--- title: What Are the Different Types of Pumps Used in Mining? date: 2026-03-15T01:00:00Z modified: 2026-03-18T01:07:28Z permalink: "https://www.defucc.com/blog/applications/types-of-pumps-used-in-mining/" type: post status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 2129 categories: - applications featured_image: "https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/What-Are-the-Different-Types-of-Pumps-Used-in-Mining.webp" featured_image_alt: What Are the Different Types of Pumps Used in Mining timestamp: 2026-03-18T01:07:28Z tags: - applications --- The types of pumps used in mining include centrifugal [slurry pumps](https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/slurry-pump-vs-dewatering-pump.md), **dewatering pumps**, **flood drainage pumps**, positive displacement pumps, diaphragm pumps, and multistage high-head pumps. Each handles different conditions, from clean water transfer to abrasive slurry transport and chemical dosing. ## **Why Mines Need Different Pumps for Different Jobs** Walk through any mining operation and you’ll encounter wildly different fluids. Clean groundwater floods shafts and sumps. Abrasive slurries carry crushed rock through processing circuits. Corrosive chemicals treat ore in leaching tanks. Thick sludges crawl through dewatering systems. A pump built for clean water won’t last a month handling abrasive slurry. Equipment designed for thick sludge can’t move water fast enough when a pit floods. Getting the match right means equipment runs for years instead of months. ## **Centrifugal Slurry Pumps** Centrifugal slurry pumps do the heavy lifting in mining, moving ore concentrate, tailings, and crushed rock suspended in water through miles of pipeline. Inside the pump, a high-speed impeller spins and throws slurry outward. That momentum pushes material through the discharge line. But slurry pumps look nothing like their clean water cousins: ● Thick, open impellers let large particles pass without jamming ● High-chrome alloys or rubber linings stand up to abrasive wear ● Heavy casings absorb impact from rocks tumbling through ● Wide passages keep solids moving instead of packing ![](https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Internal-structure-of-a-heavy-duty-centrifugal-slurry-pump-for-mining.webp) Horizontal models handle most plant work. Vertical cantilever pumps hang into sumps where horizontal mounting won’t fit. Here’s something procurement teams miss: slurry pump sizing has to match the settling velocity of solids in the stream. Too small and solids drop out, packing the pipeline. Too large and wear accelerates while energy bills climb. The [centrifugal pump ](https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/product_cat/centrifugal-pump.md)[r](https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/product_cat/centrifugal-pump.md)[ange](https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/product_cat/centrifugal-pump.md) includes models for different slurry weights and particle sizes. ## **Submersible Dewatering Pumps** Submersible pumps drop directly into the water they’re removing. That’s their main advantage. No priming headaches, no suction limits. Lower them in, switch them on, water moves. Speed matters when a pit floods or a sump overflows. A crew can have a submersible running in minutes. Try that with a surface-mounted pump that needs priming and piping connections. Different builds fit different holes: ● Top-discharge models squeeze into narrow boreholes ● Side-discharge units work better in open sumps ● Heavy-duty versions chew through dirty, gritty water Submersibles handle some solids, but heavy slurry kills them fast. Many sites use submersibles to lift water partway, then feed it to bigger surface pumps for the final push to discharge. For mine dewatering pump selection in emergency or temporary setups, submersibles often make the most sense because installation takes minutes, not hours. ## **Dewatering Pumps** Dewatering keeps mines dry during normal operations. Groundwater seeps into shafts and sumps around the clock, and pumps remove it faster than it builds up. These pumps run for months between shutdowns. [Dewatering pumps](https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/dewatering-pump.md) for mining survive what kills standard equipment: ● Sand, clay particles, and drilling cuttings grinding through internals ● Low-pH fluids and leachates eating at metal components ● Cleaning cycles that would wear out lighter builds The TX and TH Series deliver flows to 1,021 m³/h with 7.6m suction lift and 76mm solids passing. Self-priming means no manual work during restarts. For deep mines, the MP Series vacuum-assisted pumps reach 2,360 m³/h with heads to 240m and 100mm solids handling. ## **Flood Drainage Pumps** Flood pumps handle emergencies. When storms overwhelm drainage or equipment fails, water rises fast. Pumps need to start and move volume now, not after twenty minutes of priming. The difference between flood pumps and dewatering pumps comes down to deployment speed and peak capacity. Dewatering runs steady over months. Flood response means moving thousands of cubic meters per hour for days, then sitting idle until the next event. Self-priming matters most here. A pump that needs manual priming wastes time while water climbs toward equipment worth millions. Vacuum-assisted priming systems let pumps start dry and begin moving water within seconds. Solids handling keeps pumps running when floodwater carries debris. Mud, rocks, vegetation, and whatever else washes in will jam pumps not built for dirty water. Semi-open impellers pass material that would clog enclosed designs. The JT and JU Series handle flood conditions with flows to 1,275 m³/h and 76mm solids passing. Self-priming to 7.6m suction lift means flexible positioning above water level. [Emergency flood pump solutions](https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/emergency-dewatering-pump-solutions.md) cover rapid-response equipment for