Meeting the demanding conditions of Zambia’s Copperbelt head-on, Integrated Pump Technology’s range of Grindex dewatering, slurry and sludge pumps continues to gain traction among mining companies.
Highlighting the diverse capabilities of Grindex submersible pumps, Alfred Kelsey, Sales Manager at Integrated Pump Technology, notes the significant success in applications such as desludging underground dams. A recent standout example, facilitated through Kitwe-based distributor IES, saw the 14 kW Grindex Bravo 400 effectively tackling severe sludge accumulation.
“Our customer faced a serious challenge, with sediment accumulation drastically reducing the capacity of their underground dams,” Kelsey explains. “Conventional dewatering pumps aren’t designed for handling this slurry density, but the submersible Grindex Bravo 400 proved ideal.”
With its robust hard-iron construction, abrasion resistance and integrated agitator, the Bravo 400 effectively re-suspended settled material, allowing efficient pumping out of sludge. Its IP68 ingress protection further enables safe operation at depths of up to 20 metres.
Demand for Grindex submersible dewatering pumps is also rising sharply across the Copperbelt, Kelsey says.
“The reliability and quality of Grindex pumps are major drawcards, complemented by the integrated smart systems on the 2.2 kW to 18 kW models, offering genuine plug-and-play functionality,” Kelsey notes. “This feature allows for fully automatic operation with comprehensive built-in protections.”
For higher-capacity Grindex units ranging from 25 kW to 90 kW, Integrated Pump Technology supplies external control and monitoring panels. Kelsey highlights the pump range’s versatility in addressing varying abrasive conditions.
“Customers can specify nitrile rubber or polyurethane linings to handle highly abrasive environments,” he adds. “A popular choice is internal polyurethane inserts paired with a lightweight, corrosion-resistant stainless steel casing.”
The stainless steel construction notably reduces weight which is a crucial benefit for underground operations where pumps often need manual transport and handling. The split handle design also enhances portability, enabling two-person carrying.
“Our rapid response capability sets us apart in the Copperbelt region,” Kelsey emphasises. “Through our close partnership with IES, we ensure technicians remain highly skilled, aligned with OEM standards and equipped with a first-class workshop.”
This proactive approach means fast turnaround times for repairs – from complete rebuilds to minor cable repairs – and even on-site technical support when needed. Kelsey also highlights the strategic management of local inventory levels, ensuring continuous availability of essential spare parts for efficient workshop operations.
Integrated Pump Technology has reached a remarkable milestone – being recognised as the largest Grindex distributor in the world – a testament to its strategic growth, technical expertise and customer-centric approach across Africa’s dewatering sector.
Founded in 2014 to fill a clear gap in the market, Integrated Pump Technology set out with a focused vision – to deliver high quality fit-for-purpose dewatering solutions backed by local expertise and responsive after-sales support.
“From day one, our focus has been on solving real problems for mining and industrial customers dealing with water ingress, whether that is surface dewatering, underground operations or challenging slurry environments,” Jordan Marsh, Managing Director of Integrated Pump Technology, says.
A cornerstone of the company’s early strategy was its partnership with Grindex, a globally respected Swedish manufacturer of electric submersible pumps. “We have been committed to the Grindex brand for more than a decade and our team knows these pumps inside out,” Marsh adds. “What set us apart from the beginning was our service philosophy – we didn’t just sell pumps; we backed them up with technical support, spares availability and rapid response.”
Grindex pumps are engineered for demanding environments. Their cast aluminium construction ensures a lightweight but rugged design, while the use of wear-resistant materials – such as nitrile rubber impellers and stainless-steel components – makes them ideal for abrasive conditions. Their patented SMART motor protection system guards against voltage fluctuations, phase failure, overheating and overload, allowing for greater reliability and reduced maintenance costs.
Strategic Growth Across Africa
Integrated Pump Technology’s footprint has expanded significantly across the continent, in what Marsh describes as a deliberate and carefully planned journey.
“Many of the challenges our South African customers are facing – like harsh operating conditions and the need for reliable performance – are even more pronounced in other parts of Africa,” he explains. “Remote sites, extreme terrain and limited technical support on the ground made it essential for us to build a robust support structure as we expanded.”
The company’s success has been built on deep engagement with local markets and understanding customer needs on the ground. This includes tailoring solutions to suit varying environmental factors – such as silt-heavy water, high temperatures, high static heads and logistical difficulties in transporting and servicing equipment. Grindex’s plug-and-play design, coupled with features like the air valve system for dry running, has proven particularly effective in mines where pumps are frequently exposed to variable water levels.
Today, Integrated Pump Technology boasts a strong presence in countries such as Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania and more recently across West Africa, where it has been officially appointed the Grindex distributor.
A major milestone in this regional expansion has been the establishment of a bonded warehouse in Ghana, enabling faster delivery of both Grindex submersible and Godwin diesel-driven pumps and spares to customers across West Africa. “Having local stockholding is a gamechanger,” Marsh notes. “It means we can respond faster, reduce downtime for our customers and ensure ongoing support even in the most remote areas.”
