Mining

Sandvik CH662 Crushers enter Africa’s platinum mining sector. (Image source: Sandvik)

Sandvik Rock Processing is supplying the first Sandvik CH662 cone crushers to a platinum mining project in South Africa’s Limpopo province, highlighting the increasing adoption of advanced mining technologies across Africa

The delivery reflects growing demand for modern crushing solutions as mining operations across the continent increasingly invest in electrification, automation, and remote monitoring technologies. The Sandvik CH662 represents an upgraded version of the established CH660 platform, featuring mechanical and digital enhancements designed to improve productivity, reliability, and maintenance performance.

PC Kruger, business line manager Crushing at Sandvik Rock Processing, said the milestone order demonstrates changing attitudes towards technology adoption in African mining.

“This is creating an environment where advanced crushing systems such as the CH662 are becoming more attractive,” commented Kruger. “This milestone order challenges longstanding perceptions that African mining operations are slow to adopt new technologies.”

The two Sandvik CH662 crushers will be installed in a secondary crushing application as part of an underground mining expansion project. Factory acceptance testing was completed in Sweden during the second quarter of 2026 before the equipment was transported to South Africa.

The order was placed through a major engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, with one crusher assigned as the primary operating unit and the second serving as a standby machine. The configuration highlights the importance of dependable crushing equipment in modern mineral processing operations.

Yashik Anand, Capital Sales Engineer for Sandvik Rock Processing’s static crushing business, said the project reflects the increasing focus among customers on efficiency, reliability, and digital capabilities when selecting crushing equipment.

The CH662 incorporates a redesigned top shell and main shaft, which improve durability and operational stability. The upgraded top shell enhances material distribution and structural strength, while the new main shaft improves reliability during high-capacity operations.

“The upgraded top shell provides improved material distribution and greater structural strength, while the new main shaft enhances reliability under high-capacity conditions,” stated Kruger. “The spider bushing has also been re-engineered to improve wear resistance and extend service life.”

Another key improvement is the removal of backing compound requirements during liner replacement. Traditional cone crusher liners often require curing time before equipment can return to operation, while the CH662’s steel-to-steel design eliminates this delay.

“By removing the backing compound from the design, we can save customers up to 24 hours of waiting time during liner replacement procedures,” he said.

Digital capabilities improve performance

Automation and digital integration are central features of the Sandvik CH662 upgrade. The crusher includes Sandvik’s ACS-c 5 ASRi control system, which combines previous crusher control functions into a more advanced automation platform.

The system enables automated setting adjustment, improved monitoring, and integration with digital services platforms for real-time performance analysis and remote diagnostics.

“Especially for mining operations that are located far from major service centres, these capabilities can deliver substantial operational advantages,” Anand says. “Proactive monitoring of the crusher allows operators to identify issues earlier and prevent unplanned stoppages.”

Kruger added that remote monitoring also improves the efficiency of Sandvik Rock Processing’s field service teams, particularly when supporting customers located far from service centres.

“We can remotely support the machine and start fault-finding immediately when there is an issue,” he explains. “By the time a technician reaches site, we already have a good understanding of what needs to be repaired or replaced.”

The project also highlights the importance of collaboration between original equipment manufacturers and EPC contractors during plant design and equipment selection. Sandvik’s PlantDesigner simulation software was used to conduct process simulations and flowsheet evaluations to optimise the crushing circuit according to the customer’s metallurgical requirements.

Looking ahead, Kruger expects the Sandvik CH662 to gain wider adoption across Africa’s mining and aggregates industries, particularly within mid-range processing operations.

“Mining operations in Africa generally do not require the ultra-large crushing systems that are more common in regions like South America,” he notes. “The CH662 fits well into the African market’s production range of 400 to 1000 t/h.”

Sandvik’s upgrade strategy includes retrofit solutions, rebuild options, and fully integrated smart crusher offerings, all supported by the company’s three-year standard warranty.

Secure on-site power will be critical to DRC mining growth (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Ivanhoe Energy is advancing its on-site power projects for the Kipushi and Kamoa-Kakula mine sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Kipushi is set to become the world’s fourth-largest zinc producer in 2026, the Canadian mining group said in a 4 June statement.

It achieved a monthly production record of 25,677 tonnes of zinc in concentrate during May.

Year-to-date zinc production totals approximately 110,000 tonnes of zinc, it added.

Annualised, this is equivalent to around the mid-point of the company’s 2026 production guidance range of 240,000 to 290,000 tonnes.

