Mining

Denys Denya, Afreximbank’s senior executive vice-president at Mining Indaba 2025. (Image source: Afreximbank Group)

At the African Mining Indaba 2025 in Cape Town, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) urged African nations to take control of their natural resources, create employment opportunities, and establish industries that foster long-term prosperity

Addressing an audience of African leaders, policymakers, mining executives, and global stakeholders, the bank emphasised the need for strategic transformation in the continent’s mining sector.

Speaking at the ministerial symposium, Denys Denya, Afreximbank’s senior executive vice-president, underscored that Africa stood at a pivotal moment. He warned that the continent must choose between continuing to export its raw materials with minimal returns or implementing decisive measures to take ownership of its resources.

“While the global mining industry generated approximately US$1.7 trillion in revenue in 2023, Africa’s share of this wealth remains disproportionately low. Our continent extracts the raw materials that power the world’s industries, yet it is estimated that we retain as little as between 4% and 20% of the total value of our minerals due to minimal local processing and limited downstream development. The result? Lost economic opportunities, exposure to volatile commodity cycles and a persistent reliance on external markets for refined products derived from our own resources,” stated Denya.

“The choice is ours. The time to act is now. Let us work together: governments, financial institutions, investors, and industry players to build an Africa where mining is not just about extraction but about transformation, innovation and wealth creation,” remarked Denya.

Stronger collaboration

He highlighted that Africa possesses the necessary resources, market potential, and policy frameworks to evolve from a raw materials exporter into a globally competitive industrial powerhouse. However, he stressed that achieving this vision requires decisive action from all stakeholders. “Policymakers must implement clear, enforceable regulations that mandate local value addition and create investment-friendly environments. Private sector investors must step up with capital and technology to develop processing, refining, and manufacturing facilities.”

Denya called for a fundamental shift in Africa’s approach to mining, advocating for investment in refining, smelting, and advanced manufacturing rather than just extraction. “We must move beyond extraction and invest in refining, smelting and advanced manufacturing. African nations must increase local processing capacity for minerals such as bauxite, lithium, cobalt and iron ore,” Denya continued. 

He also stressed the importance of regional cooperation, noting that no single country can develop a complete mining value chain in isolation. He pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key mechanism for strengthening intra-African mineral value chains and fostering cross-border collaboration. Additionally, he emphasised the need for capital investment in mining-related infrastructure, technology transfer, and workforce development.

“Our mining policies must also prioritise environmental, social and governance standards, ensuring that mining benefits communities rather than displacing them,” he added. He argued that such an approach would generate millions of skilled jobs for Africa’s youth, reduce dependence on volatile international markets, and boost intra-African trade.

Reaffirming Afreximbank’s commitment to Africa’s mining sector, Denya revealed that the bank had approved over US$1bn in financing for mining and mineral sector projects over the past three years. This includes funding for a bauxite processing plant in Guinea, support for the expansion of a manganese processing plant in Gabon, and working capital financing for a diamond company in Botswana.

Among other significant initiatives, Afreximbank is backing a petrochemical fertiliser plant in Angola, a titanium dioxide pigment plant in South Africa, and a feasibility study for a limestone processing plant in Malawi.

Denya also highlighted the role of the US$10bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, managed by Afreximbank’s investment arm, FEDA, in supporting businesses and countries adapting to the new trade regime. He noted that the bank’s efforts to harmonize standards and implement the Africa Collaborative Transit Guarantee Scheme would ease cross-border movement of minerals and mining equipment, addressing logistical challenges.

Additionally, Afreximbank is leveraging digital solutions such as the Africa Trade Gateway and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System to enhance market access and streamline transactions. These tools aim to maximise Africa’s mineral wealth for industrialisation, value addition, and economic resilience.

Denya also underscored Afreximbank’s efforts to overcome infrastructure limitations that impede industrial growth. He highlighted the bank’s collaboration with development partners in expanding industrial parks and special economic zones (SEZs).

One of the most groundbreaking initiatives under this framework is the DRC/Zambia Electric Vehicle Battery Manufacturing Special Economic Zones. This project is positioning Africa as a key player in the global energy transition by establishing battery precursor SEZs, enhancing the two nations’ competitiveness in the battery electric vehicle value chain.

