Customers can select their preferred base and coupling configuration, ensuring each SEW-EURODRIVE power pack is precisely matched to the application’s performance and reliability requirements. (Image source: SEW EURODRIVE)

Comprehensively supporting the mining sector with commodity-specific drive train solutions, SEW-EURODRIVE has cemented its reputation as a trusted partner to the industry - a testament to its customer-centric approach, says National Sales and Marketing Manager Jonathan McKey

“Twenty years ago, we secured our first major power pack contract for a platinum mine in Limpopo,” McKey recalls. “That project marked the beginning of our deep involvement in mining and today our gearboxes, motors and coupling combinations are operating in almost every mining environment across the continent.”

From platinum and gold to coal, copper and beyond, SEW‑EURODRIVE’s engineered drive train solutions have become integral to mission-critical applications, underscoring the company’s strong track record and ongoing commitment to the mining sector.

“As in every industry we serve, the success of our power packs lies in a systematic responsible approach that begins with a clear understanding of what the customer really needs,” McKey explains. “We don’t just develop application-specific solutions  - we take it a step further by building a sustainable cost effective supply chain and long term support ecosystem to back those solutions well into the future.”

McKey notes that SEW‑EURODRIVE takes a deliberate and strategic approach when entering new sectors, ensuring that each move is carefully planned, focused and sustainable. “We prioritise focus,” he says. “It is about understanding the landscape before we enter - not just from a technical standpoint, but also from a long term support and capacity perspective.”

With mining, the company’s journey began in the platinum sector, where SEW‑EURODRIVE developed gearbox solutions specifically engineered for the prevailing conditions on site.

“It was vital to understand the gear ratios, power requirements and velocities commonly used in platinum operations,” explains McKey. “That insight allowed us to rapidly grow our footprint in that segment expanding into neighbouring operations and quickly growing our customer base. From there, we moved into chrome mining.”

As SEW‑EURODRIVE expanded into new mineral commodities, it applied the same principle - understand the application first, then develop fit-for-purpose drive train systems. In chrome, this meant developing a new  stocking standardised gear ratios and power ratings for its power packs. When coal mining became the next target segment, the unique characteristics of that environment called for yet another redesign, this time with lighter material and faster conveyor speeds requiring adapted solutions.

“Today, we are arguably the dominant force in mining across Africa when it comes to industrial gearbox solutions,” says McKey. “That position wasn’t built overnight. It was the result of a highly informed, step-by-step expansion that has seen the company entering each commodity with a clear operational plan and investing heavily in building our local capacity to support it.”

That investment began with local assembly, first introduced at SEW‑EURODRIVE’s Nelspruit facility in 2006. Over time, this evolved into a significantly expanded local production and warehousing operation at the company’s head office in Aeroton, Johannesburg - where a Phase 2 expansion is now nearing completion.

Service and technical support have always been at the heart of SEW‑EURODRIVE’s value proposition, and the mining sector was no exception. “We knew early on that delivering quality products wasn’t enough - we had to match that with world class aftersales service,” McKey says. “That meant upskilling local service teams and embedding our global standards into everything we did on the ground.”

“Alongside our new designs, local assembly and upscaled stockholding, we brought in additional service staff and trained them extensively,” he continues. “We never enter a sector lightly. When we commit, we invest and this is to ensure every customer is fully supported across the entire lifecycle of their equipment.”

“Today, SEW‑EURODRIVE is not only a trusted partner for electro-mechanical drive solutions, but is also helping customers embrace smart mining with the introduction of automation and digital control technology,” McKey says.

“The traditional combination of motor, gearbox and fluid coupling for controlled start-up is evolving,” he notes. “Now, customers want flexible drive systems with precise speed control and the ability to adjust production rates on demand - and our technology is delivering that.”

In addition to its core gearmotor offering, SEW‑EURODRIVE also provides full open gearing solutions for mills and other critical applications. This includes girth gears, main mill motors and gearboxes, pinions and related components; all of which can be manufactured and delivered quickly, offering a reliable drop-in replacement for competitor systems.

Metso’s advanced Concorde Cell technology boosts flotation efficiency and concentrate-grade consistency at Lumwana project. (Image source: Metso)

Barrick Gold Corporation has chosen Metso’s Concorde Cell flotation technology for its Lumwana expansion project in Zambia’s North-Western Province

The Concorde Cell flotation cells will operate alongside the previously selected TankCell technology for the project.

Metso’s high-intensity Concorde Cell is an advanced solution for processing complex orebodies. Combining Concorde Cell with TankCell technology provides a reliable and efficient method to optimise the flowsheet. The forced-air pneumatic Concorde Cell is known for delivering faster flotation kinetics, excellent recovery of fine and ultra-fine particles, and enhanced consistency in concentrate grades.

In 2024, Metso announced an order for the supply of complete concentrator plant equipment for the Lumwana copper project. The value of the Concorde Cell equipment order was recorded in the Minerals segment’s third-quarter 2025 order intake.

