Pumping System

A pumping system for pumping a medium comprising a liquid with ore particles from an underground or subsea location to a surface at a raised level, the system comprising:

• at least one pressure exchange chamber, located at a significantly lower altitude than the raised level, and comprising an elongate pipe which extends in a transverse orientation, and having a driving fluid valve arrangement at one end, and a pumped medium valve arrangement at the opposite end;
• a pressurised discharge at a delivery end of the system on the pumped medium valve arrangement side of the pressure exchange chamber;
• a riser extending upwardly from the delivery end to the raised level and for delivering the medium thereto;
• a fluid source at approximately the same level as the pressure exchange chamber to provide water to mix with ore to create the medium;
• a filling mechanism operable to fill the pressure exchange chamber with the medium;
• and
• a positive displacement pump connected to the pressure exchange chamber and operable to pump a driving fluid in direct contact with the medium so that the medium is displaced from the pressure exchange chamber to the pressurised discharge by the driving fluid.