Debmarine Namibia unveils advanced crawler systems on MV Benguela Gem, enhancing offshore diamond recovery operations. (Image source: Debmarine Namibia)

Debmarine Namibia has announced a major advancement in marine diamond recovery with the unveiling of its Next Generation Crawlers, representing a significant leap in offshore recovery technology

This milestone coincides with the delivery of two 800NB crawlers (NB indicates Nominal Bore, the internal diameter of the crawler’s pipeline system) and an upgraded recovery system designed for seamless integration with the MV Benguela Gem.

These advanced crawlers showcase the forefront of marine engineering. Built to operate efficiently in coarser gravels and higher-density panels, they deliver a 20% boost in mining rates and extend pump life by 30%. Each crawler weighs 370 tonnes, redefining operational resilience and capability at sea.

The official unveiling and integration of the new generation crawler onto the MV Benguela Gem took place on 8 September, at Cape Town harbour.

Following the retirement of the MV Grand Banks and MV Coral Sea, the new crawlers are expected to boost Benguela Gem carat recovery by approximately 80,000 high-value carats annually. This increase is projected to more than offset the carats lost due to the retired vessels and aligns with the company’s strategic realignment to address reduced natural diamond demand.

Kevin Smith, chairman of the Debmarine Namibia Board, said, “We are confident that the new crawler investment combined with technological innovation and disciplined cost management, will position Debmarine Namibia to weather the downturn; and will put the company in a better position, poised for recovery when the natural diamond market demand strengthens.”

As the MV Benguela Gem readies for return to Namibian waters at the end of September 2025, Debmarine Namibia acknowledges the exceptional dedication and precision behind this achievement, particularly during financially challenging times. Training initiatives are underway to ensure safe and effective operation of the new systems, reinforcing the company’s commitment to capability development and shared value.

Shakwa Nyambe, board deputy chairperson, said, “This project is a clear example of how strategic foresight and technical excellence come together to deliver long-term value. The new crawlers are not just an upgrade, they are a platform for future innovation.”

“This milestone reflects the ingenuity, collaboration, and pioneering spirit that define Debmarine Namibia,” Smith added. “It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in marine diamond recovery.”

Trafo Power Solutions delivers nine specialised transformers to a mineral sands operation in Mozambique. (Image source: Trafo Power Solution)

Trafo Power Solutions has supplied nine transformers to an electrical contractor for installation at a mineral sands operation in Mozambique

The transformers were designed to manage large non-linear loads generated by the mine’s Variable Speed Drives. Seven of the units are 800 kVA transformers built for skid mounting, allowing easy mobility across the expansive site. The remaining two units, rated at 160 kVA, are pole-mounted. All nine transformers are rated at 22 kV to 415 V, matching the mine’s specific voltage needs.

David Claassen, managing director of Trafo Power Solutions, said this latest order follows an earlier successful supply of four dry-type transformers directly to the same operation. The previous batch included 3150 kVA transformers, also rated at 22 kV to 415 V, installed within IP23 enclosures, and equipped with the necessary control and protection systems for reliable performance in the corrosive mineral sands environment.

“The mineral sands mining environment is particularly harsh, with high humidity and salinity levels that can accelerate corrosion. Our transformers are specifically designed to withstand these conditions, ensuring longevity and reliability in such an aggressive setting,” remarked Claassen.

Claassen added that repeat business was influenced by the mine’s confidence in the performance of the earlier transformers. “When the need arose for additional transformers, the customer specifically requested Trafo Power Solutions, which underscores our commitment to delivering quality solutions that meet the exact needs of mining operations,” he commented.

Collaboration to deliver step-change capabilities through software-defined vehicle and autonomy platform. (Image source: Komatsu)

Komatsu has announced a strategic technology collaboration with Applied Intuition, a Silicon Valley-based leader in vehicle intelligence, to accelerate the development of its next-generation mining equipment

The partnership is focused on equipping Komatsu’s machinery with advanced technologies and real-time adaptability, enabling customers to achieve higher productivity, minimise downtime, and operate with greater precision.

By combining Applied Intuition’s expertise in vehicle operating systems, autonomy stacks, and AI-powered tools with Komatsu’s extensive background in off-highway autonomy and mining applications, the two companies will jointly create a unified software-defined vehicle (SDV) and autonomy platform. This platform will serve as the central intelligence of Komatsu’s future mining machines. Considered one of Komatsu’s most significant technology undertakings, the initiative signals a decisive move toward increasingly autonomous, software-driven mining operations.