Commenting on the company’s expansion across Southern and Central Africa, Marsh emphasises the importance of operational readiness. “It is all very well to have product available to sell but if you don’t have the right support and infrastructure in place, you won’t succeed. That is why we have formalised distributor relationships, invested in in-country stockholding and put systems in place to improve responsiveness. We also invest heavily in technical training for both our internal teams and our partners, ensuring our pumps are always supported by solid application knowledge.”
The Grindex and Godwin Advantage
At the heart of the company’s offering are two globally recognised pump brands – Grindex and Godwin. This dual offering allows Integrated Pump Technology to meet a broad range of dewatering challenges from power-restricted remote sites to high head high volume pumping in demanding mining conditions.
Grindex submersible pumps are renowned for their robust construction, low maintenance design and exceptional solids handling capabilities. Available in dewatering, sludge and slurry configurations, these pumps operate efficiently in extreme underground environments.
The Grindex Mega, for example, is capable of flows up to 150 litres per second and heads exceeding 150 metres, making it suitable for deep level mining applications. The Grindex Bravo series, on the other hand, is ideal for heavy duty slurry applications, featuring a built-in agitator and wear resistant materials to handle high concentrations of solids.
“These pumps are engineered to meet very specific demands, and we work closely with each customer to ensure the right pump is specified for the right job,” Marsh says.
On the diesel-driven front, the Godwin range – including popular models like the HL150 and HL160 – caters to operations where grid power is unavailable or unreliable. These automatic self-priming pumps are ideal for high head applications such as open pit dewatering. The HL150, for instance, can handle heads of up to 140 metres and flow rates up to 150 litres per second, making it ideal for mines requiring deep sump drainage or long distance pumping. The rugged construction and option of trailer-mount or skid-mount make Godwin pumps easy to deploy across tough and remote terrain.
“Having both electric submersibles and diesel-driven pump sets allows us to meet customer needs irrespective of the application or energy source,” Marsh says. “Flexibility is key when you are operating in Africa.”
Recognition and Outlook
Being named the largest Grindex distributor in the world marks a significant achievement – not only in terms of sales volume, but also in the trust and credibility the company has built in the field.
“This is not a one-man job,” Marsh says. “It is the result of consistent performance, market knowledge and customer focus from the entire Integrated Pump Technology team. It is also a reflection of the trust our customers place in us.”
Marsh says that Integrated Pump Technology’s ambitions remain firmly rooted in Africa. “Our aim is to entrench our leadership position by building deeper partnerships, expanding our footprint and raising the bar for dewatering support. As mining operations become more complex, water management will only grow in importance, and we are ready to meet that challenge head-on. We are not just a pump supplier. We are a technical partner,” Marsh concludes.
With a proven track record, market-leading brands and a growing support network across the continent, Integrated Pump Technology is set to lead the way in delivering reliable fit-for-purpose dewatering solutions – no matter how tough the conditions.
Grindex submersible dewatering pumps continue to gain significant traction among mining operations in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the demand for reliable and efficient dewatering solutions is on the rise. These pumps, renowned for their durability and high performance, have become a preferred choice for mines facing challenging underground water ingress conditions.
Jordan Marsh, Managing Director of Integrated Pump Technology, the official distributor of Grindex pumps in Southern Africa, confirms that the brand has built a solid reputation over the past decade in the most demanding dewatering applications. He anticipates a continued surge in demand as underground mining operations extend deeper, requiring even more robust pumping solutions.
“Dewatering in deep underground mines demands pumps that can handle high flow rates and high heads, while maintaining absolute reliability in extreme conditions,” says Marsh. “Grindex pumps have proven their ability to perform consistently in these environments, making them a trusted choice for copper mines in the region.”
Recent orders, received through Integrated Pump Technology’s distributor partner in the DRC were from a major copper mine and included a range of Grindex submersible pumps, spanning from 5.5 kW to 90 kW. Among these are the Grindex N series, capable of handling high flow rates from 20 litres per second up to 100 litres per second, and the Grindex H series, which can pump to impressive heads of up to 180 metres.
This particular mining operation has relied on Grindex submersible pumps for its dewatering needs since 2022, with consistently outstanding performance. Marsh attributes the ongoing preference for Grindex to the pumps’ rugged construction and high efficiency, both critical factors in maintaining optimum production levels and ensuring the safety of underground personnel in waterlogged areas.
To further support its growing base of Grindex users in the region, Integrated Pump Technology deploys teams regularly to assess dewatering applications and ensure that the correct pump solutions are in place. Additionally, through its local distributors the company provides technical support and spare parts availability, ensuring that downtime is minimised and operations remain uninterrupted.
“As mines go deeper, dewatering becomes an increasingly complex challenge. With Grindex submersible pumps, our customers have a reliable and cost effective solution that is built to withstand the harshest mining conditions,” Marsh concludes.
