Benin has commissioned a new on-site power plant in the capital, Cotonou, to boost energy resilience at its flagship sports stadium

The 3 MVA power plant consists of two CGM 1500P generator sets equipped with Perkins Engines Company Limited engines, Mecc Alte alternators and ComAp Group control units IGEN1000+IV.

In a statement posted on its social media, Italy’s CGM said the project sits inside the capital’s Cotonou stadium and would serve a retail complex inside.

“The system features generators with 400 V output, combined with step-up transformers to 11 kV, with the entire installation protected by medium-voltage switchgear, ensuring high standards of safety and reliability,” the statement read.

The CGM statement added that it was a solution designed to deliver efficiency, reliability, and energy continuity, even for the most demanding applications.

“The project was developed to provide emergency power supply for a new shopping centre located inside the Cotonou stadium in Benin" the post noted.

"In the event of a grid outage, the power plant will start automatically, guaranteeing continuity of power to all installations.”

CGM also highlighted the role of various other key partners involved in the operation such as La Roche Benin, Hitech-ITB Bénin and Helios Engineering Group.

Roller manufacturer Hamm has introduced the Smart Compact Pro under the motto “Measure it right. Measure it now.”

For the first time, real-time density is being used as a decisive parameter for qualitative assessment and integrated into automated compaction. Smart Compact Pro makes a significant contribution to extending the service life of road surfaces and, in the long term, reduces construction and repair costs, as well as potential additional expenses for the contractor.

Automated compaction with Smart Compact

Despite advances in digitalisation, asphalt compaction has so far been heavily dependent on empirical data and the experience of the roller driver. Consistent double passes and the correct use of dynamic compaction were often dependent on the driver’s knowledge. Since 2022, the Smart Compact digital compaction assistant from Hamm has been simplifying the compaction process in asphalt construction by controlling the compaction modes and forces based on the selected layer type – base, binder or surface course – automatically and separately for both drums.

The system continuously monitors the asphalt’s physical properties, such as temperature and rigidity, as well as its complex cooling behaviour, to ensure homogeneous compaction by applying the optimum compaction energy and modes in each case. There is even the option of incorporating local weather data.

Smart Compact Pro with real-time density measurement: Higher quality, lower costs

Hamm is now expanding Smart Compact to incorporate an essential measured value – real-time asphalt density. Industry experts agree that it is the decisive parameter for qualitative assessment during the compaction process and will become the key indicator for rigorously meeting regulatory requirements and minimising financial deductions.

Smart Compact Pro closes this gap by integrating the new “Realtime Density Scan” sensor into the automated compaction process. It determines the asphalt density in real time by measuring the dielectric conductivity of the asphalt mix to be compacted, therefore forming the basis for the correlation with the asphalt density or the porosity. Both parameters are crucial for self-monitoring or control testing. With the help of real-time density, Smart Compact Pro is able to provide construction companies with a decisive advantage by accurately implementing regulatory requirements.

This can significantly reduce potential financial deductions due to inadequate quality in the construction work and also save costs for premature repairs. Using Smart Compact Pro also significantly reduces the costs for extracting drill cores.

In summary, the world-first integration of real-time density into automated compaction represents a significant step forward for asphalt compaction. Even inexperienced operators can achieve optimal compaction results with Smart Compact Pro, with no need for extensive prior knowledge. This offers a significant boost for construction companies in times of an increasing shortage of skilled workers.

Weir Group has been awarded a contract to supply its ENDURON high pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) to Ivanhoe Mines for use at the Platreef Mine, supporting the project’s Phase 2 expansion

The HPGR circuit will form part of the concentrator’s tertiary crushing stage. The decision to incorporate this technology draws on its proven performance at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, which Ivanhoe Mines operates in partnership with Zijin Mining.

Situated roughly 280 km northeast of Johannesburg, the Platreef Mine represents one of the largest undeveloped precious metals deposits globally. Phase 1 production commenced in November 2025, while Phase 2 is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. Ivanhoe Mines is also planning a further expansion phase aimed at positioning Platreef among the world’s largest and lowest-cost producers of platinum group metals (PGMs).

ENDURON HPGR technology offers an energy-efficient comminution solution, using up to 40% less energy than conventional tumbling mills. This contributes to reduced operational costs and lower carbon emissions. The financial details of the contract have not been disclosed.

Bjorn Dierx, Weir, director of HPGR and Process, said, "Weir is delighted to be partnering with Ivanhoe Mines to supply our proven ENDURON HPGR technology. There has been a discernible trend in the mining sector towards reducing its environmental impact in recent years. The continued adoption of HPGR systems as the preferred solution for efficient, high-performance and sustainable ore processing provides one of the most significant opportunities in this regard."

"We have a large installed base of ENDURON HPGRs, and these orders reflect the strong confidence miners have in Weir’s advanced grinding technology and process expertise."

"Weir has always prioritised the service and support element of these partnerships. We understand the importance of being close to our customers and, in this case, we have a service centre less than 10km from the site to ensure we can provide immediate support during operations."

Steve Amos, Ivanhoe Mines, executive vice-president, projects, remarked, ‘HPGR technology is now fairly standard in the mining industry and has proven to be cost and energy efficient. Ivanhoe Mines has extensive HPGR operational experience gained from the three operating HPGRs at our Kamoa copper mine in DRC. We look forward to a successful and long-lasting partnership with Weir.’