Also read: Mining giants look to renewable diesel feedstock 

Moolmans is a key player in South Africa's mining industry (PHOTO CREDIT: Adobe Stock)

Changes are underway at Moolmans, with a new look for one of Africa’s premier mining contractors

While maintaining elements of the company’s proud history within the sector, its new corporate identity and logo – revealed for the first time at the 2025 Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town – reflects the positive changes that are eagerly anticipated for the business over the coming months.

Moolmans has a solid reputation in Africa’s mining industry, with more than 70 years’ experience in different minerals and varied geographies across the continent.

“Our long-standing reputation for exceptional reliability and performance in the industry, is the cornerstone of the strong relationships we enjoy with our clients,” said Moolmans managing director, Rod Dixon.

But this reputation alone is not enough to ensure the company remains a forerunner on the continent, delivering end-to-end open-cut mining and rehabilitation excellence.

“Change is good, especially when it takes us closer to achieving our vision of being the premier mining contractor in Africa, delivering resources for a better future,” added Dixon.

In August 2024, shareholder Aveng announced that it would be exploring alternative ownership options for the tier 1 contract mining business, which would allow Moolmans to pursue focused operating and growth strategies separate from sister company, McConnell Dowell.

“What better time than now to make a change to the already strong Moolmans brand; to visually demonstrate our progressive outlook for the business and our ongoing investment in our people, premier equipment, processes and systems."

Large and diverse fleet

With substantial investment in additional equipment and cutting-edge technologies over the past few years, Moolmans has maintained one of the largest and most diverse fleets of mining equipment in Africa to suit various operational and project requirements and to tackle the most difficult terrains.

“However, delivering innovative solutions for our clients is equally dependent on harnessing the collective strengths of our people, who bring years of experience as well as new and advanced ways of thinking about mining in a world which is increasingly focused on sustainability,” said Dixon.

“Our strong new brand identity is, therefore, just as important internally because, together, we are focused on a common goal – a goal which is focused on crafting a better future for all our stakeholders and delivering prosperity wherever we operate.”

The quest for continuous improvement at Moolmans is being driven by these investments in groundbreaking technology. Things like process automation, real-time data analytics, remote operational centres and artificial intelligence are all being advanced within the business to help drive improved safety, operational and environmental performances.

“Being Africa’s premier contract miner doesn’t only mean that we deliver operational excellence, it also means that we care. We care about whether our employees are proud to work for us, whether our customers are proud to work with us and whether our communities are proud to be associated with us. We care about the environment and about building a sustainable future. We care about the way we do things. The future of mining is here, now, and we are extremely proud and excited to be part of it.”

South Africa's mining giants are exploring renewable diesel feedstock (PHOTO CREDIT: Adobe Stock)

Mining giants Anglo American and its diamond business De Beers are to partner South African energy group Sasol to generate feedstock for renewable diesel production in a bid to curb greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)

The companies have entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) that will lead to a pilot project for the production of feedstock for renewable diesel.

It is regarded as an important step for the companies as they look to establish the value chain for renewable fuels in South Africa.

Biofuels, derived from plant material or animal waste, are among the alternative fuels promoted to reduce carbon emissions.

“This is an important initiative to strengthen our commitment to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 2040,” said Alison Atkinson, Anglo American’s projects and development director.

“It is an innovation that contributes to our sustainability journey as a business and our quest to maintain a healthy environment by creating carbon neutral operations.”

Signed against the backdrop of the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, the objective of the JDA is to assess the technical and commercial viability of feedstock production, starting with Solaris and Moringa plantations to generate vegetable oil.

Sasol’s existing assets can take a variety of feedstocks, enabling them to produce renewable diesel using vegetable oil quicker than greenfield projects and at lower costs.

“We worked closely with our De Beers colleagues to conceive this partnership given their pre-feasibility studies on renewable diesel production trials within their mining operations and host communities. De Beers is also providing the more than 20-hectare pieces of land on which the trial feedstock will be grown, in Blouberg, Messina; Marble Hall in Limpopo; and the Voorspoed mine closure site in the Free State,” added Atkinson.

Although renewable diesel production in South Africa is not yet at a commercial scale, recent market engagements indicate that the country’s renewable fuels market is promising, driven by end customer demands and their decarbonisation targets, a statement by Sasol read.

“Renewable diesel is transformative,” said Dr Sarushen Pillay, executive vice-president of Sasol’s business building, strategy and technology portfolio, speaking at the signing ceremony. “It meets the technical standards of conventional diesel while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our customers can therefore, use it as a ‘drop-in’ fuel in their existing equipment and machinery to meet their greenhouse gas reduction commitments.”

