Mining

Namibia mine to supply Saudi industrial venture

Tapping Africa's immense resources potential

Canada’s Northern Graphite is looking to restart production at Namibia’s Okanjande graphite mine after signing a deal to supply a new battery anode material (BAM) plant in Saudi Arabia

The graphite mine has been on care and maintenance since 2018.

It follows the signing of a US$200mn agreement with Obeikan Investment Group to jointly develop and operate a large-scale BAM facility in Saudi’s Yanbu Industrial City through a joint venture company.

The joint venture company will be 51% owned by Obeikan and 49% by Northern with first phase BAM production capacity forecast at 25,000 tonnes per year (tpy), to be followed by potential expansion to meet growing global demand.

Construction of the industrial facility is expected to start in 2026, with first-phase production forecast to begin in 2028.

The two sides will also look to conclude a long-term offtake agreement for the purchase of up to 50,000 tpy of graphite concentrate from Northern’s Okanjande mine.

Hugues Jacquemin, Northern Graphite’s CEO, said the joint venture marks a defining step in Northern’s evolution from a mining company into a fully integrated, global battery anode material producer.

“By partnering with Obeikan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we are partnering with a well-financed and experienced industrial player, gaining scale, financing strength, and access to one of the world’s most strategically important industrial hubs,” he said, “while accelerating the restart of our Okanjande mine in Namibia and advancing our broader mine-to-market strategy.”

The project is also aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and accelerating demand for secure, non-Chinese graphite anode supply chains.

Project debt financing is expected to to be sourced from Saudi government finance agencies, as well as local and global commercial banks.

According to SNE Research, lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing capacity is expected to reach 4,527 GWh by 2035 (9% CAGR), with graphite retaining over 91% anode share through 2040.

At the same time, evolving policies are splitting the global graphite market as tariffs and de-risking measures drive demand for non-Chinese anode materials.

“Saudi Arabia is an attractive location for our BAM plant due to its low energy and labour costs, close proximity to Namibia, strong government support, favourable financing conditions, and trade advantages that include low tariffs into the US and efficient access to European markets,” said Jacquemin.

Northern will receive a royalty on net sales of BAM in addition to its direct ownership interest in the joint venture company.

It also materially accelerates the restart and potential expansion of the Okanjande mine in Namibia, Northern commented in a statement, “and represents an opportunity to substantially increase the company’s graphite production at a lower cost and with a shorter time to market than most competing projects.”

A preliminary economic assessment for the Okanjande project contemplates 31,000 tpy of production over a 10-year mine life.

However, Northern believes the mine contains a “substantial measured and indicated resource” and intends to prepare a new technical report to evaluate the economics of producing at a higher rate.

Giant mining trucks head for Guinea

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Cat AI assistant transforms equipment management

Caterpillar AI Assistant for equipment management. (Image source: Caterpillar)

Caterpillar Inc. has launched Cat AI Assistant, an AI-powered solution that transforms how customers interact with Caterpillar equipment and digital applications

The tool makes it easier to buy, maintain, manage, and operate machinery anywhere.

This launch marks a major advance in Industrial AI, combining data, AI, and heavy equipment to improve productivity, efficiency, and safety.

Built on over a century of Caterpillar innovation, Cat AI Assistant brings together the company’s digital applications and vast high-quality data into one simple conversational experience. Acting as a proactive partner, it leverages the full Caterpillar knowledge base to provide personalised insights and enable faster, smarter decisions.

“Caterpillar’s strong digital foundation, including our Helios data platform that manages over 16 petabytes of data, is helping us move fast and deploy new AI capabilities to help our customers succeed,” said Ogi Redzic, Caterpillar chief digital officer.

“Cat AI Assistant is a major leap forward in how Caterpillar supports customer success through best-in-class digital solutions, whether they’re working from corporate headquarters or at a remote jobsite.”

For fleet managers and business owners

Cat AI Assistant acts as an extra set of eyes on equipment, evolving alongside operations. It continually refines insights and recommendations to help turn unplanned incidents into planned maintenance and keep pace with growing businesses.

For technicians

Technicians can rely on Cat AI Assistant to quickly access the right section from thousands of instruction manuals using simple voice commands without interrupting their work. It offers step-by-step guidance, highlights common issues, and suggests any additional parts needed, saving both time and resources.

For machine operators

Operators benefit from a seamless connection throughout their workday from machine startup to shift handoff. Acting as an in-cab coach, Cat AI Assistant provides actionable insights to help operators work smarter and safer without switching screens or returning to the yard. Powered by the NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform, it performs speech recognition and advanced AI tasks at the edge and can even assist with directing the machine.

With industries facing talent shortages and increasingly complex jobsites, Cat AI Assistant supports less experienced operators in improving productivity while enabling Cat dealers to provide more tailored insights. The goal is to keep Caterpillar customers one step ahead.

Caterpillar plans to launch the off-board Cat AI Assistant in the first quarter of this year while in-cab applications are in final validation. These in-cab tools will help operators work more safely and efficiently. The full capabilities of Cat AI Assistant will be showcased on the main stage at CES 2026.

