Modern Mining October 2020

Grindex Maxi for Steelpoort platinum mine

The quick reaction of Integrated Pump Technology saw the company come to the rescue of a platinum mining customer who urgently needed to dewater their decline shaft. Alfred Kelsey, key account manager at Integrated Pump Technology, explains that the company, as the official Grindex pump distributor for southern Africa, maintains a comprehensive stockholding of dewater- ing pumps. This, he says, is key to allowing its extensive distributor network to react quickly to customer needs. “The strength of our stockholding allowed us to effect a same day delivery of two Grindex Maxi pumps to our distributor in Steelpoort, Babata Pumps, allowing them to provide an efficient service to their end- customer, a platinum mine in that area.” The two Grindex Maxi pumps have been installed in the mine’s decline shaft to ensure effective dewatering. The pumps are capable of achieving a flow rate of 30 litres per second at a head of 80 m and being of robust construction are well suited to this type of heavy-duty drainage application. Equipped with a SMART motor protec- tor and an air valve that enables continuous unattended operation, the Grindex Maxi pumps have found favour in the min- ing environment as this feature allows the pumps to run dry without operational interruptions. The hydraulic design facilitates re-adjustment of the impeller-suction-

cover-clearance allowing performance to be regained after wear. Kelsey says this is a significant feature for customers assist- ing in keeping life cycle costs low. Further, reliable operation is, as always, one of the most important considerations when it comes to drainage and dewatering applica- tions, and the Grindex Maxi pump is simple and easy to maintain. Kelsey says that installation of the pump was done by the end-customer and Babata Pump will provide any support required. Integrated Pump Technology is the sole importer and principal distributor for the Grindex range of dewatering, slurry and sludge pumps for southern Africa. A network of nine strategically located, specialised pump distributors supported by dedicated account managers ensures effective service and customer support. Headquartered in Johannesburg, the company operates a comprehensive ser-

All pumps are tested to ensure operational performance prior to being dispatched to customers. vice facility which supports this distribution structure. The facility includes a state-of- the-art automated pump test facility. 

Mineral Prospectivity Mapping launched Bell Geospace and Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) have announced the launch of a new Mineral Prospectivity Mapping project. The announcement was formally made at the Africa Mining Summit 2020 held on September 15 – 16, 2020. The parties, delegates and stakeholders at the summit participated virtually through internet com- munications platforms.

acquisition, processing and interpretation of high quality airborne Full Tensor Gravity Gradiometry (FTG) data for exploration. Whereas BGI is involved in research in the field of geosciences, providing specialised geoscientific services and promoting the search for, and exploration of any minerals in Botswana. The institute is a custodian of all geoscience data/information and advice in all matters of geoscience and geohazards in Botswana. 

Bell Geospace is one of the global lead- ers in gravity gradiometry and is in the

October 2020  MODERN MINING  41