mining, municipal, and industrial sites. Skid-mounted and trailer-mounted builds allow quick moves between flood-prone areas when conditions shift. JT JU Sellf Priming Sewage Pump JT&JU series Non Clog Self-priming Sewage Pump is the standard for industrial and sewage applications. [Explore Mine-Dewatering Pumps](https://www.defucc.com/product/jt-ju-sellf-priming-sewage-pump/) [ ![](https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JT-JU-Sellf-Priming-Sewage-Pump-1.webp) ](https://www.defucc.com/product/mamhml-slurry-pump/) ## **Positive Displacement Pumps** Positive displacement pumps push a fixed slug of fluid with every stroke. Pressure changes at the discharge don’t affect flow rate, which makes them valuable when consistent delivery matters. Piston and plunger versions handle high-pressure jobs: ● Feeding filter presses during dewatering ● Pushing tailings through long pipelines ● Moving thick underflow from thickeners ● Dosing chemicals at precise rates Maintenance runs higher than centrifugal pumps. Pistons, valves, and seals need regular attention. But when thick sludge would stall a centrifugal pump, positive displacement keeps pushing. Progressive cavity pumps work on similar principles. A helical rotor turns inside a shaped stator, moving viscous material in smooth, steady flow without pulsing. Tailings lines and processing stages with thick mixtures often run progressive cavity designs. ## **Diaphragm Pumps** Air-operated double diaphragm pumps run on compressed air instead of electricity. Underground coal mines and chemical areas use them because there’s no spark risk from electrical components. What makes them useful in mining: ● No wiring near the pumped fluid ● They prime themselves automatically ● Running dry doesn’t wreck them ● Abrasive and corrosive fluids don’t destroy the internals Flexible diaphragms separate the air side from the fluid side. Only the diaphragm face and wetted housing touch the material, so maintenance stays simple even with nasty fluids. Flow rates fall short of centrifugal pumps, so diaphragm units fit moderate-volume work. But for chemical dosing, sludge transfer in tight spaces, or dewatering where electricity isn’t safe, they earn their place. Our [diaphragm pump guide](https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/diaphragm-pump-technology-guide.md) covers more on how these pumps work and where they fit. ## **Multistage High-Head Pumps** Deep mines need to lift water hundreds of meters to the surface. A single impeller can’t generate enough pressure for that distance. Multistage pumps stack multiple impellers on one shaft, each adding pressure to the flow. Ten stages means ten times the head of a single-stage pump at the same speed. Deep operations can lift water from extreme depths without building pump stations at intermediate levels. Where multistage pumps earn their keep: ● Main dewatering from deep underground workings ● Emergency response when shafts flood ● High-pressure supply for dust suppression systems ● Feeding filter presses that need elevated pressure These pumps need relatively clean water. Abrasive particles grind through the tight clearances between stages, and performance drops fast. Settling or filtration upstream protects the investment. ## **Vertical Turbine and Cantilever Pumps** Vertical turbine pumps reach water sitting far below where conventional pumps can draw suction. The pump hangs vertically with the impeller submerged and the motor sitting safely above. Bearings and seals stay out of the abrasive fluid. Only the impeller and bowl assembly get wet, which cuts maintenance and extends parts life in dirty water. The small footprint helps in tight shaft stations where horizontal pumps won’t fit. Deep-level mines install vertical turbines where space runs short and water runs deep. Cantilever sump pumps use similar thinking for shallower jobs. The pump reaches into the sump without putting bearings in the fluid, reducing wear when handling abrasive or corrosive water. ## **Peristaltic Hose Pumps** Peristaltic pumps squeeze fluid through a flexible tube using rotating rollers. The pump mechanism never touches the fluid. Only the hose makes contact. That separation works well for: ● Extremely abrasive slurries that eat other pumps alive ● Corrosive process chemicals ● Shear-sensitive fluids needing gentle handling ● Precise metering and dosing work The hose wears out and needs replacement, but there are no seals or valves to fail. These pumps self-prime reliably and survive dry running, which simplifies operation when water levels bounce around. Lime milk dosing commonly uses peristaltic pumps. The abrasive calcium hydroxide slurry would chew through conventional seals in weeks. ## **Picking the Right Pump for Site Conditions** Pump types matter less than matching equipment to what’s actually happening on site. Water chemistry, solids content, vertical lift, and flow requirements all factor into selection. Our [industrial pump applications guide](https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/industrial-pump-types-applications-selection.md) breaks down how to match equipment to operating conditions. When flooding hits and normal systems can’t keep up, emergency dewatering configurations cover rapid-response equipment for urgent drainage. ## **Why Work With a Multi-Category Supplier** Mining sites need pumps for dewatering, flood control, sewage, slurry transport, and chemical handling. Buying from a supplier covering multiple categories keeps equipment compatible and simplifies spare parts inventory. DEFU runs three production bases with over 200 employees and launches more than 60 new products yearly. ISO9001-certified production and ISO9906-tested units back global pump brands, distributors, and project contractors with OEM and custom solutions. For pump recommendations matched to your mining conditions, reach out to our engineering team. [Get Free Quote](https://www.defucc.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/contact.md)