Mining

Conceptual image of remote monitoring using a fixed-wing VTOL drone Image courtesy of Aerosense Inc. (Image source: OC Global)

Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd. (OC Global), in collaboration with MSC Partners Inc., has begun supporting a demonstration project led by Aerosense Inc. to introduce remote mine monitoring services using fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)

The initiative has been selected under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) “Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project” for fiscal year 2025, funded through the supplementary budget. The programme covers small-scale demonstration initiatives and feasibility studies aimed at fostering international cooperation and developing solutions to shared economic and industrial challenges.

The project will assess how Japanese-made fixed-wing VTOL drone technology can improve oversight of mining operations across the Copperbelt region, which spans Zambia and the DR Congo. By enabling large-scale remote surveillance and collecting critical site data, the initiative aims to strengthen mining governance and improve the reliability of critical mineral supply chains, particularly those involving copper and cobalt, which are essential to Japan’s industrial and economic interests.

Addressing mining oversight and environmental risks in the copperbelt

The Copperbelt is internationally recognized as a major source of copper and cobalt, two minerals that play a vital role in global industrial production and emerging technologies. However, monitoring mining activities across this extensive region presents significant logistical challenges. The large geographical coverage of mining sites and their distance from capital cities can make effective supervision difficult, highlighting the need for greater operational transparency and more dependable mineral supply networks.

Mining operations also face environmental and safety concerns, including potential failures of tailings storage dams containing mining waste and water, as well as water contamination resulting from chemical leaks. These hazards underscore the importance of continuous monitoring across broad areas to identify potential risks, protect surrounding ecosystems and improve safety conditions for mine workers.

Through the demonstration project, the participating companies aim to evaluate drone-based monitoring as a practical solution for improving visibility into mining activities while supporting responsible resource management.

Deploying Japanese-made VTOL drones for remote mine surveillance

Aerosense’s Japan-manufactured fixed-wing VTOL drones will be deployed at selected mining locations to demonstrate three principal capabilities.

• High-resolution aerial monitoring: Equipped with high-resolution and infrared cameras, the drones will capture detailed imagery of mining sites and help assess changing operational and environmental conditions.
• Real-time video transmission: Live aerial footage will be transmitted to relevant government agencies in capital cities through LTE networks and other communication methods, enabling authorities to access information remotely.
• Topographical and environmental data collection: Surveying instruments, LiDAR technology and other onboard equipment will be used to gather terrain information and environmental data to support mine oversight and risk assessment.

These capabilities will be evaluated for their potential to improve monitoring efficiency, strengthen information sharing with government authorities and facilitate earlier identification of environmental hazards across extensive mining areas.

OC Global builds on its critical minerals expertise in Southern Africa

OC Global brings regional experience in infrastructure development, strategic planning and critical mineral supply chain studies across Southern Africa. Among its previous initiatives is the “Study for Formulating a Master Plan for the Critical Minerals Supply Chain Sector Centered on the Copperbelt,” conducted under METI’s “Global South Master Plan.”

The current drone-based mine monitoring demonstration is one of five strategic initiatives identified in the master plan developed through that study. Building on its established relationships with local governments and relevant organizations, OC Global will contribute its project management capabilities and regional expertise to support the implementation and advancement of the initiative.

Working alongside MSC Partners Inc. and Aerosense Inc., OC Global will help advance the demonstration project and assess opportunities for developing a sustainable business model for remote mine surveillance and data provision.

Strengthening critical mineral supply chains through drone technology

The project aims to establish a viable service model that uses drone technology to provide wide-area mine monitoring and reliable operational data. Improved access to timely information could help strengthen transparency across critical mineral supply chains while supporting more effective environmental oversight and risk management.

By identifying potential environmental threats and improving monitoring capabilities, the initiative also seeks to enhance workplace safety and protect the lives of local mining personnel. Its broader objectives include promoting responsible mining practices, preserving the surrounding land and environment, and strengthening the resilience of copper and cobalt supply chains connecting Southern Africa with international markets.

Through its participation in this demonstration, OC Global is advancing technology-driven solutions for mining oversight and contributing to the development of more transparent, secure and sustainable critical mineral supply chains in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

ACMC, Scepter partner to advance African critical minerals projects

Africa Critical Minerals Corporation (ACMC) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Scepter, Inc. to apply Scepter’s artificial intelligence technology to the assessment of African critical minerals projects for ACMC’s development platform

ACMC is establishing a portfolio of mineral projects in partnership with local African stakeholders. Its approach encompasses identifying opportunities, securing project rights, making investments, and bringing together the technical expertise, development capabilities, and financing required to move projects forward. Development partners will be responsible for constructing and operating mines, while local participation, skilled employment, and knowledge transfer remain integral to each project.

