Modern Mining June 2025

support team who will install, operate and maintain the system. Successful dewatering begins with the correct specification of pumps to meet the head and flow demands, he explains. “Our professional and competent teams can quickly assess the exact requirements and draw on our extensive inventory of rental pumps to design a site- or application specific solution,” says Vine. “Aligning the pump ratings closely with the required duty is also essential to the smooth running of the equipment – so that unplanned downtime is avoided.” Where any of the pumping equipment needs attention, the IPR team attends to it so that the mine personnel are not distracted from their core functions. He points out that a mine will often move its own dewatering pumps into applications for which they were not originally intended, placing undue strain on the equipment leading to early failure. “We can install and support a full and reliable dewatering solution – on the strength of our wide and strategically placed network of branches around the country,” he says. “To be closer to our customers, we now have branches in Kathu, Rustenburg, Cape Town, Durban and Sasolburg.” IPR Sales Manager Steve du Toit emphasises how the company has built partnerships with customers over time, adapting the dewatering solutions as mines’ conditions change. With the company’s insight into the best available technologies for dewatering, they also develop an in-depth understanding of customers’ sites. “The ever-changing nature of mining demands constant adjustments to dewatering strategies,” says Du Toit. “Our strong collaboration with customers has earned their trust, allowing us to play a more integral role in their operations.” He explains the importance of correctly scoping a dewatering solution upfront, so that essential items like pipelines can be most cost effectively planned – not just for immediate applications but for the future mining plan. “For instance, it makes sense to design a piping system that will remain functional in months and even years to come,” he says, “rather than rushing into an installation that will need to be completely replaced in just a few months.” Through its sister company Rand Air, IPR also supplies a full range of generator sets for its dewatering pumping solutions as well as lighting towers for illuminating pump installations at night. Vine concludes: “Our goal has always been to become a total dewatering solution provider, and we have now achieved this through our in-house technical expertise and strategic collaboration within Atlas Copco’s Specialty Rental Division.” n

For IPR, Atlas Copco diesel driven auto-priming pumps make up an important segment of its market offering.

Atlas Copco submersible pumps offer an efficient and reliable dewatering solution for mines.

Rental Pump Solutions ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!

Call us on: +27 87 759-8654 www.pumprental.co.za

JUNE 2025 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za  MODERN MINING  33