MYSOL strengthens its chrome mining operations in South Africa with Volvo equipment. (Image source: Volvo CE)

MYSOL has rapidly emerged as a leading chrome mining contractor in South Africa, driven by a fleet of high-performance Volvo Construction Equipment, including excavators, wheel loaders, and articulated haulers. The company also benefits from dedicated service support provided by local Volvo dealer Babcock

Solly Madibela, owner of MYSOL, is crafting a success story built on vision, determination, and the robust power of Volvo excavators, wheel loaders, and articulated haulers. By 2025, the company aims to extract 200,000 tonnes of chrome ore per month using its own fleet, reinforcing its position in the stainless steel supply chain.

The foundation of trust in Volvo machines

Madibela’s journey with Volvo Construction Equipment began with hands-on experience operating their machines. “The performance of the Volvo machines was excellent, and I noted that the technology was updated on every new model,” he recalled, reflecting on his early days as a contractor using Volvo crawler excavators. This exposure laid the foundation for his trust in Volvo’s durability and innovation, shaping his long-term strategy for MYSOL.

Entering the chrome mining industry

After establishing MYSOL in 2018, Madibela initially relied on rented machinery. However, his goal was to own and operate his own fleet of mining excavators. That ambition became reality in 2021 when he purchased a Volvo EC550E crawler excavator along with a Volvo wheel loader, marking the start of an important partnership.

MYSOL quickly expanded its operations, adding a second EC550E, followed by three EC950E and three EC750D excavators. Among them, the EC750D stood out as Madibela’s preferred choice. “The EC750D is so fast and reliable. You should see that machine working!” he says.

Scaling up with Volvo articulated haulers

In 2024, MYSOL further enhanced its mining fleet with Volvo articulated haulers, which work seamlessly alongside the company’s excavators in large-scale excavation projects. A major fleet expansion in September 2024 included 18 Volvo A40 articulated haulers, four additional EC750D excavators, and two more EC950E excavators.

“In this industry, performance is everything. Every cube that we move from the mine counts, so I need machines that are reliable and efficient. Thanks to the performance of the Volvo machines, and the support that I have received, MYSOL has been able to considerably expand over the last few years,” Madibela states.

Looking ahead to 2025, MYSOL has placed orders for 27 more articulated haulers and nine excavators to support new contracts.

Comprehensive service and support from Babcock

Beyond high-performance machinery, MYSOL’s success is also attributed to the strong service support provided by Volvo dealer Babcock.

“Babcock have supported our growth from the start, from structuring finance deals to safeguard our cashflow, to ensuring quick turnaround times of machines and parts, and providing fast responses and solutions to any queries we may have,” stated Madibela.

He highlights the importance of machine uptime and availability in his operations. “They understand that our business is based on production, and that if we don’t produce, we don’t make money. Availability of our machines is critical, so Babcock have provided us with four on-site mechanics to service our machines as part of our maintenance contracts. Their parts availability is excellent, and if a specific part isn’t available, they will make a plan for you.”

A Strong partnership driving mining growth in South Africa

For Madibela, the relationship with Volvo and Babcock extends beyond just acquiring equipment—it’s a strategic business partnership.

“Babcock don’t only care about selling me machines – they really care about my business,” said Madibela. “Their team is very hands-on and they find the best solutions and prices. Babcock have helped me to perform better, and thanks to them, I’m getting more business.”

As MYSOL continues to expand its presence in South Africa’s chrome mining sector, Madibela remains committed to Volvo Construction Equipment and Babcock’s support. “As my business grows, I intend to continue using Volvo Construction Equipment exclusively, as these powerful machines add leverage and value to my tender applications, affirming that MYSOL can deliver for our clients,” concluded Madibela.

New high-capacity cone crushers offer improved efficiency, durability, and automation for aggregates and mining industries worldwide. (Image source: Metso Corporation)

Metso has introduced three advanced cone crushers—HP600e, HP800e, and HP900e—expanding its latest generation of high-capacity crushing solutions

These models retain the trusted features of the existing range while increasing production capabilities for both aggregate processing and demanding mining applications.

“The evolution of Metso’s cone crusher technology brings multiple benefits and presents a true step change in terms of performance, uptime, serviceability, and application coverage. We are excited to expand the series and bring to market a wider offering of these high-performance crushers fit for different production purposes,” commented Ilkka Somero, product manager of HP cones at Metso’s aggregates business area.

“Efficiency is the key to meeting the industry's needs. With the robust new units, we can offer performance, longer lifetime, and higher cost efficiency to our customers,”remarked Nicolas Gallay, director of gyratory and large cone crushers at Metso.

The HP600e and HP900e models build upon proven designs, while the HP800e introduces a new option with a 600 kW / 800 hp capacity. Each unit includes two modern automation platform options: IC70C and MCP. These systems enhance visibility, monitoring, and control of the crushing process, while also enabling remote connectivity and digital services.

Enhanced crusher efficiency

The HP600e, HP800e, and HP900e offer:

• Up to 15% greater capacity* and 35% higher crushing force* due to enhanced kinematics and increased power.

• Optimised crushing chambers, reduced head spinning, and ring bounce detection to maximise efficiency and wear life.

• A complete drive and sub-frame system for safer and faster installation while reducing dynamic load by up to 70%.

• A new lifting tool for the feed cone, enhancing safety during wear part changes.

A core principle of this series is its upgradability. Operators with previous-generation crushers can integrate the latest features or upgrade components for improved efficiency and performance.

