Zambian President Praises Chinese Equipment: Large-Scale Intelligent Drainage System Solves Global Mining Challenges
Release time:
Nov 04,2025
"Look at the drainage technology at Shaft 28 - we urgently need to implement this in our KCM project! Technology shouldn't carry labels; what makes technology good is its ability to solve problems efficiently." This recent statement stood out during the opening ceremony of the second Zambia International Mining and Investment Conference (ZAMII) at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka. In his keynote address that captured the audience's attention, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema cited the drainage engineering at China Nonferrous Mining Corporation's Luanshya Shaft 28 as a successful case, offering full endorsement of the technical sophistication and application value of China's large-scale intelligent drainage systems. This recognition subsequently spotlighted Hefei Hengda Jianghai Pump Industry Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Hengda Jianghai") among the conference exhibitors.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second Zambia International Mining and Investment Conference (ZAMII).
High-Tech Equipment Makes a Splash at Africa's Mining Grand Stage
As a premier platform in Africa's mining sector, the second Zambia International Mining and Investment Conference (ZAMII), under the theme "Unlocking Africa's Wealth: Advancing Sustainable Mining, Mineral Processing, and Value Addition," attracted over 2,000 participants. These included global leaders from government, business, academia, mining enterprises, and financial institutions, who gathered to explore new opportunities for the development of Africa's mining industry.
At this pivotal conference shaping the future of African mining, President Hakainde Hichilema repeatedly referenced the dewatering project at the new mine of China Nonferrous Mining Corporation's Luanshya Copper Mines (CNMC Luanshya). The project involves Shaft 28, an ultra-deep shaft reaching 1,200 meters, which required draining an immense 170 million cubic meters of water—a volume equivalent to 13 times that of Hangzhou's West Lake. The unprecedented scale and extreme depth of this dewatering challenge had previously deterred numerous global investors due to its unparalleled difficulty in world mining history. However, Hengda Jianghai's self-developed large-scale intelligent drainage system successfully overcame this formidable obstacle.
Hengda Jianghai's high-power intelligent submersible pumps have become "star products" within Zambia's mining industry. President Hichilema has personally visited the Luanshya dewatering project site multiple times, witnessing firsthand the hoisting of the pumps and participating in the initiation of the drainage operation, experiencing the robust capabilities of Chinese technology. To date, this large-scale intelligent drainage system has operated stably for over 550 days, cumulatively discharging 74 million cubic meters of water. A single pump has achieved a continuous operation record exceeding 7,100 hours. Furthermore, the project has created additional multiple benefits by channeling the drained water to downstream hydropower stations, thereby helping to alleviate Zambia's electricity shortages. "The recommendation from the Zambian President is not only trust but also a responsibility," stated the head of Hengda Jianghai's international operations.
To fully demonstrate the prowess of "Intelligent Manufacturing in China" at the ZAMII conference, Hengda Jianghai transported one of its high-power intelligent submersible pumps—identical to the main models deployed at CNMC Luanshya's Shaft 28—all the way to Africa by air. Throughout the exhibition, Hengda Jianghai's booth attracted a constant stream of visitors. Zambia's Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, and Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, H.E. Du Xiaohui, spent considerable time at the booth, inquiring in detail about the intelligent regulation principles of the large-scale drainage system. "This integrated system, which combines large-scale intelligent submersible pumps, digital twin technology, and intelligent control, can adapt in real-time to complex underground conditions. It achieves over 30% energy savings compared to traditional equipment, fully aligning with the 'sustainable development' needs of African mining," introduced Wang Bing, Member of the Hefei Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Executive Vice General Manager of Hengda Jianghai, on site.

"At the time, the project initiated a global 'talent search' to tackle the challenge, yet almost no one believed the task could be accomplished," recalled the project manager from CNMC Luanshya. Due to the lack of precedent for a project of this scale, European and American companies withdrew one after another. Ultimately, it was Hengda Jianghai's self-adaptive, variable-condition, multi-phase flow intelligent mine drainage system that broke the technological deadlock.
By participating in international mining forums, Hengda Jianghai has actively showcased its core technological strengths to the world, deepened exchanges and cooperation with diverse stakeholders, and vigorously expanded its presence in the African market. China's high-end intelligent mine drainage systems now not only serve the domestic mining industry but also contribute cutting-edge technological expertise to the global mining sector.
Charting a New Course for China-Africa Mining with Tech-Driven Innovation
Africa, with its abundant mineral resources, holds approximately 30% of the world's proven reserves of critical minerals. Under the guidance of the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Africa mining cooperation has flourished, leveraging complementary advantages and fostering people-to-people bonds. A growing number of Chinese technologies are taking root in Africa, driving the evolution of this cooperation from mere "resource extraction" towards collaborative "value co-creation." Hengda Jianghai, recognized as the source of China's large submersible pump technology and a national-level manufacturing champion, a key Little Giant specializing in niche markets, and a national technology innovation demonstration enterprise, is powerfully enabling the development of African mining with its globally leading large-scale intelligent drainage systems.
The company's robust capabilities in mine water control and its undisputed position as a global leader in large submersible pumps stem from its deep commitment to innovation. Hengda Jianghai consistently prioritizes technological innovation as its core driver, having cultivated expertise in automation control for three decades. Through its relentless pursuit of technological advancement and strict quality control, it has established an exceptional reputation in the field of large submersible pumps.