Scepter’s ScepterAir platform combines sensor fusion with AI-powered anomaly detection and has previously been deployed in methane monitoring in collaboration with ExxonMobil. Under the MOU, the companies plan to combine satellite imagery, geological information, and geospatial datasets to pinpoint promising mineral prospects. Findings will then be assessed through field validation to inform exploration decisions and investment priorities.

Elias Pungong, ACMC’s chairman, commented, “Our objective is to build a portfolio of critical minerals projects in Africa that create lasting value where we work. Partners like Scepter are key to our vision: working with cutting-edge technology companies to identify and develop the strongest opportunities in Africa.”

Philip Father, Scepter’s founder and CEO, said, “We want to shorten the path from mineral identification through development and commercialization,” said Philip Father, Scepter’s Founder and CEO. “We see an extraordinary opportunity to collaborate with ACMC and its local partners to unlock the value of Africa’s mineral resources and build globally competitive critical minerals industries.”

Kweku Awotwi, a mining industry veteran and Senior Advisor to Scepter, highlighted the broader implications of applying AI to mineral development, stating, “I’m excited about the transformative potential of Scepter’s technology. AI-driven resource intelligence can fundamentally change how African nations develop their mineral resources, helping them move up the value chain.”

ACMC also intends to connect American technology, financing, and expertise with African mining opportunities. This strategy includes pursuing U.S. public-private partnerships to support technical assessments, feasibility studies, and infrastructure development, helping projects become more attractive to private investors.

Carrie Clark, ACMC’s co-founder and chief operating officer, emphasised the strategic importance of early investment in the sector, saying, “U.S. national security demands earlier investment in Africa’s critical minerals,” said Carrie Clark, ACMC’s Co-founder and COO. “Scepter’s technology shows how American innovation can de-risk early-stage opportunities and open the door to American capital. We support win-win development that builds long-term prosperity in the markets we operate in.”

Vedanta invests nearly US$600mn in Gamsberg Phase II, doubling South African zinc capacity to 500,000 tonnes annually.

Vedanta Limited, the flagship company of the Vedanta Group, has announced the doubling of annual zinc production capacity at its South African zinc operations to 500,000 tonnes¹

The expansion involves an investment of nearly US$ 600mn in Phase II of the Gamsberg project, operated by Vedanta Zinc International (VZI). The expanded facility was inaugurated by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Vedanta Limited Director Priya Agarwal-Hebbar.

Located in South Africa’s Northern Cape province, Gamsberg is VZI’s flagship zinc mine and hosts one of the world’s most significant zinc deposits. The expansion represents one of the largest mining investments in South Africa during the current decade.

The project further reinforces Vedanta Limited’s position as the world’s largest² zinc producer, supporting its ambition to achieve annual production of 3 million tonnes across India and South Africa. Of this target, 2 million tonnes are expected to come from its subsidiary, Hindustan Zinc Limited (NSE: HINDZINC; BSE: 500188), the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, while Vedanta Zinc International aims to contribute 1 million tonnes annually.

With zinc playing a crucial role in modern industrial and infrastructure development, global consumption continues to rise. Through galvanisation, zinc protects steel, the world’s most widely used metal, against corrosion, prolonging its lifespan and enabling its use across construction, automotive, manufacturing and other industries. Together, Hindustan Zinc and Vedanta Zinc International strengthen Vedanta Limited’s ability to meet the increasing global demand for zinc.

The Gamsberg Phase II expansion is part of Vedanta’s ZAR 21 billion investment commitment, equivalent to nearly US$ 1.5bn, announced at the 2018 South Africa Investment Conference. At the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi last month, President Ramaphosa urged greater Indian investment in key South African industries. Vedanta’s continued investment in the Northern Cape highlights the practical benefits of the strengthening economic partnership between India and South Africa.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said, “We have come to celebrate an investment that has moved from commitment to construction, and from construction to production. We welcome Vedanta’s ambition to establish zinc smelting capacity in the Northern Cape. Government must work with Vedanta and other partners to address their requirements.”

Priya Agarwal-Hebbar, director of Vedanta and Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc, said, “For Vedanta, Gamsberg Phase II is more than an expansion of its zinc business. It is a commitment to South Africa’s future. My father, Vedanta founder and Chairman Anil Agarwal, made that commitment with the belief that the country’s mineral wealth could become a foundation for industrial growth, jobs and opportunity. Today, I am proud to see that vision coming to life. Our ambition is to build a globally significant zinc and industrial hub in the region., creating lasting value for the country and its people. The true measure of our success is not just what we produce, but the prosperity we help create for generations to come,”

In addition to generating employment through its operations, Vedanta has invested nearly US$ 20 million in community development initiatives across South Africa since acquiring Vedanta Zinc International in 2011. These programmes focus on healthcare, education, care centres, sports, livelihood opportunities, infrastructure and social welfare, benefiting more than 32,000 people annually. Earlier this year, Vedanta Zinc International also inaugurated an oncology centre in Namakwa as part of its priority community development initiatives.