HD Construction Equipment lands contract to supply 120 large excavators to Ethiopian gold mine. (Image source: Hyundai)

HD Construction Equipment, the unit managing HD Hyundai's construction equipment business, has started 2026 on a strong note, securing a significant order shortly after its launch, signaling progress toward achieving this year’s sales targets

On Wednesday, January 14, the company announced that it had finalized a contract to supply 120 large excavators to Ethiopian mining development companies. The order includes 70 units of 36-ton DEVELON excavators and 50 units of 34-ton HYUNDAI excavators, which will be deployed at a major Ethiopian gold mine.

HD Construction Equipment dominated the Ethiopian excavator market last year, capturing an 80% market share, cementing its position as the leading local provider through superior product competitiveness and customer service.

Sales of HD Construction Equipment’s 30-ton class mid- to large-sized excavators have doubled annually over the past three years. These machines are prized for their stability and durability in resource development environments across Ethiopia and other African regions, while also offering high maneuverability and fuel efficiency.

Looking ahead, HD Construction Equipment plans to strengthen customer support through local bases in Ghana and South Africa. The company aims to leverage the combined sales strength of HYUNDAI and DEVELON, which have established strong brand recognition in Africa, and to implement a cooperative system to meet rising equipment demand in major regional markets.

The company has also secured significant orders in Southeast Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), key emerging global markets. In Vietnam, HD Construction Equipment received an order for 71 units, including 20 units of 20-ton wheeled excavators for emergency disaster response and 51 units of 20–30 ton crawler excavators for national infrastructure projects.

In Kyrgyzstan, the company will supply 41 units, including 52-ton large excavators and 38-ton medium-large excavators to support transportation network expansion and real estate construction.

On January 14, HD Construction Equipment also released its 2026 performance forecast, presenting annual sales and operating profit targets during a conference with domestic and international institutional investors at the Korea Teachers’ Credit Union in Yeouido. The company targets KRW 8.7218 trillion (approx. US$5.92bn) in sales and KRW 439.6 billion (approx. US$298mn) in operating profit for the year.

CEO Moon Jae-young commented, "We aim to deliver performance results exceeding market growth by rapidly implementing our mid- to long-term strategy and leveraging integration synergies. We will also proactively engage in facility investment and R&D to establish core competitive advantages for our construction machinery operations."

Grindex submersible pumps gain traction across Zambia’s Copperbelt mines

Integrated Pump Technology is recording increased demand for its Grindex submersible dewatering pumps across Zambia’s Copperbelt, where the equipment is delivering reliable performance in some of the region’s most challenging mining environments

Designed for harsh underground environments, the pumps combine rugged construction, operational flexibility and strong local technical support to deliver consistent performance.

According to Alfred Kelsey, sales manager at Integrated Pump Technology, Grindex pumps have demonstrated notable success in specialist applications such as the cleaning of underground dams. One recent project, carried out through the company’s Kitwe based distributor IES, involved the deployment of a 14 kW Grindex Bravo 400 to address severe sludge build up that had compromised dam capacity.

“Our customer faced a serious challenge, with sediment accumulation drastically reducing the capacity of their underground dams,” Kelsey explained.

“Conventional dewatering pumps aren’t designed for handling this slurry density, but the submersible Grindex Bravo 400 proved ideal.”

Built with hard iron components for high abrasion resistance and fitted with an integrated agitator, the Bravo 400 is able to re suspend settled material, enabling efficient removal of dense sludge. The pump is also rated to IP68, allowing safe operation at depths of up to 20 metres.

Kelsey notes that interest in Grindex dewatering pumps is increasing rapidly across the Copperbelt as mines look for reliable long term solutions.

“The reliability and quality of Grindex pumps are major drawcards, complemented by the integrated smart systems on the 2.2 kW to 18 kW models, offering genuine plug-and-play functionality,” Kelsey noted.

“This feature allows for fully automatic operation with comprehensive built-in protections.”

For larger duty requirements, Integrated Pump Technology supplies Grindex pumps in the 25 kW to 90 kW range, supported by external control and monitoring panels. The product range can also be tailored to suit different abrasive conditions through material options.

“Customers can specify nitrile rubber or polyurethane linings to handle highly abrasive environments,” he added. “A popular choice is internal polyurethane inserts paired with a lightweight, corrosion-resistant stainless steel casing.”

The stainless steel design significantly reduces pump weight, an important advantage in underground settings where equipment is frequently moved by hand. A split handle configuration further improves ease of transport, allowing two people to carry the unit safely.

“Our rapid response capability sets us apart in the Copperbelt region,” Kelsey emphasised. “Through our close partnership with IES, we ensure technicians remain highly skilled, aligned with OEM standards and equipped with a first-class workshop.”

This local support model enables quick turnaround on repairs, whether for full overhauls, smaller cable fixes or on site technical assistance. Kelsey adds that carefully managed local stock levels ensure critical spare parts are readily available, helping mines minimise downtime and maintain operational continuity.