African Review

Mining

Condra to expand agent network in Africa after Tanzania crane deal

Condra hoists and overhead crane. (Image source: Condra)

South Africa’s Condra has received a succession of recent orders for overhead cranes and other lifting equipment that will be deployed across Africa and beyond, as it moves to expand its agent reach across the continent

Among them is an unpack-and-go machine whose shipping containers will become the crane’s gantry, following a deal struck with the company’s agent in Tanzania, Lynx Supply and Services.

The design of this five-ton double-girder crane — a one-off currently under manufacture for mine maintenance — makes use of the two 12-metre delivery containers as gantry supports.

After hoist, crab, girders, end-carriages and other components have been unpacked for assembly, an installation team will position the containers exactly 9.8 metres apart, then bolt rails to their tops to form the gantry.

Lynx, which will carry out the installation and commissioning work, also placed additional orders for wheel blocks, miscellaneous spare parts and a separate 10-ton, 10-metre-span single-girder gantry crane for an unnamed mining house.

Condra’s sub-Saharan agent network also includes Integrated Engineering Services in Zambia, Integrated Engineering Services in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Namcranes in Namibia and KL Cranes in Botswana.

Management is identifying additional potential agents in Ghana, Mozambique and Kenya, the company said in an update.

Other recent orders received by Condra in sub-Saharan Africa include a 10-ton portal crane for a maintenance application in Ghana.

The design of this crane overcomes floor loading limitations by spreading the machine mass across multiple nylon-treaded wheels at the base of the portal’s supporting legs.

The Ghanaian portal machine is linked to two further crane orders from the same customer, one of them for installation in Saudi Arabia.

Condra noted that it had also received enquiries from Chile and Peru, where the company is reestablishing agency relationships adversely affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Service proximity and availability must be carefully considered alongside purchase price if losses due to downtime are not to negate and even exceed the initial savings of an attractive price,” said a Condra spokesman.

“Condra has long and strong relationships with agents across sub-Saharan Africa to deliver the necessary rapid response time on service calls. Our Johannesburg spares division will deliver parts anywhere in Africa in five days or less, minimising production losses due to crane downtime. In South Africa we deliver in a maximum of 48 hours.”

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FLS strengthens Mill Liner offering with South African acquisition

FLS enhances African mill liner capacity through Pretoria-based SSRE acquisition to support mining services

Leading mining technology and service provider FLS has acquired Scott specialised Rubber & Engineering (SSRE), a Pretoria-based company known for producing heavy-duty rubber products used across multiple industries, including mineral processing

The move aligns with FLS’s CORE’26 strategy, which emphasises strategic investments to grow its services portfolio. As a global frontrunner in large grinding mill technology, FLS is focused on expanding mill liner capacity, particularly in regions where supply limitations have affected service delivery.

“This acquisition represents an important milestone in our consumables growth strategy. By introducing mid-sized regional capacity in mill liners, we are enhancing our ability to service mining customers across Africa with greater speed and reliability,” commented Alanas Kraujalis, head of consumables at FLS.

Regional expansion

SSRE’s integration into FLS will enable the local production of rubber and composite mill liners. This change transitions FLS’s mill liner supply chain from an outsourced model to one with dedicated regional capacity.

“The new facility will establish local production of rubber and composite mill liners, shifting our supply model from outsourced to dedicated capacity. This transition will improve control, responsiveness and long-term resilience. Bringing manufacturing closer to our customers enables shorter lead times, more consistent service and strengthened aftermarket support,” Kraujalis added.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The acquisition will not affect FLSmidth’s financial guidance for the full year 2025.

FLS continues to support the global mining sector as a leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM), offering integrated engineering, equipment, and service solutions. Its in-depth knowledge of milling processes ensures customers receive tailored support across the entire milling circuit.

Perenti wins Mana gold mining contract

Flag_on_Africa's_map_pointing_Burkina_Faso

Perenti and JV partner secure five-year underground mining deal with Endeavour Mining in Burkina Faso

Perenti, through its joint venture subsidiary Underground Mining Services Burkina Faso SARL, has secured a new five-year underground mining contract valued at A$1.1 billion (approx. US$730mn)

The contract covers expanded operations at the Siou and Wona deposits within the Mana gold mining complex, operated by SEMAFO Burkina Faso S.A., a subsidiary of Endeavour Mining plc.

Located in Burkina Faso’s highly prospective Houndé Greenstone Belt, the Mana complex includes high-grade underground operations that have been supported by African Underground Mining Services Burkina Faso SARL (AUMS) since 2018. The latest contract marks a significant expansion of Perenti’s existing scope and will be executed through Underground Mining Services (UMS), a joint venture between Perenti and local partner Dynamic Mining Supply SARL.

