Mining

Trafigura secures Ghana gold offtake and restart financing

Trafigura signs gold offtake deal with Heath Goldfields and provides US$65mn financing for Bogoso–Prestea restart.

Trafigura Group Pte Ltd has entered into an offtake agreement with Heath Goldfields Ltd. for the purchase of 700,000 ounces of gold doré from the Bogoso–Prestea Gold Mine in the Western Region of Ghana

In parallel, Trafigura will provide US$65mn in debt financing to support the restart of oxide ore operations at the site.

Under the agreement, Trafigura will act as the offtaker for gold doré produced at the Bogoso–Prestea processing facility, with deliveries expected to begin later this year.

The Bogoso–Prestea Gold Mine is among West Africa’s most established gold operations, with cumulative production exceeding 9 million ounces since 1912. Heath Goldfields resumed activity at the site with its first gold pour in February 2026, marking the restart of operations after a two-year pause. The mine includes a 1.5 million tonnes per annum carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing plant and meets SK-1300 reporting standards set by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

This agreement represents Trafigura’s first gold transaction in Ghana and its second across Africa, following a debt financing deal in December 2025 supporting Sierra Leone’s first commercial-scale gold mine. The move reflects the company’s ongoing expansion in the precious metals segment, leveraging its established capabilities in physical trading, logistics, and global market access.

Gonzalo De Olazaval, head of metals and minerals, Trafigura Group, said, “We are pleased to sign this offtake agreement with Heath Goldfields. This is Trafigura’s second gold transaction on the African continent and our first in Ghana’s gold sector, a market where we have long-standing commercial relationships across other commodities.”

“Trafigura has been active across metals and minerals markets in Africa for over two decades, and the continent remains a cornerstone as we continue to expand our precious metals business. Bogoso–Prestea is a producing asset with a strong operational team and LBMA compliance, and we look forward to applying our physical trading expertise and market access in support of a Ghanaian-owned operation of this quality.”

Mini substations engineered for underground mining demands

Custom-engineered mini substations designed by Trafo Power Solutions to meet strict size constraints for underground mining applications in Zambia. (Image source: Trafo Power Solutions)

Recent orders for seventeen custom-engineered mini substations for an underground copper mine in Zambia highlight Trafo Power Solutions’ capability to deliver tailored electrical systems for complex mining environments

David Claassen, managing director of Trafo Power Solutions, confirmed that the order includes units rated at 800 kVA and 1,000 kVA. The project required precise engineering to meet strict spatial constraints and operational requirements, ensuring the substations could be transported, installed, and operated efficiently in confined underground conditions.

Each mini substation integrates medium- and low-voltage switchgear along with a transformer, forming a critical component in distributing power to underground mining equipment and infrastructure.

“The first important consideration was the size of the shaft cage used to transport equipment and material underground,” commented Claassen. “We understood what the limitations were and carefully designed a solution that would allow easy loading and transportation in the cage to the levels where the units would be deployed.”

Reducing the physical size of the substations introduced additional technical challenges, particularly around transformer cooling. Maintaining sufficient airflow within compact designs was essential to ensure reliable performance under operating conditions.

“Trafo Power Solutions has many years of experience in technical design, ensuring the optimal performance of enclosed dry-type transformers under a wide range of environmental conditions,” he said. “We were therefore careful to understand exactly what the ambient conditions would be and then to ensure that the flow of air would match the requirements of the transformers’ particular specifications.”

The design process also accounted for managing transformer losses in terms of heat and energy, ensuring effective dissipation under planned operating conditions. From a safety perspective, dry-type transformers are widely preferred in underground mining applications due to the absence of flammable liquids such as oil.

Claassen added that mobility is another important factor, as equipment often needs to be relocated as mining operations progress. The compact design allows the substations to be easily transported on rail systems within the mine.

“The dry-type transformer offers a very robust option for these demanding applications,” remarked Claassen. “There is no risk of oil leakage as a result of damage, for instance.”

All units were manufactured in South Africa within a tight production schedule, with factory acceptance testing completed successfully prior to delivery. Ongoing support will be provided through Trafo Power Solutions’ local partner in Zambia, ensuring continued reliability and aftersales service.

“Our local partner in Zambia plays a vital role in supporting our customers there,” Claassen commented. “We work closely together in projects like this one, both from a supply and aftersales support perspective.”

Cementation Africa advances Mindola shaft at Mopani Copper Mines

Structural steel components of the ore loading bin prepared for assembly on site. (Image source: Cementation Africa)

Cementation Africa is drawing on its extensive expertise in shaft sinking and underground mining to advance work at the Mindola shaft, part of Mopani Copper Mines in Kitwe

The project is set to support the long-term sustainability of the Nkana mine while enhancing overall operational efficiency.