Pump Installation and Dewatering in Progress at Zambia's New Luanshya Mine
Through sustained innovation, Hengda Jianghai has overcome a series of key technical challenges in the large-scale development of submersible pumps. The company has developed a range of highly efficient, reliable, and stable submersible motor equipment, securing numerous patents and core technologies with independent intellectual property rights, thereby filling multiple critical technology gaps both domestically and internationally. After breaking foreign technological monopolies and ending import dependency for key equipment, Hengda Jianghai has successfully achieved the monumental leap from being a technology follower to a global leader. Its large submersible pumps now rank at the forefront internationally in key performance metrics such as outlet diameter, flow rate, head, power, and voltage level. The development of its integrated Five-in-One Intelligent Large-scale Electric Pump Control System has significantly broadened the application scope and enhanced the practical value of submersible pumps, enabling them to better meet the demands of diverse and complex operational scenarios.
Leveraging years of accumulated technical expertise and innovative ingenuity, Hengda Jianghai has developed a new generation of large-scale intelligent submersible pump drainage units. This system has been appraised by an expert panel led by Chinese Academy of Engineering academicians Chen Xuedong, Wu Qiang, and Wang Hao, and has been certified as internationally leading. It incorporates major innovative upgrades in cooling, thrust bearings, and AI-powered sensing. The system provides a comprehensive solution for mine drainage, encompassing digital twin systems, the ZNZK Five-in-One Intelligent Large-scale Electric Pump Control Unit, large-scale DCS systems, and the intelligent submersible pumps themselves.

Pump Installation at the New Luanshya Mine, Zambia
These innovations have been fully implemented and are continuously evolving through real-world application. Following the dewatering project at CNMC Luanshya's new mine, Hengda Jianghai secured a single-source contract for the emergency dewatering operation at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – the world's second-largest copper mine – a testament to its cutting-edge technology and rapid response capabilities. Faced with a water inflow incident in a 500-meter-deep shaft triggered by a seismic event, the company specially designed and manufactured five large intelligent submersible pumps, each with a flow rate of 2,200 cubic meters per hour, in just 40 days. These critical units were airlifted directly to the site from Zhengzhou Airport via three chartered Boeing 747-400F cargo planes for emergency deployment. Concurrently, Hengda Jianghai dispatched technical and service teams to remain on-site, overcoming challenging local conditions to ensure the successful installation and commissioning of the equipment.
The advanced technology, remarkable "China Speed" of deployment, and the equipment's reliable performance post-commissioning earned high praise from the project owner. The successful execution of this project not only represents a major breakthrough for Hengda Jianghai in expanding its African market presence but also signifies the formal entry of China's high-end intelligent mining drainage equipment systems into the international top tier. It provides a groundbreaking Chinese solution for global deep-shaft mine dewatering, rehabilitation, and emergency rescue operations.
"From Zambia to the Democratic Republic of Congo, we have demonstrated through technology that Chinese equipment is capable of tackling the world's most demanding mining challenges," stated Zhu Qinglong, Chairman of Hengda Jianghai.
Currently, Hengda Jianghai is collaborating with Chinese mining enterprises to deepen local partnerships in Zambia and across Africa. This strategy not only supports African mining in unlocking greater resource value but also continuously expands the company's own international development space, writing a new chapter for China-Africa mining cooperation. Hengda Jianghai's innovation-driven global journey stands as a vivid testament to the overseas expansion of China's high-end equipment and the realization of "value co-creation." As President Hakainde Hichilema remarked at the closing ceremony of ZAMII, "China-Africa cooperation is not merely about technology transfer; it is a partnership journey where we jointly unlock development potential."
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