR is part of the Specialty Rental division within the Power Technique Business Area of Atlas Copco and supplies the premium Atlas Copco product, which is known for its reliability, good warranty terms and, more importantly, parts availability from IPR. The company is also the official distributor for Toyo heavy-duty slurry pumps and supplies the locally manufactured SlurrySucker dredging solution.