Kipushi is now tendering for a dedicated solar project with up to 200 megawatt hours (MWh) of battery energy storage (BESS).

The facility would provide 10MW of baseload power, reducing reliance on the backup diesel generators that are used intermittently.

The facility is to be located on a 70-hectare site near the mine, and it is expected to be operational by the end of 2027.

Construction of Kipushi’s second tailings storage facility expansion is now nearing completion as the mine site expands.

Separately, Ivanhoe Energy recently posted an update on its other major DRC energy project to expand the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex.

Construction of Kamoa-Kakula’s on-site solar (PV) facility, with battery storage, is advancing on schedule, the company reported on 6 May.

The two facilities are expected to be operational, delivering a total baseload of 60MW to the site, from early Q3 2026.

The solar facility is already the largest solar project with battery storage on the African continent.

Kamoa-Kakula is further planning to increase the total on-site solar power generation capacity, with battery storage, to 120MW by the end of 2027.

A tender was awarded, and a power purchase agreement (PPA) was signed in late April for an initial 30MW expansion of the existing on-site solar facilities.

A further 30MW facility is being tendered and is expected to be awarded imminently.

Preparations have also been made across the group to secure on-site diesel supplies in the event of continued global supply chain disruptions.

This includes Kamoa-Kakula securing five months’ worth of diesel supply.

The company reported that its use of backup diesel generators is to be curtailed to rationalise diesel consumption, amid higher fuel prices and supply chain challenges.

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Condra’s managing director, Marc Kleiner (Image source: Condra)

Crane and hoist manufacturer Condra has expanded its maintenance programme to include hands-on training for customers’ own service personnel

The company is also to introduce remote diagnostics for on-screen assistance at isolated sites, rolling out these improvements at installations in Saudi Arabia and in all African countries where Condra has a presence.

Over time, the diagnostics will combine with remote specialist oversight to aid repairs by the customer’s own technicians.

Electricians at Condra’s factories already add diagnostic chips to frequency drives during crane manufacture — the plan is to extend this capability to other crane components, delivering on-screen assistance to any site with an internet signal.

Until now, Condra’s maintenance programme has incorporated only selected agents and technical teams from its own factories.

In future, where customers have their own maintenance crews, it will be these personnel who will execute this type of work, helped either by visiting teams, or remotely by specialists at Condra’s technical centre in Johannesburg.

On-demand emergency repairs will continue to be managed by Condra technicians sent to site.

Marc Kleiner, Condra’s managing director, said the goal is to lower the customer’s service costs and to further improve machine uptime and productivity.

“We want to expand the capabilities of our customers’ maintenance personnel, who sometimes have difficulty repairing to OEM standard,” he said.

“We will work with them to identify the wrinkles, then let them get on with fixing those while our own people identify potential wear and take steps to correct it.”

Kleiner said that Condra teams would execute repairs only after quoting. Once accepted, support staff at Condra’s head office would then assemble spare parts and arrange all export documentation for shipping. Spares lists would normally include parts needed for the long term, based on predictions of likely wear.

“The idea is that a Condra team will oversee the mine’s own service personnel wherever possible, helping them carry out the repair themselves,” Kleiner said. “This will allow hands-on training under specialist direction.

“What we’re trying to overcome is the too-common practice of working a machine until it fails, then buying a new one, something often seen in mining applications.

“What we’re saying is this: If you buy the correct machine in the first place and look after it by carrying out scheduled maintenance, the life expectancy of your machine will increase along with your financial return. But if you wait until that machine breaks down, production will have to stop while you wait for the spares to arrive. This is not clever. With a little bit of support from our side, your machine will run more reliably and for much longer, and production can continue uninterrupted.”

Outlining the improved schedule, Kleiner said Condra will re-visit Ivory Coast and Angola during July and August, followed by Zambia and Namibia. After that will come Sierra Leone. Other countries appearing on the schedule include Liberia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, DRC, Mauritania, Ghana, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Senegal.

Twelve service teams will carry out these visits (up from two teams five years ago), each one comprising either an electrical specialist accompanied by mechanical assistant, or vice versa.

Expanding on Condra’s plans for remote diagnostics, Kleiner said the company would work in conjunction with specialists in England and Australia to allow customers to receive prompt assistance in most of the world’s time zones, combining a phone call with on-screen visuals presented to the customer’s technicians at the installation site.