“Komatsu is committed to creating value together with our customers, and this collaboration represents a step change in how we bring innovative, high-performance technology to their operations,” said Peter Salditt, president, mining business division, Komatsu and CEO, Komatsu Mining Technologies. “By combining Komatsu’s deep mining expertise with Applied Intuition’s cutting-edge AI and SDV solutions, we’re enabling a future where our equipment continuously evolves to meet customers’ unique mine site needs.”

The platform will deliver advanced machine intelligence through several core features:

• A software-defined vehicle architecture that supports continuous feature delivery over the machine’s lifecycle, with built-in data management, cybersecurity, and connected support.

• Scalable autonomy capabilities ranging from operator-assist functions to full autonomy on a single adaptable platform, suitable for diverse fleets, commodities, and operational conditions.

• Embedded AI and machine learning to enhance functionality and enable continuous adaptation to site-specific requirements as environments change.

With these innovations, mining companies are expected to see improved equipment performance, lower downtime, and higher return on investment. The architecture also aims to accelerate deployment, simplify support, and provide scalability across mines of varying sizes and locations—an important advantage for an industry navigating labor shortages, difficult environments, and growing global demand.

“In a world where autonomy is becoming the norm, our goal is to ensure our customers don’t just keep up—they lead,” said Qasar Younis, co-founder and CEO of Applied Intuition. “The mining industry is one of the most regulated in the world, and as the bar keeps rising around emissions, human safety and geopolitics, Applied Intuition and Komatsu plan to build the next generation of mining products and redefine modern software product development. The team is looking forward to breaking new ground and digging into the future.”

This collaboration strengthens Komatsu’s long-term vision of fully autonomous mining operations while also addressing urgent industry challenges. As demand for minerals accelerates and fewer skilled workers enter the sector, autonomy becomes increasingly vital for safe, efficient, and scalable mining.

Together, Komatsu and Applied Intuition are setting the stage for mining machines that can think, learn, and evolve—helping operators worldwide enhance efficiency, unlock more value, and build a more sustainable mining future.

Cranes under manufacture at Condra’s Raceway Industrial Park factory, outside Johannesburg (Image source: Condra)

Mining engineering company FL Smidth (FLS) has decommissioned a 10-ton Condra portal crane in Mozambique to use in a company workshop in Ghana

Two new machines of similar design and capacity, recently completed by Condra Johannesburg, are to join it.

Separately, Condra has additionally shipped two portal cranes of 15-ton capacity to FLS Saudi Arabia.

The four newly-completed cranes were dispatched mid-August, fulfilling orders placed in March by FL Smidth’s Sub-Sahara and West Africa Procurement Service.

Installation and commissioning of the FLS cranes in Accra and Dammam is expected to take place late September.

Condra has a long-standing relationship with FLS, enjoying a reputation for reliable, robust machines efficiently serviced by maintenance crews pre-cleared to enter destination countries throughout Africa and the Middle East.

All three Ghana cranes, including the machine from Mozambique, will be used for maintenance.

They will run on end-carriages customised with spaced nylon-treaded wheels to meet an FLS stipulation that floor loading at the workshop not exceed 5,000kg.

The decommissioned Mozambique crane will have these end-carriages fitted upon arrival in Accra, matching it to the twin 10-ton portal machines.

At the tender stage, FL Smidth requested maximum floorspace and lifting height within the constraints of the Accra workshop building.

To achieve this, Condra used SH (short headroom) hoists from its Titan range, then mounted geared drives vertically on the end-carriages to achieve a floorspace saving of about half that required by conventional mounts.

Other features include digital loadcell hoist readouts, variable-speed drives on the long-travels, and pendant backup for hand-held remote control units.

The two 15-ton portal cranes for Saudi Arabia have a general configuration similar to the Ghanaian cranes, but will run on conventional steel wheels and rails.

They will be installed in the FLS workshop in Dammam, an industrialised port city in the east of the country on the Gulf.

The tight constraints imposed by limited workshop space on crane installation at Dammam posed a challenge during the design phase: box girders,15-ton hoists, girder legs and end-carriages had all to be capable of assembly and installation within a vertical plane measuring just 8.3 metres across by 5.4 metres high.

Short-headroom SH hoists from the Titan range also helped meet this challenge, Condra said in a statement.

“Features of the Saudi cranes are similar to those for Ghana, with the exception of two-speed drives throughout, there being no variable-speed drives on the Saudi cranes,” it noted.

Condra also used 3D modelling software to prepare all four cranes for packing, virtually presenting them on-screen to digitised standard containers.

Just two containers were needed for actual dispatch to each country.

Condra’s Titan SH hoists are designed to make maximum use of expensive factory space – headroom as well as floor – reducing the size of many constituent parts to take height out of the final crane assembly.

They incorporate refinements such as automatic rope tensioning, smoother travel, built-in load limiter, standardised direct drive and universal carriage.

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