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April 2017
MODERN MINING
43
PRODUCT News
Correct pump selection the
key to effective dewatering
Dewatering is one of the most commonplace activities on mining and
construction sites across the world. However, it is also one in which the
incorrect selection of pumping equipment could have a major nega-
tive impact.
Lee Vine, MD of Integrated Pump Rental, cautions that different
dewatering applications call for different solutions, and that it is not
always a case of one pump fits all.
As an example, he explains that dewatering on a mine or quarry
site requires robust equipment capable of withstanding the harsh
operating environment, and more often than not pumps engineered
to remove sludge and liquid containing solid particles.
Commenting on incorrect pumping equipment being selected for
a given dewatering job, Vine says this happens primarily because of a
lack of understanding of dewatering applications, as well as a lack of
knowledge when it comes to pumps and pump design.
“Most customers need a trouble-free pumping solution, and this
means that the pump must be configured for the specific dewatering
application,”Vine says.
It is imperative that the pumping solutions supplier is able to accu-
rately assess the site dewatering needs, and only then can an optimum
dewatering plan be proposed. Factors such as the required capacity,
suction lift and discharge head are important, as are the basics such as
access to power and logistics in reaching the actual site.
As part of its total round-the-clock pumping solution, Integrated
Pump Rental takes complete responsibility for all maintenance of
pumps on site. This includes the keeping of a complete maintenance
record which facilitates proactive, scheduled maintenance and opti-
mum uptime for the pump installation.
Included in the rental fleet are the well-known Grindex submersible
drainage and dewatering pumps, the locally engineered and manu-
factured SlurrySucker dredge units, the SlurryBlaster hydro mining
equipment solution and Sykes dewatering pumps.
The popularity of the Sykes dewatering pumps has grown rapidly
since they were introduced into the Integrated Pump Rental fleet just
over a year ago.
“Sykes pumps are simple to use and can handle high volumes
of water with ease, but more importantly the pumps are available
mounted on skids, site trolleys and road trailers. This makes the deploy-
ment of this pumping equipment an easy and rapid task,”Vine says.
Integrated Pump Rental, tel (+27 72) 627-6350
Lee Vine, Managing Director of Integrated Pump Rental.