The project scope includes the construction and installation of a permanent headgear, followed by the rope-up and commissioning of winders. These steps will enable detailed 3D scanning of the shaft, helping to identify alignment deviations and determine the structural reinforcement required to ensure safe and efficient hoisting operations. The work programme also covers the installation and commissioning of an overland conveyor system.

According to Ben Adendorff, Cementation Africa’s in-country executive for Zambia, the immediate priority is preparing the Mindola shaft for production by sliping and equipping the remaining 500 metres.

“To determine the exact degree of misalignment, Cementation Africa will complete a 3D scan of the complete shaft,” remarked Adendorff. While another contractor raisebored this particular shaft, Cementation Africa successfully completed the sinking and equipping of Mopani’s Synclinorium and Mufulira Henderson shafts over a decade ago. The 1,280 m Synclinorium shaft, with a 7 m diameter, was sunk between 2011 and 2014 before being equipped for commissioning and handover in 2016. Meanwhile, the 1,580 m Mufulira Henderson shaft, with a 6 m diameter, was commissioned in June 2020.

“Our current work at Mindola includes the removal of the sinking headgear and winders, and the installation of a new permanent headgear, after which we can rope-up and commission the new winders,” he explained. “This will allow us to scan the shaft from top to bottom with specialised equipment, including the length of shaft already equipped above a depth of approximately 1,000 m.”

This process will verify the accuracy of existing steel guide structures that direct conveyances within the shaft and allow for the correction of any identified issues. Below the 1,000 m level, the remaining 500 m of the shaft will be sliped and lined to maintain a precise vertical alignment for safe conveyance movement.

“We will the proceed with the equipping of the shaft and construction of the loading box steelwork at the shaft bottom,” he says.

Cementation Africa’s track record across complex shaft-sinking projects in southern Africa continues to reinforce its standing in the region. As noted by Hercilus Harmse, engineering services executive at Cementation Africa, the company has delivered major projects including the 1,200 m shaft at Palabora Mining Company, which reached final depth in 2024, and the 2,750 m ventilation shaft at South Deep mine.

“Many of our projects are conducted in environments where there are poor ground conditions or where extensive de-stressing of rock is required,” Harmse said. “We bring this experience into our designs and execution ensuring that we can apply innovative solutions - using our fleet of specialised equipment for rigging, winding and shaft sinking.”

Safety remains central to the company’s operations, as highlighted by new business director Graham Chamberlain. Over the past 12 years, Cementation Africa has recorded more than eight million fatality-free shaft-sinking hours.

“This is the result of consciously building a safety culture on every site and prioritising safety in all our planning and design work, using industry experience to learn from every incident,” commented Chamberlain. “Particularly with equipment that is critical to safe operations, we develop and apply duplicate systems so there is always a backup. With winders, for instance, we ensure that an electronic system will be duplicated by a mechanical system in case of failure.”

Adendorff adds that beyond its technical expertise, the company has made a lasting social impact through its long-standing presence in Zambia. Initiatives include the construction of a school for the deaf in 2016, now supporting more than 100 children, as well as an orphanage feeding programme.

“Our history in Zambia has also made us an employer of choice, as everyone knows our value system and the respect with which we treat our employees,” he concluded.

Epiroc to send electric drill rigs to Africa

Eprioc's Pit Viper 275 E drilling rig. (Image source: Epiroc)

Epiroc of Sweden has secured a large order for autonomous and electric mining equipment in Africa

The undisclosed customer has ordered a fleet of Pit Viper 275 E blasthole drill rigs, with a value of around SEK 380mn (US$40mn), the company reported in a statement.

Eprioc, which describes itself as a leading productivity and sustainability partner for the mining and infrastructure industries, did not identify the customer or where the rigs would be deployed in Africa, but the sale highlights a growing interest in autonomous equipment across the mining industry and related sectors.

In its statement, the company noted that the machines are cable electric and will be operated fully autonomously, boosting safety and productivity while having zero exhaust emissions.

“Epiroc is on the forefront of mining automation and electrification,” said Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s president and CEO.

“This major order is another significant step forward in our journey to support customers to operate in the safest, most productive and most climate-friendly manner possible.”

The top-modern Pit Viper 275 E rig is the cable-electric version of the blasthole drill rig that has become a staple in the mining industry.

Its robust design and innovative features have made it a go-to solution for rotary blasthole drilling operations around the world.

Delivery of the equipment will begin shortly and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

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Weir secures HPGR supply deal for Platreef expansion

Weir has been selected to supply its ENDURON high pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) to Ivanhoe Mines’ Platreef Mine. (Image source: Weir)

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.’

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