PUMPS & PIPELINES
KTV3-55 heavy-duty pump, the largest model in Tsurumi’ s widely used series. The LB480 belongs to the compact series and is designed for 230 V, while the KTV3-55 runs on 400 V. Submersible pumps of this class are commonly used for drainage on mining sites in sump areas of open pits. They are designed for the unattended pumping of media with significant solid content under continuous load.
Tsurumi says mobile battery storage systems are now coming into focus as one alternative to power dewatering pumps on mining sites
The power consumption during startup and continuous operation is technically crucial for battery operation. Typical drainage pumps with a motor power of 0.48 kW to over 5 kW require a stable AC power supply with high starting currents. Until now, this could only be reliably provided offgrid by high-quality generators. However, modern battery systems can now cover these peak loads.
A mobile battery storage unit from Instagrid was used as the energy source. This is designed as a portable, off-grid power supply. Both pumps were connected directly and operated under realistic drainage conditions. The results show that both the compact LB480 and the more powerful KTV3-55 were able to pump an average of around 40,000 litres of water on a single battery charge. The KTV even moved 44 cubic metres in less than 50 minutes.
For operators, this represents a genuine alternative to mains connection. According to the manufacturer, the‘ Go’ and‘ Link Max’ mobile power storage units used are specially designed to operate energyintensive power tools and construction equipment without voltage drops. This is particularly important for the start-up behaviour of pumps with inductive motors. From a technical perspective, the test shows above all that even powerful pumps with high delivery rates can be reliably operated on mobile battery systems in continuous operation without any loss of
48 delivery rate or operational safety.
The combination of Tsurumi pumps and Instagrid batteries enables emission-free and low-noise operation. Tsurumi says this can be a decisive advantage for mining sites in noise-sensitive areas. There is no need for special precautions for water protection areas and energy is saved as no standby power needs to be generated.“ This sustainable solution also greatly simplifies logistics: pump, battery, hose – that’ s all you need.” Combining this with its‘ smart’ control and monitoring system- Tsurumi Connect- which also works with other brands, and it says mining users have a state-of-the-art pumping system at their disposal.
Weir mill circuit pumps at 5,300 m above sea level
Weir recently successfully installed China’ s largest mill circuit slurry pump at a site in the Tibet Autonomous Region( TAR), which is 5,300 m above sea level. The order included six WARMAN ® MCR ® 650 pumps and two WARMAN MCR 750 pumps. With the location being so high up, the thin air and freezing temperatures make for a complex operating environment, Weir says. Despite these challenges, the Weir service team successfully carried out the installation on schedule, completing the precise lifting, positioning and pipeline connections of multiple large-scale, high-end pumps while overcoming low temperatures, oxygen scarcity and harsh terrain to ensure steady progress toward key milestones.
Angela Wang, Weir, Managing Director, China, said:“ Delivering the largest slurry pumps in China is a significant technical achievement and the fact that Weir was able to do this at such a high-altitude site epitomises our commitment to being at the forefront of reliability in the mining industry.”
She added:“ The Chinese slurry pump market is one of the most competitive in the world. There are a lot of new, local competitors that make claims about their products’ performance, but these are rarely backed by reliable, long-term operational data. Weir, on the other hand, has a vast installed base, world-class manufacturing and testing facilities and an unrivalled service network. That’ s why Weir is still the preferred partner for Chinese miners, particularly for large-scale, challenging projects like this one.”
Elias Aho, Weir, Pump Optimisation Director, said:“ It’ s great to see WARMAN MCR 750 pump installations now in China too. Weir has been at the forefront supplying and supporting the largest, highest capacity mill pumps on the market. With declining ore grades and increased demand, large mill pumps are increasingly playing a vital role in helping miners boost their throughput.
“ Delivering these solutions at high
The Weir service team in front of one of the WARMAN ® MCR ® 750 slurry pumps at over 5,300 at a mine in Tibet, China
altitude sites has some significant engineering challenges, but Weir’ s team of experts – drawing on decades of experience from across the globe – continues to be trusted by miners with their most critical mill circuit operations.”
WARMAN AH horizontal pump passes 60th anniversary
Last October, Weir also marked the 60th anniversary of its iconic WARMAN ® AH ® horizontal slurry pump. Since its debut in 1965, the pump has set the global standard for operational performance, equipment reliability and innovation in slurry handling, the company says. Trusted across mine sites worldwide, the WARMAN AH horizontal slurry pump has powered critical operations for six decades and remains a pillar of processing applications, including cyclone feed, flotation, regrind and tailings.
The WARMAN ® AH ® horizontal slurry pump continues to evolve to meet modern operational demands
Anastasia Zimsen, Marketing Manager, WARMAN Pumps, said:“ It’ s rare for any product to remain the undisputed leader in its category for six decades, but the WARMAN AH horizontal slurry pump has done just that. As the number one heavy-
International Mining | JUNE 2026