By incorporating advanced technology, such as Internet of Things (IoT) technology, into pump systems, pumps manufacturing specialist Verder Pumps South Africa can assist with pump monitoring.

This ensures not only that pumps operate efficiently, but also increases the cost effectiveness of mining operations.

Verder offers IoT technology, which allows for real-time pump monitoring, says Verder Pumps South Africa MD Darryl Macdougall.

Integrating IoT with analytics will enable mines to improve their management of pump systems, which, in turn, will reduce downtime and ensure that operations perform efficiently.

“Efficient pump systems play a pivotal role when addressing water scarcity in mining to ensure the maximum reuse of water and minimal water wastage,” he adds.

He says that enhancing pump systems improves the energy consumption of traditional pump systems while boosting the production capacity of mining systems reliant on pumps.

Traditional pump systems, “oftentimes low on technology”, should be replaced with IoT-enabled pump solutions to provide real-time measurements and facilitate flexibility.

In addition, IoT-enabled pumping solutions can collect data that can be analysed and used to provide insights.

“The key factor in wastewater treatment applications is that the pump solution is always contained within the tube and never allowed to come into contact with any of the moving components of the pumps.

“An optimised pump system will positively impact [on] the entire production chain of a mine,” he elaborates.

All these factors enhance a mine’s overarching sustainability strategy and will foster an environment of responsible and ecofriendly operations, which is crucial in establishing an environmentally conscious operation at modern mines, as the adoption of these improved strategies can align with broader sustainability goals – key aspects of environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials of a mining company.

Peristaltic Pump Innovation

Peristaltic pump solutions are another innovation that can have powerful impacts on industrial manufacturing; they are more cost effective than traditional pumps, as they require less initial investment, providing a higher return on capital and easier operations.

These pumps reduce the diluted water needed in certain production processes, further reducing the environmental impacts by taking up less space, being more energy efficient and posing less risk of chemical leakages than their conventional counterparts.

They eliminate the possibility of leaking seals, while the overall production of the process produces less chemical waste, reducing the chance of damage, creating less pollution and waste that will eventually harm the natural environment.

Macdougall states that the value of peristaltic pump technology clearly lies not only in traditional measures of profitability, but in this type of pump's ESG value-addition as well, with less of an upfront investment, less water consumption and less pollution risk, resulting in more product, more profit, and more economic and environmental security.