Mining

Atlas Copco launches portable emergency trash pumps

Atlas Copco launches portable emergency trash pumps. (Image source: Atlas Copco)

Atlas Copco has introduced a new range of Emergency Trash Pumps (ETP), expanding its existing dewatering portfolio with a durable and portable solution designed for rapid and dependable water removal in demanding environments

Developed for construction, mining, quarrying and other industrial dewatering operations, the new range includes dedicated models designed to manage both clean water and water containing high levels of solid debris.

Powered by petrol engines, the Emergency Trash Pumps are built to provide reliable performance in challenging conditions where water may contain sediments, organic materials, sand and stones. Such environments can lead conventional pumps to clog or experience reduced performance. Compact, lightweight and easy to transport, the ETP range enables contractors and site operators to quickly respond to water management challenges where minimising downtime is essential.

Typical applications for the pumps include stormwater management, stream diversion, system cleaning and settlement removal.

“Industrial operations like construction and mining often face unexpected flooding or water accumulation containing abrasive solids and debris,” said Niccolo Tivelli, product application manager, Atlas Copco.

“Our new Emergency Trash Pumps give customers a reliable, easy-to-transport solution for handling clean and dirty water applications while maintaining high performance and serviceability.”

The Emergency Trash Pumps portfolio consists of seven models, allowing users to select equipment suited to specific operational requirements. The ETP clean water models are designed for applications such as water transfer, tank filling and system cleaning. They provide flow rates of up to 1,600 l/min (432 USgpm), maximum heads of up to 60 m (197 ft), and maximum suction rates of 7 m (22.9 ft). These units can handle solid particles up to 8 mm (0.32 in) in diameter and feature durable yet lightweight aluminium components for easier handling and deployment.

For more demanding dewatering tasks involving contaminated or debris-filled water, the ETP wastewater models are designed to manage solids up to 29 mm (1.1 in) in diameter. Equipped with robust cast iron frames and impellers, these pumps are engineered to operate in harsh environments while maintaining stability in floodwater conditions. They offer flow rates of up to 1,300 l/min (343 USgpm), maximum heads of up to 30 m (98 ft), and the same maximum suction capability as the clean water models.

During the development of the ETP range, Atlas Copco focused on improving portability, operational simplicity and ease of maintenance. The pumps incorporate practical lifting handles and quick deployment features to help minimise interruptions and maintain project efficiency. Their open-frame design allows easy access to key components, supporting faster servicing and maintenance.

Safety and durability have also been prioritised, with integrated features such as exhaust protection and stable frame structures supporting reliable operation in demanding worksite conditions. The use of strong materials across wear components and seals further enhances durability and extends service life.

The Emergency Trash Pump range forms part of Atlas Copco’s wider equipment portfolio, which includes dewatering pumps, generators, energy storage systems and light towers designed to support industrial and construction activities worldwide.

BCM secures landmark Ethiopia gold mining contract

BCM Group wins US$400m Tulu Kapi contract, supporting Ethiopia’s major gold project with comprehensive mining services

BCM Group has been awarded the flagship mining services contract for the Tulu Kapi Gold Project in Ethiopia, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s leading mining contractors

The long-term agreement, valued at more than US$400mn over the project’s initial nine-year mine life, was awarded by KEFI Gold and Copper through its Ethiopian subsidiary, Tulu Kapi Gold Mines Share Company (TKGM).

Under the agreement, BCM will deliver a comprehensive suite of mining services, including the supply, operation and maintenance of the mining fleet, recruitment, training and management of local employees, and execution of full-scale mining operations under TKGM’s supervision. The contract also includes the procurement and deployment of a new Caterpillar mining fleet to support project development and future production targets.

BCM group CEO Paul Coe said, “We are delighted to have been selected as the mining services contractor for the Tulu Kapi Gold Project. This award reflects BCM’s proven track record of successfully developing and operating mines across Africa and the Middle East, often in emerging jurisdictions where strong partnerships, local workforce development and operational excellence are critical to success.

“Tulu Kapi is a landmark project for Ethiopia’s mining industry, and we look forward to working closely with KEFI, TKGM, the Ethiopian Government and local communities to help deliver a safe, efficient and sustainable mining operation.”

With over 30 years of experience in delivering mining projects across Africa and the Middle East, BCM brings extensive expertise in mine development, fleet management and contract mining services. The Tulu Kapi project marks BCM’s entry into East Africa and highlights its ability to support major mining developments across the continent.

