Amid surging demand for reliable dewatering solutions at opencast mines and quarries in Africa, Integrated Pump Technology has seen growing demand for its Godwin range of dewatering solutions. In a one-on-one with Quarrying Africa, MD Jordan Marsh says the company has seen growing traction in several mining hubs, especially in cross-border markets.
“We have seen greater traction particularly in Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia. Tanzania, it must be noted, has been one of our major growth markets in recent times, with a growing installed base of Godwin diesel-driven pumps,” says Marsh.
Beyond these markets, Marsh explains, there is generally a growing demand for reliable and efficient dewatering solutions in all major mining hubs where a large population of opencast mines and quarries exist. This includes the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Botswana and Zimbabwe, amongst others.
Comprehensive range
One of the key factors behind the growing installed base is the comprehensive nature of the Godwin range of diesel-driven pumps. The range delivers power options spanning from compact 64-kW units all the way up to massive 868-kW setups.
The vast Godwin range is engineered to cover a massive performance range. This includes high-head/high-pressure pumps for demanding water transfer and deep mining, as well as high-flow/low-pressure pumps for bulk dewatering.
These pumps are also available in multiple metallurgy options, including standard materials and stainless steel, as well as duplex or super duplex stainless steel. The range, adds Marsh, is purpose-built to combat varying levels of pH, corrosion and abrasive wear.
Major sellers
Major sellers in the range are the Godwin HL160 and HL250, which Marsh refers to as the ‘sweet spot’ models. The Godwin Dri-Prime HL160 is an extremely powerful yet compact pump with flow capabilities up to 486 m³ per hour and discharge heads up to 187 m. It can handle solids up to 35 mm in diameter, making it ideal for both slurry and clean water applications.
The Godwin Dri-Prime HL250 is an equally compact yet powerful pump with flow capabilities up to 1 224 m³ per hour and discharge heads up to 117 m. The HL250 can handle solids up to 65 mm in diameter, making it suitable for both slurry and clean water applications.
On the lower end of the spectrum are what Marsh refers to as ‘contractor’ pumps. These entry-level pumps are enjoying greater demand in the market and Integrated Pump Technology has sold a large number of these units across markets.
“One of the standout units in this range is the BD150, a multipurpose, self-priming pump built for demanding construction, industrial and utility applications. One of the key selling points is that it comes at a favourable price point, making it the preferred dewatering solution for entry-level contractors,” says Marsh.
The BD150 offers powerful performance with flow rates up to 592 m³ per hour and discharge heads up to 49 m. The pump is capable of handling solids up to 75 mm in diameter, thanks to the venturi priming system – making it a suitable choice for almost any dewatering application.
Godwin has optimised the BD150’s hydraulic design using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technology, significantly improving its efficiency and fuel economy. The robust construction, including high-quality impeller, seal and bearing materials, ensures durability even under challenging conditions.
Flexibility is a key feature of the BD150. It comes either skid- or trailer-mounted, offering users a range of options depending on specific operational needs. The bare shaft is made from corrosion-resistant materials, providing resilience in harsh environments, while electric motor options and other engine configurations are also available to meet diverse requirements.
Why Godwin?
One of the key foundations for the growth of the Godwin range, says Marsh, is the stellar reputation the brand has developed over decades across the mining, quarrying and construction industries, both globally and locally.
“Godwin has been a household name in the African mining sector for decades, and customers are comfortable with the brand. Given the criticality of dewatering operations in mining and quarrying, customers do not want to leave anything to chance when it comes to the choice of pump, hence the strong interest in the Godwin diesel-driven range of pumps,” says Marsh.
The range’s strong market standing is also driven by several standout features and capabilities. For example, Marsh makes special mention of the Dri-Prime Technology – Godwin pioneered this automatic self-priming system, allowing pumps to prime and re-prime automatically from dry conditions without manual intervention.
The dry-running capability is another key feature of note. These pumps can run dry indefinitely without damaging the mechanical seal, preventing costly equipment failures. Equipped with heavy-duty impellers, they can also effortlessly handle high-abrasive slurries and large solids.
Key trends
One of the major trends taking root in mining, says Marsh, is the increasing demand for high-head/high-pressure pumps. As mining operations become deeper – with the most obvious deposits, those closest to the surface, having already been extracted – fissure water inflows and hydrostatic pressure increase significantly, requiring higher-head pumping systems to move water out.
Deeper mines, says Marsh, drive demand for high-head pumps because they must lift massive volumes of water vertically from extreme depths and push it through long-distance pipelines. High-head pumps alleviate the need for complex, multi-stage pumping stations, thus lowering power costs, maintenance risks and downtime in deep mining environments.
“We have responded to this trend through the recent introduction of the HL270 – the largest diesel-driven unit in the Godwin range to date,” says Marsh. “With a maximum head of 300 m and a flow rate of up to 200 m³ per hour, the HL270 is the ‘mother of pumps’. One of its standout features is the ability to automatically prime to 8,5 m of suction lift from a dry start. Additionally, the pump can handle various fluids and liquids, including those with solids up to 30 mm diameter.”
Another major talking point in the dewatering space is climate change, which is driving heavier, unpredictable rainfall patterns, causing heavy flooding that can instantly halt mining operations. This is a particularly challenging scenario in already wet regions such as the DRC and West Africa. The unpredictable seasonal downpours and heavier storm bursts are driving demand for diesel-driven pumps mounted on trailers or skids, as they can be moved quickly to different locations without relying on fixed electrical infrastructure.
“In such an environment, local pump stockholding has become critical in responding to extreme weather and flooding events, enabling dewatering solutions to be deployed rapidly when mining and infrastructure operations are under pressure,” says Marsh.
“By holding substantial local inventory and combining it with application-specific expertise, we are able to move quickly from assessment to implementation, protecting safety, continuity and productivity of operations. We have over the years scaled up localised stockholding through our distributors and resellers in all the major mining hubs,” he adds.
Support matters
A good product, stresses Marsh, only lives up to its name with dependable support to back it up in the market. Responsive and knowledgeable support from Integrated Pump Technology has been the ultimate force behind the success of the Godwin range in Africa.
“Responsive, localised support is critical in the mining sector, especially in Africa where mines are often located in remote areas. We have over time grown our support footprint, aligning ourselves with capable distributors in all major mining hubs,” says Marsh. “Through these partners, we have people on the ground to respond to customer needs.”
Integrated Pump Technology has a network of established distributors across sub-Saharan Africa. Distributors are chosen from local firms with strong links to mines and other industry sectors in a region and carry a stock of basic spare parts. In Namibia, Pumping Solutions looks after the growing installed base, while Integrated Engineering Services (IES) serves as the distributor for Integrated Pump Technology in Zambia.
In the DRC, sales and support for Godwin pumps is available through Congo Pump Solutions, a leading industrial and mining service provider based in Kolwezi. It specialises in supplying, installing and maintaining heavy-duty pumps, valves and mechanical seals designed for demanding dewatering and slurry applications.
“In Tanzania, a growing market for the Godwin diesel-driven pump range, we have partnered with Pinnacle Engineering Solutions to establish a fully OEM-compliant workshop in Mwanza. To strengthen regional support, the Mwanza office has significantly increased its stock of Godwin pumps and components, ensuring rapid availability for customers in this important mining hub,” concludes Marsh.
