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Dewatering

Dewatering is a technology and process used to remove water from solid materials, slurries, or excavation sites, widely applied across mining, construction, and industrial operations. In mining contexts, dewatering encompasses both the removal of groundwater from mine workings to enable safe extraction and the separation of water from mineral slurries and tailings to recover valuable solids and manage waste. The process employs mechanical equipment such as pumps, centrifuges, filter presses, and thickeners, alongside drainage systems and wellpoint installations. Effective dewatering is essential for maintaining operational safety, preventing flooding of underground workings, and ensuring stable pit walls in open-cast operations. It also plays a critical role in tailings management, where reducing water content minimises the volume of waste requiring storage and facilitates water recycling within processing circuits. In construction, dewatering lowers groundwater levels to allow excavation and foundation work in dry conditions. The technology must balance operational efficiency with environmental considerations, as extracted groundwater often requires treatment before discharge to prevent contamination of surface water or aquifers. Dewatering systems are designed to suit site-specific hydrogeological conditions, ore characteristics, and regulatory requirements. Advances in dewatering technology focus on energy efficiency, automation, and improved water recovery rates to support sustainable resource management.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

Orion advances Prieska copper mine development following R180-million capital raise

Orion Minerals has raised more than R180-million to transition key Northern Cape copper projects into operations as early as the second quarter of this year, with strong support from South African investors via the JSE. The capital will fund development of the Uppers Mine at the Prieska Copper Zinc Mine, which has a compliant resource of 31-million tonnes at 1.2% copper and 3.6% zinc, as well as optimisation studies and resource extension drilling at the Okiep Copper Project. The Deeps phase at Prieska will start after completion of mine dewatering, refurbishment of the main shaft and construction of mining infrastructure, providing a combined mine life of 13.2 years with yearly steady-state production of 22 000 t of copper and 65 000 t of zinc.

Rapid dewatering response critical as extreme weather disrupts mining operations

Local stockholding of electrical submersible pumps and diesel-driven pump units is enabling faster deployment of dewatering solutions when mining operations face sudden water ingress from extreme weather, according to Integrated Pump Technology. The company says waiting weeks for imported equipment is not an option when safety, production and infrastructure are at risk, with its inventory of Grindex electrical submersible pumps and Godwin diesel-driven pumps allowing it to move from assessment to deployment almost immediately. Weir reports it has built the largest installed base of dewatering and slurry pumps in Africa's mining sector through technical expertise, equipment optimisation and a service network staffed by local engineers.

Dewatering Updates


Successful dewatering depends on more than pump selection
3rd July 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

Selecting the right pump for a dewatering application is often far more complex than anticipated, as many operations underestimate just how application-specific dewatering can be, says pumps... 


An image of a Yuchai water pump engine
Diesel pumps remain a reliable solution despite sustainability concerns
3rd July 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

While rising fuel costs and sustainability considerations are encouraging equipment electrification, diesel engine provider YC Diesel GM Paul Lastrucci says diesel pumps remain the most reliable... 


Northern Cape copper mining being revived.
Capital raised to turn South African copper projects into mining operations
22nd May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

More than R180-million has been raised to transition key copper projects in South Africa’s endowed Northern Cape into operations as early as in the second quarter of this year. The strongly... 


Image of a Weir mining pump solution
Pump solutions for Africa’s mining sector
22nd May 2026

Global mining technology company Weir asserts that it has built the largest installed base of dewatering and slurry pumps in Africa’s mining sector, through a combination of technical expertise,... 


MTR donates slurry pump to mining-focused school to boost hands-on engineering skills
22nd May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

Mogale Tailings Retreatment (MTR) has donated a R600 000 slurry pump to the Mandisa Shiceka School of Specialisation to promote South African mining skills upliftment. The high school specialises... 


Drill holes shown in green at Flat Mine East.
Northern Cape copper drilling provides clear scale-up path
20th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The latest drilling at Okiep in South Africa’s copper-endowed Northern Cape has provided a clear path to scale up at Flat Mine East, where a down-dip extension hole is already being developed as a... 