Transnet SOC Ltd has released a Request for Qualification to begin identifying a private sector partner for its Private Sector Participation project at the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal

The RFQ marks a significant step under Transnet’s Reinvent for Growth Strategy and reflects its intention to formally engage the market to enhance operational efficiency, secure private investment and reinforce the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s freight and logistics network.

The Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal serves as a vital export hub for bulk commodities, especially chrome and magnetite. Through the PSP initiative, Transnet aims to harness private sector capital and operational expertise to strengthen reliability and efficiency, enable future capacity expansion and maintain strategic control of the asset.

In addition, the project is expected to create opportunities linked to supplier development, local participation and community upliftment, particularly in the Richards Bay area.

As the first stage of the selection process, the RFQ calls on interested bidders to demonstrate their technical expertise, operational track record, financial strength and compliance with Transnet’s stipulated requirements. Applicants must also present clear and measurable proposals detailing how they will advance community upliftment through the PSP arrangement. Parties that satisfy the qualification criteria may progress to a subsequent Request for Proposal phase.

Transnet has emphasised that the PSP process will be managed transparently and competitively, in full alignment with applicable governance standards and regulatory obligations. Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders, including employees, organised labour and government, will remain central throughout the process.

South Africa has joined the ranks of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), bringing with it an US$8bn country programme that will target industrialisation efforts in the republic, and support projects in sectors like mining, automotives and manufacturing

It becomes the 54th state to accede to the banking group, marking the formal entry of one of Africa’s largest economies into the Bank’s membership, “heralding deeper financial sovereignty,” an Afreximbank statement read.

The bank called the accession a “historic milestone” as the two partners seek to unlock trade opportunities “within a global financial architecture that is rapidly fragmenting due to protectionist policies and shifting trade blocks.”

The US$8 billion country programme aims to enhance industrial development and regional supply chains and boost intra-African trade and investment flows, Afreximbank said.

“We have put together what we consider an important package of US$8bn for South Africa,” said Dr George Elombi, the bank’s president and chairman.

“The country programme is aligned with South Africa's national development plan 2030 and national industrial and trade priorities, and targets key strategic areas.”

He added that Afreximbank’s current pipeline of projects in South Africa, at different stages of review, already exceeds US$6bn, spanning healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, energy and the industrial and mining sectors.

Leveraging Afreximbank’s trade infrastructure and pan-African reach, South Africa can also more readily diversify export markets and further regional economic integration.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called it a milestone in the quest to realise the economic integration of our continent.

“South Africa’s accession to the African Export-Import Bank affirms our commitment to African industrial development and to deepening trade, investment and development across our continent,” he said.

“Once finalised, the South African-Afreximbank country programme will be operationalised with a finance package that will initially support a range of strategic projects across the trade and industrial cluster.”

He said one of those areas to receive immediate effect will be the nation’s Transformation Fund with the aim of supporting more black businesses.

“This partnership will strengthen in more ways than one South Africa’s ability to support South African exporters, industrial projects and regional value chains while advancing our continent’s progress.”

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A new report from management consultancy Arthur D. Little warns that rising product portfolio complexity is quietly eroding profitability in the manufacturing sector, constraining digital growth, and limiting operational flexibility.

The study, Rise of Complexity in Manufacturing, highlights that companies must take decisive action to simplify their offerings and leverage modularisation to stay competitive.

“Unchecked complexity is a silent profitability killer,” the report states. “With resources limited and markets increasingly commoditised, companies must reduce product portfolio complexity to drive profitability and innovation.”

Manufacturers often expand product variants to meet customer demand, but without systematic portfolio pruning, these efforts generate hidden costs. Non-customer-facing complexity such as outdated products, excessive SKUs, and intricate internal processes can slow development, reduce scalability, and impede time to market.

The report identifies four key challenges for manufacturers: maintaining profitability amid market commoditisation, differentiating through digital solutions, ensuring supply chain resilience, and balancing legacy systems with emerging technologies such as new materials, battery-powered engines, or alternative fuels.

Arthur D. Little recommends a data-driven approach to complexity, starting with measuring the cost of complexity (CoC) across product lines and functions. A monetary proxy for CoC can capture inefficiencies in development, manufacturing, warehousing, and support, helping firms identify underperforming products for phaseout.

Strategic modularisation is highlighted as a crucial tool for managing complexity. By designing standardised, interchangeable product modules, manufacturers can simplify portfolios, accelerate time to market, and reduce costs while enabling cost-effective customisation.

The report cites Electrolux, which cut component numbers by 40% and reduced development time by 30% through modular design, and Siemens, which applied modularity to its industrial automation systems, reducing design time by 40% and improving scalability.

Arthur D. Little stresses that complexity reduction requires more than technical solutions: it demands cross-functional coordination, strong governance, and a cultural shift away from short-term gains. Companies must embed modular principles in product development, eliminate low-performing products, and ensure that both hardware and software systems are designed with simplicity in mind.

“Reducing product portfolio complexity is not a technical fix — it is a strategic transformation,” the report concludes. “By making complexity measurable, pruning underperforming products, and embedding modular design, manufacturers can release trapped value, improve speed to market, and build more resilient operations.”

The consultancy urges manufacturers to act decisively now, turning awareness of complexity into structured strategies for long-term profitability and innovation.