Mining

Volvo Mining to target global mining sector (Image source: Volvo Group)

Volvo Group is poised to capture more of a share in Africa’s mining industry with a new dedicated entity with a focus on the sector

The newly-formed Volvo Mining unit will be officially launched on 1 January, 2027 and hosted within Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE).

It aims to bring together the group’s capabilities and expertise under a single, integrated business structure for the benefit of customers across the global mining industry.

The plan is that Volvo Mining will sell Volvo trucks, construction equipment and autonomous solutions to mining customers and their contractors.

As mining enters a new phase of growth and transformation, Volvo Mining will provide the focus needed to help customers meet increased demand for productivity, safety and resilience, according to Melker Jernberg, president of Volvo CE.

“Mining has been an important part of the Volvo Group for decades, but the industry's growing significance calls for an even greater level of focus,” said Jernberg.

“With Volvo Mining as our centre of expertise, we are combining capabilities from across the group to further enhance customer value in collaboration with our retail partners — this will create new opportunities to strengthen our position in a strategically important and growing segment.”

Backed by dedicated financial resources, Volvo Mining will drive product and service portfolio management for the group’s mining segment globally and take on a coordinating role in the various research projects across the group.

Initially, Volvo Mining will focus on mining customers and contractors in the Nordic region, with a phased expansion into additional markets.

Africa is a key and growing global mining region, producing commodities including platinum group metals, copper, cobalt, gold and manganese. 

As demand for critical minerals grows, mining companies are under increasing pressure to boost productivity, improve safety and reduce emissions, creating new opportunities for major equipment suppliers offering integrated solutions.

“Success in the mining industry is built over time. Customers make long-term investments and value trusted partners that combine high performance, operational expertise, and a deep understanding of their business,” said Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks.

“By creating one organisation focused solely on creating a world-class product and services portfolio for the mining industry, with an end-to-end perspective, we can better leverage the Volvo Group offer in a more seamless approach.”

Mining operations require multiple types of machines and vehicles working together across excavation, hauling, loading, and transportation in demanding and often remote conditions.

As mines continue to focus on improving productivity, reducing emissions, and enhancing safety, the need for integrated solutions is increasing.

“By combining our proven autonomous technology and operational experience with Volvo group’s broader expertise, portfolio and customer relationships, we can provide integrated solutions that also deliver measurable value for mining customers – improving safety, productivity and efficiency across their operations”, added Nils Jaeger, president of Volvo Autonomous Solutions.

Mota-Engil Africa to Upgrade Mining Equipment and Workforce Skills. (Image source: EBRD)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a €99.1 million loan, equivalent to US$111mn, to Mota-Engil Africa to support its mining services operations in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal

Mota-Engil Africa is a leading engineering, construction and mining services company operating across the continent, with involvement in major mining and infrastructure projects.

The financing will cover the acquisition of modern equipment, working capital needs and the refinancing of recent investments at three mines in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. The funding is intended to boost productivity, expand operational capacity and improve the sustainability of mining activities.

Replacing ageing machinery with newer, more environmentally friendly equipment is expected to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The agreement also includes a commitment by Mota-Engil Africa to invest in local workforce development. Plans include strengthening employee skills and introducing nationally accredited technical training programmes in collaboration with educational institutions in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. The initiatives will provide participants with skills relevant to the modern mining industry, build a stronger pool of qualified workers and widen access to quality employment.

Mota-Engil Africa will also introduce targeted initiatives to increase women’s participation in the sector, focusing on recruitment, retention and career progression in technical, operational and leadership roles.

The two areas of work will receive support from a €200,000 (approx. US$224,000) technical cooperation programme provided by the EBRD through its Gender and Economic Inclusion Framework.

The EBRD began investing in sub-Saharan Africa in 2025. To date, it has committed more than €620 million (approx. US$694 million) across Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal. Its investments support private-sector development, financial institutions, infrastructure, energy, natural resources, telecommunications and agribusiness.

Guinea, Uganda and Egypt outline plans to expand mineral processing

Guinea-Conakry is targeting five operational alumina refineries by 2030, with three already under construction, according to Daouda Diakité, senior adviser to Guinea’s minister of mines and geology

He announced the target during a ministerial panel at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 in Cape Town on Wednesday.

The plan is a key component of Guinea’s Simandou 2040 strategy, which aims to move the country beyond raw mineral exports towards domestic processing and industrial development. Guinea intends to achieve annual alumina production capacity of seven to eight million tons by 2030, supported by investment in steel manufacturing, electricity generation and downstream infrastructure.

“Simandou 2040 is a strategy to shift from being a raw material exporter to developing a strong processing base that can sustain the country’s downstream sector. To achieve this, we are encouraging investment in domestic aluminum and steel production, as well as power projects that can support downstream development.,” he stated.

By building on its substantial bauxite and iron ore reserves, Guinea aims to develop domestic processing capabilities and attract investment in refining facilities, industrial infrastructure and power supply. These developments are intended to strengthen the country’s downstream industries and increase the value generated from its mineral resources.

Diakité also outlined progress towards domestic steel production associated with the Simandou iron ore project, confirming that feasibility work is nearing completion.

“The steel from Simandou has to be processed in Guinea, and we are finishing the feasibility study for that,” he added.

Guinea’s downstream development programme also extends to gold, with work progressing towards establishing a domestic gold refinery.