“Partnering with Anglo American, we're investigating the development of a local and cost-effective supply chain for sustainable feedstock, utilising vegetable oil to produce renewable diesel in our facilities. As we innovate for a better world, Sasol’s ambition is clear — to help our customers navigate the energy transition while delivering high-quality, sustainable solutions for a low-carbon future,” concluded Pillay. 

SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa is expanding its presence and capabilities in the African market with a new Service and Repair Centre. (Image source: SEW-EURODRIVE)

As part of its strategy to ‘close the loop’ in its service offering, SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa, a specialist in drive and control technologies, has broken ground on a new 17 000 m² Service and Repair Centre

The establishment of the state-of-the-art facility plugs the gap for expert repair services for gearboxes in Africa.

Having moved into its contemporary 26 000 m² headquarters complex in Aeroton, Johannesburg, in early 2022, which represented Phase 1 of its investment drive in South Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE has commenced Phase 2 of its local expansion drive. Following the turning of the first sod on 2 September 2024, groundworks commenced the following week with completion of the project expected by November 2025 and occupation in early 2026.

Having invested R500 million in the new headquarters complex a few years ago, the ±R384 million investment in a new Service and Repair Centre right next to the head office signals SEW-EURODRIVE’s commitment to servicing customers in Africa and reflects the company’s confidence in the future of South Africa and the African continent in general.

Raymond Obermeyer, Managing Director of SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa, says the new facility – to be built on a 27 935 m² site area with 17 000 m² under roof – represents the company’s largest investment post the COVID-19 pandemic. It also forms part of SEW-EURODRIVE’s €1 billion investment in the expansion of its service capabilities in various markets across the world in 2024 alone.

Commenting on the reasoning behind this massive investment, Obermeyer explains that as a market leader in planetary gearboxes with over 40 years of trading in South Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE recognises the need to enhance its capabilities to service and repair millions of units in the region. As a leading global Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), the company’s expertise positions it to meet the growing demand for repair services in Africa.

“Currently, our competitors in the gearbox market primarily focus on selling equipment with a limited offering of the necessary repair and support services,” says Obermeyer. “This gap presents a significant opportunity for SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa to not only service our own products but also to repair competitors’ equipment, thereby increasing our market share and fostering sustainable growth.”

According to Obermeyer, major players in the gearbox repair market are often private companies offering services that most OEMs neglect. By establishing its own Service and Repair Centre, SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa can minimise reliance on external contractors, reducing risks associated with quality control and service delivery.

The new facility’s workshop will offer full service and repair capabilities such as sand blasting, spray painting and stripping of products. It will also contain a fabrication section to manufacture baseplates, guards and steelworks.

In addition, it will have a full motor repair department for motor rewinding, as well as offering assembly and repairs with burnout ovens and rotor balancing. This will be complemented by state-of-the art load test facilities.

Moreover, a storage facility and a fully operational 30 bay assembly area will give SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa the capacity to assemble in excess of 300 repaired units per month.

“The new Service and Repair Centre offers us enhanced capabilities. The decision to expand our operations includes manufacturing of all steel products and providing comprehensive repair and rewind services for our own products. This vertical integration allows us to maintain control over quality and service standards, reinforcing our commitment to excellence and sustainability,” says Obermeyer.

The new centre, he adds, now enables the company to offer a full suite of services in its quest to ‘close the loop’. By doing so, SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa aims to deliver the complete SEW-EURODRIVE experience, ensuring that its customers receive top notch service and quality throughout the value chain. This is particularly important in the mining value chain where mines have a clear focus on reducing their operating costs and total cost of ownership.

Obermeyer expects the new facility to create 80 to 100 job opportunities, adding to the 100 created as a result of the Phase 1 expansion. He, however, notes that these opportunities will be for highly sought after skills which are often in short supply. To bridge the technical skills gap, the new Service and Repair Centre will house a larger DriveAcademy, significantly upgrading the current 1 500 m² training facility located at the headquarters’ complex. This will be complemented by SEW-EURODRIVE’s information technology centre.

“The establishment of the new Service and Repair Centre is a strategic move to enhance our service offering, address market gaps and strengthen our position as the leading gearbox OEM in South Africa. This investment not only secures our legacy but also paves the way for future growth and innovation,” concludes Obermeyer.