Tulu Kapi contains probable ore reserves of approximately 1.05 million ounces of gold and total mineral resources of 1.72 million ounces. Developed in partnership with the Ethiopian Government, the project is expected to contribute significantly to Ethiopia’s export earnings, job creation and economic growth.

The contract award further strengthens BCM’s reputation as a trusted partner for large-scale mining projects and reflects its ongoing commitment to its mission of Bringing Mines to Life across Africa and beyond.

Liebherr TA 230 arrives in Namibia

WR receives Namibia’s first Liebherr TA 230. (Image source: Liebherr)

In a significant achievement, Namibian plant hire and earthmoving equipment company Windhoek Renovations Plant Hire (WR) has received Namibia’s first-ever Liebherr TA 230 articulated dump truck (ADT)

The unit was handed over on 8 April 2026, marking WR’s strategic move towards expanding its Liebherr ADT fleet offering.

Alex Wirtz, technical service and sales manager at Windhoek Renovations Plant Hire, and Tendayi Kudumba, Earthmoving general manager at Liebherr-Africa, were present during the handover of the TA 230.

A long-standing supporter of Liebherr equipment, WR already operates a fleet of around 30 Liebherr machines. The company has now strengthened its fleet with the 28-tonne payload TA 230 articulated hauler, alongside a 21-tonne Liebherr R 920 Litronic crawler excavator.

These new additions complement WR’s extensive Liebherr fleet, which includes excavators such as the A 904 C, A 924 C, R 920, R 926 C, R 934 B, R 954 C, R 974 B and R 984 C, wheel loaders including the L 550 and L 580, as well as crawler dozers PR 744 and PR 764. The expanded fleet reflects WR’s continued confidence in Liebherr and its long-standing partnership with Liebherr-Africa.

Established in 1985, WR is a family-owned Namibian company that has grown into a recognised player in the earthmoving and plant hire sector. Operating nationwide, the company manages a fleet of 70 machines and serves industries including mining, contracting, road maintenance, demolition and hard rock excavation. Led by founder Robert Wirtz and his son Alex Wirtz, WR combines decades of experience with a modern approach to plant hire solutions.

Living up to expectations

Following delivery, the Liebherr TA 230 has been deployed at a gold mine near Karibib, where it is being used to transport fill material for the construction of a slimes dam. According to Alex Wirtz, the machine has already demonstrated the performance expected from it.

“WR Plant Hire is proud to already have this machine operating on site, where it has certainly lived up to expectations. The performance, reliability and production output delivered so far have been nothing short of impressive,” he says. “Investing in world-class equipment like the TA 230 is part of our ongoing commitment to offering our clients the highest standards in earthmoving and mining operations across Namibia,” added Wirtz.

Why Liebherr?

Although WR already operates more than 30 Liebherr machines, Wirtz explains that adding the TA 230 was a natural step aligned with the company’s long-term strategy of investing in high-quality, high-performance equipment. The new articulated dump truck further enhances WR’s diverse fleet and supports its focus on delivering advanced solutions to customers.

“The introduction of the new-generation ADT allows us to offer enhanced efficiency, reliability, and performance on site, while giving our clients the opportunity to experience and benchmark this machine against other leading brands in the market,” he said.

Support is a key factor

Beyond the quality and performance of Liebherr equipment in demanding Namibian conditions, Wirtz highlights Liebherr-Africa’s aftermarket support as a key reason behind WR’s continued partnership with the brand.

“The Liebherr Africa team has consistently provided excellent support over the past 30 years. From sales to technical assistance, the level of service we receive makes a real difference. When you operate a fleet of this size, reliability and support are critical – and Liebherr delivers on both,” commented Wirtz.

Concluding, Tendayi Kudumba, General Manager of Earthmoving at Liebherr-Africa, emphasises the importance of aftermarket services in ensuring equipment performance and customer success.

“Aftermarket support is critical in plant hire and earthmoving because it directly impacts machine uptime, safety, operational efficiency and long-term asset value.”

“In industries such as mining and plant hire, equipment downtime is out of the question, and OEM support – including genuine parts stockholding and technical support – is key to ensuring that machines operate at peak performance, even under extreme conditions, allowing our clients such as WR to run profitable operations,” concludes Kudumba.

Sandvik introduces smarter crushing technology in Africa

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.

On-site power pivotal to Ivanhoe’s DRC ambitions

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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