Image of pumps on a mobile trailer
Rapid dewatering response critical in extreme weather conditions
8th May 2026

The ability to deploy dewatering solutions rapidly is an important part of managing risk in mining and infrastructure operations, especially in conditions of extreme weather. Integrated Pump... 


An image of Project Roan
Jubilee’s nine-month copper output up 28.7% y/y
6th May 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Zambia-focused integrated copper producer and resource developer Jubilee Metals’ total saleable copper production for the nine months ended March 31 increased by 28.7% year-on-year to 2 177 t.... 


Marnus Koorts, General Manager – Original Equipment at Weir
Weir Leads Africa’s Mining Sector with Trusted, Risk-Mitigating Pump Solutions
4th May 2026

Weir has established the largest installed base of dewatering and slurry pumps in Africa’s mining sector by helping customers de-risk their pumping operations – combining technical excellence and... 


Western Queen openpit
Rumble Resources inks updated royalty agreement with Elemental
4th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

A subsidiary of ASX-listed Rumble Resources has entered into a transaction with a subsidiary of Elemental Royalty Corporation whereby Elemental will pay A$10-million to acquire a 2.5% net smelter... 


Weir builds sustainable mining performance through local presence in West Africa
Weir builds sustainable mining performance through local presence in West Africa
24th April 2026

Across West Africa’s rapidly evolving mining sector, proximity, responsiveness and technical depth have become decisive factors in supplier selection. For Weir, this has translated into a... 


Integrated Pump Technology advances Mine Dewatering across Africa
Integrated Pump Technology advances Mine Dewatering across Africa
24th April 2026

Integrated Pump Technology is playing a critical role in helping mining operations across Africa remain productive in the face of persistent groundwater ingress - both on surface and underground.... 


Integrated Pump Technology enables immediate mobilisation of dewatering solutions through its local pump stockholding, ensuring rapid response
Why local pump stockholding is redefining rapid dewatering response
8th April 2026

As climate volatility increases across southern Africa, the ability to deploy dewatering solutions rapidly has become a defining factor in how mining and infrastructure operations manage risk.... 


Godwin pump on mining site
SA mining presents opportunities, growing pump demand
20th March 2026 By: Tracy Klückow

While having been focused on expanding into the rest of Africa, pumps specialist Integrated Pump Technology knows the importance of prioritising South Africa’s mining sector by delivering reliable... 


Integrated Pump Technology image
Integrated Pump Technology drives dewatering success across Africa
20th February 2026

Pump supplier Integrated Pump Technology has been at the forefront of helping mining operations manage the persistent challenge of groundwater ingress, both on surface and underground. Groundwater... 


The image above depicts one of the pumps featured in Schurco Slurry's DW Series
New mining pump tackles abrasive dewatering duties
13th February 2026 By: Lynne Davies

Developed to bridge the gap between clear-water dewatering pumps and heavy duty mining pumps, pump manufacturer Schurco Slurry’s DW Series offers a purpose-built solution capable of handling... 


The above image depicts a Gridex Pump being off loaded
Pumps supplier scales up dewatering performance
13th February 2026

As African mines deepen and conditions grow more complex, water management remains one of the sector’s most persistent operational challenges. Groundwater ingress, seasonal flooding and... 


Integrated Pump Technology supports mines with high performance dewatering solutions designed to keep operations stable during heavy rainfall and changing pit conditions
Dewatering trends shaping pump choices in African mines
3rd February 2026

As African mines go deeper and rainfall patterns grow increasingly unpredictable, dewatering has moved beyond being a support function to become a strategic discipline. The choice between... 


Multistage Dewatering Pumps Improve Efficiency for UK Mining Facility
Multistage Dewatering Pumps Improve Efficiency for UK Mining Facility
28th November 2025

Effective dewatering sits at the heart of modern mining. It ensures operations remain productive and that the mine can continue to function safely and sustainably. When water isn’t properly... 


Image of The PAC SH pump from IPR
New pump for deep mining environments
28th November 2025

A new self-priming centrifugal single-stage pump range, now available from Integrated Pump Rental (IPR), offers a maximum head of 235 m and a maximum flow of 2 000 m³ and is said to provide... 


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