Uganda is pursuing a similar approach, using mineral processing to support industrialisation and regional trade. Monica Musenero Masanza, minister of energy and mineral development, said the country operates ten gold refineries that serve neighbouring East African markets.

“Rather than every nation enduring the high cost of building refineries, Uganda offers a regional solution. We allow our East African neighbors to bring gold in tax-free for toll processing, and because our operations run on excess renewable energy, the final product is truly green gold,” she stated.

In addition to gold refining, Uganda is developing its capacity to process tin to 99.9% purity and is advancing beneficiation initiatives for iron ore and phosphate. These activities are intended to supply materials for infrastructure projects and agricultural production.

“Uganda’s rapid development requires massive amounts of steel and fertilizer. With 14 companies lined up to produce steel billets from local iron ore and active plans to process our phosphate reserves, we are adding value to our minerals directly to build our infrastructure and fuel our agricultural needs,” Masanza added.

Egypt, meanwhile, is seeking to support Africa’s mineral-producing countries through logistics and infrastructure development. Its plans focus on improving links between mining sites, processing facilities and international markets.

Mohamed Zada, deputy minister for strategic industries, identified potential for cross-border investment in electricity generation, seaports and mineral transportation networks to facilitate the growth of Africa’s downstream industries.

“Egypt’s strategic location makes it a natural logistics hub. By partnering across the continent to build power plants and seaport infrastructure, we can optimize supply chains and bring Africa's finished mineral products to global markets,” he stated.

The developments discussed at AMW 2026 reflect a wider push to expand mineral refining, manufacturing and logistics capabilities across Africa. By investing in these areas, countries aim to retain more value from their mineral resources and create opportunities throughout the continent’s mining value chain.

Integrated Pump Technology delivers Grindex and Godwin dewatering solutions for demanding mining applications. (Image source: Integrated Pump Technology)

Unpredictable rainfall and increasingly demanding water management requirements are putting additional pressure on mining operations across Central Africa

Integrated Pump Technology, distributor of Grindex submersible pumps and Godwin surface pumps, is addressing these challenges through application-specific pumping solutions, regional partnerships and technical support designed around the needs of local mines.

The company’s presence in Central Africa has grown alongside the expansion of the region’s mining industry, particularly in copper and gold production. Larger mining operations have increased the need for comprehensive pumping equipment, reliable aftersales services and technical expertise.

JD Nel, Godwin product manager, explained, “We have had a presence in the regions for a while now. Over the years, it expanded because of growing commodity demand, such as copper. Also, mines in Central Africa are often up to five times bigger than what we are used to in Africa. That is why we need to have a comprehensive equipment offering along with aftersales and technical support.”

Addressing changing dewatering demands

Managing water has become increasingly challenging as mining operations contend with changing rainfall patterns. According to Nel, heavier and less predictable storms can overwhelm mine water management systems, disrupting production and placing greater demands on dewatering equipment.

“The biggest challenge for the mining operations is rain and climate change. The rain is coming down on a more frequent basis, and it’s double the amount it previously was. Unforeseen rains have a huge impact on any mining operation, which can bring production to a halt.”

To address these requirements, Integrated Pump Technology provides different pumping solutions for underground and open-pit mining environments, taking into account the operating conditions and water volumes involved.

For underground applications, the company supplies Grindex electrical submersible pumps, which are used for routine dewatering in demanding mining environments. Introduced in the 1960s, the pumps have established a presence in heavy-duty applications worldwide. Their design supports operation in harsh, abrasive conditions, including continuous dewatering duties without constant operator supervision.

Open-pit mines often require a different approach, particularly when heavy rainfall results in large volumes of accumulated water. Integrated Pump Technology combines Grindex electrical pumps with Godwin self-priming diesel and electric units to address these requirements.

Pump selection depends on the conditions at each site, including the availability of power and the volume of water that needs to be removed. As Nel explained, “The selection of a suitable pump depends on a few factors that need to be kept in mind such as power availability and volumes of water.”

Local partnerships support operational continuity

Access to equipment, spare parts and technical assistance is particularly important for mines operating in remote locations. Integrated Pump Technology works with local distributors to provide support closer to customers and help maintain the availability of essential dewatering equipment.

In Zambia, Integrated Engineering Services maintains pump and spare-parts stocks and operates a fully equipped workshop. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the company is represented by Congo Pump Solutions. Both partners provide daily on-site assistance to mining operations.

Nel highlights the importance of this local expertise: “Our local partners understand a mining operation and our product offering. This ensures that we can change the pump out or select the correct pump for a specific application, which adds value towards the mining operations,”

Beyond equipment supply and replacement, the company also investigates pump failures to determine whether the equipment is appropriate for the conditions in which it operates. Examining the application helps identify potential causes of failure and supports more suitable equipment selection.

“There should be a reason why a pump fails. So, we’ll go and have a look at the application to ensure that the pump is the correct pump for that specific application.”

Expanding regional support

Integrated Pump Technology plans to increase its personnel and extend its presence across Central Africa as mining activity and dewatering requirements continue to evolve.

By combining Grindex and Godwin pumping equipment with local distributor networks and application-focused technical support, the company aims to help mining operators manage water more effectively. Its approach places emphasis not only on supplying pumps, but also on understanding site-specific conditions, responding to operational problems and selecting equipment suited to the demands of each application.