To better support operations in West Africa’s rapidly expanding mining sector, Gauteng pumps supplier Integrated Pump Technology was officially appointed an authorised distributor of the Grindex submersible pumps range in the region, in July.

“There’s significant investment in mining operations and substantial opportunity in the region if we can get in at the right time and support these mines and build relationships with them early on. That includes the mining contractors that are responsible for dewatering or underground mining applications,” says Integrated Pump Technology MD Jordan Marsh.

The company will primarily focus on growing its footprint in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, owing to the number of mines in these territories.

“The idea is to build traction in West Africa by supplying Grindex pumps to these countries initially before expanding further in the region,” explains Marsh.

The company has already started to build relationships in these mining territories, establishing a bonded warehouse in Ghana to enable quicker turnaround when servicing mines in the region.

Integrated Pump Technology realised over the last four or five years, through its success in sub-Saharan Africa, that having the right stock in the right territories, at the right time, is critical. Therefore, in preparation for its West African expansion, the company has tried to understand the requirements of mining territories in the region over the past year.

“Since then, we have placed an ex-stock order to ensure that there is stock in country that can immediately support those mining requirements. Demanding as the operating conditions are in West Africa, having Grindex pumps there is such a win for end-users. Being able to access these pumps quite quickly certainly makes their lives easier while improving our business,” says Marsh.

Having another quality supplier in West Africa that can assist mines quickly is important, he adds, noting that the Grindex distributorship is also an opportunity for Integrated Pump Technology to expand its footprint and grow the business further.

The company plans to initially stock complete units in the region and focus on “getting those up and running”.

“We have a large order of complete Grindex units coming through, which will later start evolving into a stockholding of boxed spares packages, as well as maintenance support,” highlights Marsh.

The company has hired a local area manager and is in the process of looking for a technical salesperson to provide sales support on the ground.

“As we start progressing and understanding the lie of the land, the ultimate goal is for us to establish an entity with a service centre that will cater for on-site requirements. We'll also have to consider the possibility of having a fully-fledged service team in the region to support local mines. Having good people on site and a sufficient stockholding in West Africa is key,” notes Marsh.

The company intends to offer mines in the region access to the same high level of face-to-face, value-added service that mines enjoy in the territories Integrated Pump Technology currently serves, he emphasises.

“This is a very exciting time for us, because we are now able to spread our reach and gain more traction in new territories and strengthen our footprint across Africa.”

Integrated Pump Technology also represents the Godwin range of diesel-driven pumps in West Africa along with Grindex.

Integrated Pump Technology’s Grindex range has three different models that cater for dewatering, slurry and sludge applications, with small to large pumping capacities available.

“Having access to both these brands, we are able to offer a full turnkey dewatering solution for mines. Whether it’s submersible pumps for underground or self-priming diesel electric units for surface mining or for in-pit dewatering, we now have a pump to cater for any requirement on a specific mine.

“As West African mining territories host extremely wet and large mines, they need to operate many pumps in several areas,” elaborates Marsh.

Many mines in West Africa are subject to extreme operating conditions, which includes considerable rainfall and water ingress, which can often disrupt operations and negatively impact on mining production.

“Where there’s considerable rainfall, access to a considerable number of pumps is needed. With us having pumps and stock in the territory, we’re able to quickly fulfil demand in these situations, providing not only several pumps but the right pumps for these applications,” adds Marsh.

It is vital for a mine to have the correct pumps in position at the correct time and in the correct application to avoid unnecessary stoppages and ensure the efficient continuation of its production, he underscores.