Under the new agreement, Perenti will provide a full suite of underground development, production, and mining support services. Operations are scheduled to commence on 1 June 2025, with capital requirements for FY25 already factored into Perenti’s guidance.

Commenting on the development, Perenti managing director and CEO, Mark Norwell, highlighted, “We are pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with Endeavour through this contract. It aligns with our strategic goals for FY25 and sets a solid foundation for growth into FY26 and beyond.”

Gabrielle Iwanow, president of contract mining at Perenti, added, “This contract underscores the strength of our partnership with Endeavour and reflects the value we continue to deliver. Working alongside our Burkinabe JV partner, Dynamic Mining Supply, we are committed to supporting local procurement, skills development, and job creation in Burkina Faso.”

AFC supports Mota-Engil Africa’s mining projects

AFC funds Mota-Engil Africa’s gold mining expansion in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali. (Image source: Africa Finance Corporation)

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a leading provider of infrastructure solutions across the continent, has extended a €100 million (approx. US$113mn) five-year facility to Mota-Engil Africa (MEA), the regional subsidiary of the global construction powerhouse Mota-Engil Group

This facility will be used to acquire equipment, inventories, and develop site infrastructure for three new gold mining projects in Côte d’Ivoire and Mali.

The funding positions MEA to expand its operations in West Africa’s fast-growing gold sector – a vital contributor to local employment, foreign exchange inflows, and export revenue. The new contracts are expected to significantly enhance the mining landscape in both countries, which remain rich in untapped mineral reserves.

This deal marks a continuation of AFC’s long-standing partnership with Mota-Engil Africa, established in 2016. AFC has previously advised on several key infrastructure projects involving MEA, including Rwanda’s Bugesera International Airport, the US$2bn Kano-Maradi rail line in Nigeria, and Angola’s 1,289 km Lobito Corridor project, where AFC serves as financial adviser to the Lobito Atlantic Railway consortium of MEA, Trafigura, and Vecturis SA.

"This transaction underscores the strength of our decade-long relationship with Mota-Engil Africa and our shared vision to deliver sustainable economic transformation across Africa, commented Samaila Zubairu, president & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation. "Gold continues to be a vital economic driver for many African nations, and through this investment, AFC is helping to unlock long-term value—supporting export earnings, job creation, and broader industrial development of the region."

Manuel Mota, chairman of Mota-Engil Africa, stated, "Today marks a significant milestone for Mota-Engil Africa. We are proud to announce the successful closing of financing for three new mining projects, in partnership with Africa Finance Corporation. This achievement reflects not only the strength of our project portfolio but also the confidence that premier institutions like AFC place in our strategy, our capabilities, and our people."

The investment is part of AFC’s broader effort to grow its involvement in contractor financing – addressing both public and private infrastructure demands. This includes support for Angola’s 186 Metallic Bridges project by Conduril Engenharia S.A., where AFC serves as commercial financier. AFC remains committed to working closely with contractors to bridge Africa’s infrastructure gap while advancing industrialisation, sustainable development, and economic resilience continent-wide.

Komatsu debuts autonomous trolley-powered mining truck

Komatsu debuts autonomous electric truck using dynamic trolley power. (Image source: Komatsu)

Komatsu has reached a milestone in autonomous mining, becoming the first in the industry to successfully operate a power agnostic electric drive haul truck while autonomously connected to a dynamic trolley line

The trolley assist system, developed to lower carbon emissions and extend engine life, supplies electric power to trucks while they ascend uphill. This targeted delivery of energy increases efficiency and enables faster travel compared to conventional diesel trucks. By combining this system with Komatsu’s FrontRunner Autonomous Haulage System, the company unlocks new levels of fuel efficiency and productivity for mining operations.

This marks the first time in mining history that power has been transferred to a moving, driverless haul truck using a trolley system—underscoring Komatsu’s strategy to merge electrification with automation to support cleaner, more efficient mining.

“This milestone demonstrates the strength of our commitment to improving our integrated technology strategy, combining autonomous haulage with dynamic energy transfer and trolley capabilities,” said Martin Cavassa, director, global business development autonomous systems, Komatsu. “The ability to seamlessly transfer power to a moving truck operating without a driver is a pivotal achievement in our roadmap toward decarbonising mining operations and provides the pathway for managing battery operated trucks autonomously.”

Komatsu’s FrontRunner system, launched in 2008, was the world’s first commercial autonomous haulage application. Today, over 875 autonomous trucks operate globally under the FrontRunner system, having moved more than 10 billion metric tons of material to date. The platform is designed for ultra-class vehicles such as the 980E, which has a payload capacity of 363 metric tons.

This advancement reaffirms Komatsu’s commitment to offering integrated solutions that help customers meet productivity goals, lower ownership costs, and responsibly meet the rising global demand for minerals.