Real-time tyre data can boost mining operations (Image source: Michelin)

Amaury Vadon, Michelin’s vice-president for Africa, India and the Middle East, explores how real-time tyre data and predictive maintenance can help African mines reduce costs, improve safety and boost operational efficiency

Mining operations across Africa are under increasing pressure to do more with less. Rising input costs, constrained capital investment, ageing fleets, and increasing ESG expectations are forcing operators to rethink how they optimise productivity while maintaining safety standards. In this environment, incremental gains in efficiency are no longer enough — mines need smarter, data-driven approaches that enable real-time decision-making and operational resilience.

This is where Michelin Better Mining is positioned as a strategic partner, helping operations unlock safer, more productive, and more sustainable performance through integrated tyre, data, and operational solutions.

Michelin Better Mining is not a single product or technology. It is Michelin’s comprehensive approach to partnering with mining operations across Africa to deliver measurable outcomes. The approach is anchored on three core pillars. Safety focuses on reducing operational risks and preventing incidents before they occur. Productivity centres on maximising asset performance and uptime across haulage fleets that drive 50%+ of operating costs. Sustainability targets lower environmental impact while supporting long-term value creation through energy-efficient technologies and responsible lifecycle management. Together these pillars form a holistic partnership that combines Michelin’s products, services, data, and expertise to solve systemic challenges African mines face today.

At the core of that partnership for African operations is MICHELIN MEMS 4. As the fourth generation of the first tyre monitoring system built specifically for surface mining equipment, MEMS 4 delivers what decision-makers need most: real-time intelligence. Unlike basic alerts, MEMS 4 continuously tracks tyre temperature, pressure and GPS location, and stores a full history for each tyre. That history is critical because tyre wear and failure rarely happen in isolation. Patterns emerge over weeks and months, and MEMS 4 makes those patterns visible before they become costly downtime.

Heat is what kills these tyres. With MEMS 4, you can see which trucks are running hot and reroute them before you lose a tyre. For African mines running remote 24/7 fleets, that means less downtime and tyres that last longer.

MEMS 4 is supported by Michelin’s Better Haul Road solution, which turns tyres into sensors to measure road undulation and truck cornering severity. For African mines managing vast haul networks with aging infrastructure, that data identifies where roads are rough, where trucks corner too hard, and where drivers need coaching. Teams can then adjust grading schedules and smooth problem sections. The result is lower diesel burn, fewer tyre replacements, and safer roads — direct contributions to both productivity and sustainability outcomes.

Michelin brings best-in-class capabilities to support all three pillars of Better Mining. On safety, solutions include TK Solution, Klinge, in-depth scrap tyre analysis, and continuous product innovation designed to reduce operational risks. On productivity, the portfolio includes the X MINE 70/70 tyre launched in 2023 for increased tramming speed and load capacity, Customer Engineering Support teams providing deep local mining expertise, MICHELIN MEMS 4 for real-time tyre monitoring, and Better Haul Road for road condition optimisation. On sustainability, Michelin delivers energy-efficient tyre technologies, end-of-life tyre solutions, and initiatives supporting environmental impact reduction and social development.

The strategic value of this partnership becomes clearest at scale. Valterra Platinum’s Flatreef project, one of the world’s largest platinum, palladium and rhodium deposits, demonstrates how small efficiency gains compound across a large fleet. Even a 1-2% improvement in haulage efficiency or a 10% extension in tyre life translates to millions saved per year. In Michelin’s “Inside the Mine” feature, Valterra’s crew showed how MEMS 4 data keeps 24/7 operations running with fewer interruptions. Dispatchers see which trucks need attention before they fail. Maintenance teams plan work around production schedules. Managers have data combined with Michelin’s expertise to back decisions.

For African operations facing rising costs and ESG pressure, Better Mining provides the operational control needed to stay competitive. For mines looking to get more from what they already have, it’s not about redesigning the pit. It’s about making smarter decisions with real-time data and shifting maintenance from reactive to predictive. Those small gains per truck add up fast across a fleet. Michelin Better Mining delivers that shift by acting as a strategic partner, not a supplier — bringing integrated tyre, data and operational solutions that make African mining safer, more productive, and more sustainable.