Metso offers various upgrade options for existing models, allowing seamless and cost-effective modernisation with the newest features. In addition to product enhancements, Metso provides installation, commissioning, inspections, refurbishment, shutdown support, lifecycle service agreements, and a full range of wear and spare parts.

All services and upgrades adhere to strict quality standards, ensuring optimal performance. Metso’s extensive distribution network further enhances customer support by delivering localised expertise, quick response times, and tailored service solutions.

With over 13,000 units in operation worldwide, these crushers remain a trusted choice for mining and aggregate industries.

Anglo American Platinum's Mogalakwena mine achieves IRMA 50, marking a milestone in responsible platinum mining and sustainability efforts. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Anglo American Platinum has announced that its Mogalakwena mine in South Africa has undergone its first assessment against the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance’s (IRMA) rigorous mining standard, achieving an IRMA 50 rating

This milestone underscores the company’s holistic approach to sustainability and its dedication to transparency in responsible platinum group metals (PGMs) production.

Craig Miller, CEO of Anglo American Platinum, emphasised the significance of this achievement, “As a leading adopter of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), we recognise that stakeholders, including our shareholders and customers, need to trust where and how our metals are mined. With this latest IRMA accreditation for Mogalakwena, we have achieved our target of having all our mines assured by 2025. We are immensely proud of the work the teams are doing across all of our operations to support responsible mining, enabling us to demonstrate an ethical value chain for our metals, and we look forward to continuing to lead the way in the PGMs sector globally.”

Mogalakwena is the final mine among Anglo American Platinum’s four wholly owned PGMs operations to undergo an IRMA audit. This follows the assessment of Unki mine in Zimbabwe, which became the first mine globally to commit to an independent IRMA audit, securing an IRMA 75 rating in 2021 and reaffirming it in 2024 through a surveillance audit. Mototolo and Amandelbult mines were also assessed for the first time in 2024, achieving IRMA 75 and IRMA 50 ratings, respectively.

IRMA provides independent third-party verification covering a broad range of social and environmental impacts associated with large-scale mining. The framework evaluates mines across four key principles, with certification levels ranging from IRMA Transparency—where mines disclose their assessment results—to IRMA 50, 75, or 100, depending on their adherence to core requirements and the percentage of additional criteria met.

Developed through more than a decade of public consultation involving over 100 stakeholders—including mining companies, consumers, NGOs, labor unions, and local communities—IRMA's Standard for Responsible Mining is recognized as one of the most comprehensive and stringent mining verification processes.

Aimee Boulanger, executive director of IRMA, highlighted the value of these audits, “Through detailed IRMA audit reports, mining companies, communities and companies that purchase mined materials can gain the information they need to decide what’s going well and what may require more attention at specific mines. Mogalakwena’s report demonstrates that the mine can point to transparent, independent evaluations of their environmental and social performance along with the other three Anglo American Platinum mines in South Africa and Zimbabwe.”

With tailored solutions and local support, Integrated Pump Technology ensures continuous operation for mines across the continent. (Image source: Integrated Pump Technology)

Integrated Pump Technology has been instrumental in assisting mining operations with the ongoing challenge of groundwater ingress, both at surface and underground levels

Uncontrolled groundwater can significantly disrupt mining activities, especially during the rainy season, which varies across Africa’s diverse regions. With mining sites exposed to anything from heavy seasonal rainfall to localised geological conditions, effective dewatering strategies are essential for maintaining both productivity and safety.

Managing director Jordan Marsh emphasises the company’s role as the authorised distributor of Grindex electric submersible pumps and Godwin diesel-driven self-priming pumps, offering reliable dewatering solutions tailored to diverse mining applications.

“Both these pump ranges are well-known global brands that are designed to handle the often harsh and unpredictable conditions that mines face across the continent. Mining operations in many parts of Africa, where dewatering is mission-critical, have been quick to adopt dewatering solutions from us, knowing that our team understands the requirements and the support is in place to ensure reliable operation,” explained Marsh.

Expanding African dewatering

The company’s strong market growth reflects its strategic expansion efforts in key mining regions. Notably, demand has surged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, where the rising global need for copper—driven by the transition to a lower-carbon economy—has fueled mining activity. Copper mines in the DRC, among the wettest in the world, present unique challenges in managing water ingress.

Marsh underscores the critical role of dewatering in these mines. “Our Grindex submersible pumps have long been the go-to solution for dewatering in these extremely wet mines, and with the addition last year of the diesel driven Godwin pump range to our portfolio we have seen increased demand for these units, whether skid or trailer mounted,” stated Marsh.

Recognising the importance of reliable service, Integrated Pump Technology is focused on strengthening its sales and support infrastructure through local distribution partnerships. This approach ensures that end-users receive consistent and effective assistance.

Marsh further highlights how the growing depth of Southern African copper mines is driving demand for powerful dewatering solutions. “Grindex pumps, known for their durability and effectiveness, are playing a pivotal role in keeping these deeper mining operations operational and safe. Significantly, the demand is for both smaller pumps (3.7 kW and 5.6 kW) and larger units (up to 90 kW),” noted Marsh.

Beyond the DRC and Zambia, the company continues to expand its footprint into East and West Africa. A key factor in its success has been the development of a strong distributor network, ensuring that mining operations in countries such as Angola, DRC, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda receive the necessary expertise and equipment to address their specific dewatering needs.

“Our business development drive into these African territories is yielding exciting progress,” concluded Marsh.

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