It’s no surprise that mining is fraught with danger. Miners face many health and safety risks, from operating mobile plant equipment to hazardous airborne particles produced during mineral processing.
One such risk is flooding caused by the mining method and environmental factors, including heavy rainfall and a rising water table, which threaten site safety, productivity, and performance. To overcome this challenge, dewatering plays a critical role in maintaining a safe, reliable, and efficient operation by removing water from surface and underground locations.
Dewatering on a commercial scale demands highly specialised pump systems engineered to meet different project applications within specific mine environments. Selecting the appropriate dewatering system is key to sustaining long-term productivity and profitability.
The Dowdens Pneumatic Dewatering Pod was developed to offer clients a dewatering solution when power is not available due to a planned outage or fault.
Coupled with the ever-increasing lead times for electrical components and motors and the cost of powering hazardous areas, this non-powered solution will assist our clients with keeping their operations on track.
Mine site water is collected from around the mine from sumps and wet areas, then delivered to the pod where the pumps transfer the collected mine water to a main station, dam or to another pod.
Pneumatically operated pumps are the intrinsically safe option when dewatering in an underground coal mine. These pumps are often connected to the air supply and left to run nonstop, whether there is water or not.
This results in excess air being wasted, which is not only a cost to the company for the air, but also increases the maintenance costs of the pump as it is operating when it is not required.
To optimise air consumption efficiency and reduce maintenance costs, Dowdens has successfully developed a system that starts and stops the pneumatic pump using the rise and fall of the water level without the need for a mechanical or electrical float device.
Dowdens are also authorised distributors of the Tsurumi electrical submersible pump range. These premium Japanese-quality pumps have been manufactured since 1924 and feature patented, cutting-edge technology, making them among the most reliable and trusted pumps on the market.
The pump sizes range from 0.4kW up to 185kW and are available in 240V, 415V and 1000V, as well as an explosion-proof range. With flows up to an impressive 233 L/sec and head pressure of just over 240m, these pumps are designed to withstand the harshest environments.
Since 2007, Dowdens has been the exclusive Australian distributor of the ATS 2000 Vortex range of heavy-duty submersible lubrication-free pneumatic pumps.
These compact, lightweight pumps are designed to operate in extreme mining conditions, feature low air consumption, rust-free technology, and provide a balance of toughness, durability and versatility.
Several models are available featuring a single pump weighing just 17kg and a maximum head of 80m, and a maximum flow of 764 L/min. The Tandem set-up can achieve a maximum head of 140m, which has never previously been seen in a pneumatic submersible pump.
With decades of experience, we have solidified our position as a leading pumping and water treatment organisation. Our extensive capabilities and expertise enable us to deliver a wide range of products and services tailored to enhance productivity, efficiency, and market advantage across diverse industries.
Explore Dowdens’ Knowledge Base’s comprehensive range of resources to gain valuable insights into pumping, irrigation, and water treatment. Whether you’re seeking quick answers to common questions or in-depth guidance for troubleshooting complex issues, our Knowledge Base has you covered.
View our comprehensive library of supplier product videos and Dowdens’ latest product offerings in action. The video library will provide insights and give you a better understanding of how our products work and can be used. Included in the video library below is the design and construction of a 5-Megalitre Clear Water Reservoir at the Clermont Water Treatment Plant.
Explore Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment’s expertise through our extensive collection of case studies. Discover how our innovative and practical solutions are crafted to achieve outstanding results for clients across a wide range of industries.
The Dowdens Team are ready to help. Contact us today for more information and to start the conversation.
Dowdens has four convenient locations throughout Queensland. We have branches in Mackay and Proserpine in the north, servicing the Sugar and Coal industries, a centrally located branch in Rockhampton, specialising in the Agricultural and Coal industries, and a branch in Brisbane, servicing multiple industries in southeast Queensland.
Click on the Google Map pins below to learn more about the Branch closest to you and its capabilities.
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