Integrated Pump Rental, in JV with EC mining, secured the contract to desilt four acid ponds at a copper mine in the DRC. This recent project follows on the successful completion of the cleaning up of two similar dams by the company at the same mine.

Managing director of Integrated Pump Rental, Lee Vine says that acid ponds and dams that have become silted have serious repercussion for a mining operation.

“It is critical that mining operations have sufficient storage capacity for solution and water, and when reservoirs are neglected and sediment is allowed to build up the downstream and upstream processes are affected,” Vine says. This can have huge implications for the productivity of an operation.

He reports that there has been a marked increase in the demand for the company’s Slurry Blaster hydro mining equipment. “Locally developed to operate in the harshest environment, this equipment has proved itself in the field and even the most challenging applications have not been an issue.”

“We are cognisant that not all desilting and cleaning applications are the same and for this reason Integrated Pump Rental customises the equipment to ensure an optimum outcome. Typically the Slurry Blaster is site trailer mounted for this type of task, however it can be pontoon mounted if required,” Vine says.

Each installation of the Slurry Blaster comes standard with a 37 kW feed pump with float, a 22 kW slurry pump for the removal of the slurry, a 200 metre heavy duty layflat hose and an electric control panel. In applications where harsh abrasion is found stainless steel components including pumps are used to facilitate optimum reliability and performance.

The Slurry Blaster units are available for medium or long term rental, outright purchase and on a full turnkey project basis.

Focused on a total desilting turnkey solution, Integrated Pump Rental’s service level agreement (SLA) includes the provision of a full maintenance service. This entails regular inspections of pumps before and during the contract to ensure reliable operation with optimum uptime.

“By contracting a solutions provider such as us, mines can concentrate on their own business,” Vine concludes.