“We want to develop a library of repair videos to complement this diagnostic service,” he said.

“The idea is that, long term, Condra teams will be present for critical support only. We will achieve this through proactive maintenance schedules supported by remote fault diagnosis, and complemented by instructional repair videos.”

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Navigating mining decarbonisation (Image source: Adobe Stock)

As global scrutiny intensifies, mining companies are faced with a seemingly insurmountable task; ensuring their environmental, social and governance (ESG) pledges translate into measurable and sustainable impact

The above is also echoed by the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) which emphasises: “ESG is not only a responsible approach to business but a strategic imperative for long-term success.”

Cecil Maartens, account manager, MMM Segment for SSA at Schneider Electric, notes this urgency is being driven by a convergence of forces: “Mining companies are facing simultaneous pressure from investors, regulators and customers to reduce carbon emissions while improving operational resilience.

“Scope 1 & 2 emissions, direct from the source we own and indirect from energy we buy are increasingly tied to financing, permitting and even market access,” he says.

This move is fundamentally reshaping how mining organisations operate. Decarbonisation is strategic, evolving beyond its former compliance tick-box status. “Companies that can demonstrate lower emissions and stronger sustainability credentials are the ones that will attract capital and partnerships,” says Maartens.

The real differentiator lies in execution and, encouragingly, many mining houses are moving beyond ambition, actively embedding decarbonisation into their operational strategies.

Maartens cites examples within the sector where dedicated sustainability teams are aligning decarbonisation roadmaps with enterprise asset management and operational KPIs. “ESG roadmaps are now integrated into core business performance metrics, with accountability at senior levels.”

A similar transition is also underway in energy-intensive industries such as steel and other materials processing.

Sibongile Thobakgale, KAM Strategic, MMM for SSA at Schneider Electric highlights that sectors like steel, cement and glass are experiencing comparable pressures. “These industries are among the most carbon-intensive globally, and decarbonisation is being driven by regulatory requirements, market expectations and rapid technological advancements,” she says.

Technology enables low-carbon mining

Across mining and heavy industry, technology is playing a central role in enabling low-carbon operations.

However, as the adage goes “start at the very beginning, a very good place to start”, it is also important to understand the current state of operation. Here, Maartens reckons, digital maturity assessments and energy baselining allow organisations to identify inefficiencies and prioritise interventions.

From there, integrated platforms can bring together energy management, automation and real-time operational data to drive continuous improvement.

“Digitalisation is critical as it enables mining companies to model energy consumption, simulate different electrification scenarios and quantify the impact of renewable integration before making large-scale investment,” says Maartens.

On the ground, this translates into a range of practical interventions. Hybrid microgrids, supported by battery energy storage systems, are helping mines integrate renewable energy while maintaining reliability.

Also, electrification initiatives and more energy-efficient equipment, such as advanced variable speed drives (low harmonic-enabled VSDs), are also contributing to reduced consumption.

At the same time, asset lifecycle management engagement processes and approaches, intelligent IB (Installed Base) audits and assessments and understanding asset and reliability management including retrofits and eco-fits are extending asset lifecycle while lowering environmental impact.

Thobakgale adds that in broader industrial contexts, automation is also evolving to support decarbonisation. “Software-defined automation is improving process efficiency and reliability, particularly in energy-intensive operations. This is essential forvmaintaining productivity while reducing emissions,’’ she notes.

The growing role of advisory services

While technology is a critical enabler, both Maartens and Thobakgale emphasise that successful decarbonisation requires a structured, strategic approach, an area where advisory services are becoming increasingly important.

“Sustainability assessments and services like Schneider Electric SE Electrification Advisory Services help companies quantify their emissions, benchmark performance and identify the most effective pathways forward,” says Thobakgale. “It also plays an important role in unlocking capital and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.”

These services go beyond one-off evaluations. Instead, they form part of an ongoing process of monitoring, optimisation and alignment with long-term ESG goals. “Decarbonisation is not a once-off project. It’s a journey that requires ongoing measurement, adaptation and improvement across the entire value chain creating and ensuring long-term strategic partnership” adds Maartens.

Looking ahead, ESG considerations are set to play an even more decisive role in shaping the future of mining. Both Maartens and Thobakgale agree that sustainability will increasingly influence investment decisions, operational strategies and industry dynamics.

“Capital will flow towards companies that can demonstrate credible decarbonisation pathways,” says Thobakgale. “Those that delay ESG integration risk losing competitiveness and access to funding.”

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