Kamoa-Kakula smelter produces first copper anodes

Africa’s largest copper smelter reaches milestone output. (Image source: Ivanhoe Mines)

Ivanhoe Mines announced the production of the first copper anodes from its state-of-the-art 500,000-tonne-per-annum direct-to-blister smelter at Kamoa-Kakula

This milestone comes roughly five weeks after the smelter’s heat-up and one week after the first feed of concentrate, marking a defining moment for the project.

“The first production of copper anodes from our world-class smelter is a defining moment for Kamoa-Kakula… This achievement is the culmination of a US$1.1bn investment, 18 million man-hours of disciplined execution, and an outstanding health and safety record that reflects the professionalism and commitment of everyone involved.

“This facility will proudly deliver the highest-quality Congolese copper anodes to the international markets, setting a new global benchmark for scale, efficiency, and sustainability. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the extraordinary Kamoa Copper team, as well as our contractors and partners from across the world whose expertise, innovation, and teamwork made the design and delivery of this state-of-the-art facility possible. Together, we have built something exceptional that will serve global consumers for generations to come,” said Robert Friedland, founder and executive co-chairman of Ivanhoe Mines.

The smelter is now in ramp-up mode and is expected to achieve a steady-state annualised production of 500,000 tonnes of 99.7%-pure copper anodes, establishing it as the largest copper smelter in Africa. Copper production for 2026 is projected at 380,000–420,000 tonnes, with the midpoint of 400,000 tonnes representing roughly 80% of capacity.

Kamoa-Kakula’s management will prioritise processing concentrates from Phase 1, 2, and 3 concentrators through the on-site smelter, while any surplus will be toll-treated at the Lualaba Copper Smelter (LCS) near Kolwezi. The smelter heat-up, furnace commissioning, boiler, steam systems, acid circuit, and concentrate dryer were completed as scheduled, with the furnace reaching 1,250°C (2,282°F) for five days prior to the first concentrate feed.

The on-site inventory of copper concentrate currently totals approximately 37,000 tonnes and is expected to decline to around 17,000 tonnes during 2026 as the smelter ramps up, resulting in copper sales exceeding production by roughly 20,000 tonnes in H1 2026. This provides an opportunity to benefit from near-record-high copper prices.

Supporting uninterrupted operations, a 60 MW uninterruptible power supply (UPS) facility was installed, providing up to two hours of backup power against DRC grid fluctuations. Construction of a 60 MW on-site solar PV facility with battery storage is progressing, expected to become Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest solar-powered smelter supply, complementing the 180 MW diesel generator backup.

Kamoa-Kakula’s smelter also produced its first batch of by-product sulphuric acid, with annual production expected up to 700,000 tonnes, meeting strong local demand following Zambia’s acid export ban. Spot prices in Kolwezi have recently reached US$700 per tonne, with the first deliveries scheduled soon.

The smelter project maintained industry-leading health and safety standards, recording only one lost time injury over 18 million man-hours, resulting in a lost-time injury frequency rate of 0.054 per million hours. The previous Phase 3 concentrator project, completed in mid-2024, recorded zero LTIs.

Meanwhile, Stage Two dewatering of the Kakula Mine has been completed, with selective mining underway in the eastern section. Stage Three dewatering, involving the rehabilitation and recommissioning of water-damaged underground pump stations, will commence once access becomes available.

Africa Turbo expands industrial parts platform

Meta Global Vision expands Africa Turbo to streamline automotive and industrial parts supply for mining operators. (Image source: Meta Global Vision Holdings LLC)

Meta Global Vision Holdings LLC has reported ongoing development and expansion of Africa Turbo, its automotive and industrial parts platform designed to support mining companies, fleet operators, and automotive repair businesses across African markets

Africa Turbo focuses on the supply of automotive components, heavy-duty engine parts, and tyres, targeting organisations that depend on reliable access to equipment parts to sustain day-to-day operations. The platform is structured to consolidate sourcing from international suppliers, providing customers with a single access point to a broad range of components used across industrial and mobility applications.

The company highlighted that mining operators and repair facilities in many African markets continue to contend with fragmented supply chains, uneven product availability, and lengthy procurement cycles. Africa Turbo was developed to help mitigate these challenges by coordinating supplier engagement and logistics through a centralised platform.

According to Meta Global Vision Holdings LLC, Africa Turbo collaborates with established suppliers to support consistent quality standards and dependable supply for industrial customers operating under varied regional and environmental conditions. The platform is intended to serve both large-scale industrial operations and independent repair workshops seeking predictable access to parts.

“Africa Turbo was developed to respond to recurring supply challenges faced by industrial and automotive operators across the continent,” said Wendtoin Arsene Tonde, Marketing Director at Meta Global Vision Holdings LLC. “The platform focuses on improving access and coordination rather than introducing new consumer-facing products.”

Meta Global Vision Holdings LLC added that Africa Turbo forms part of its wider portfolio of infrastructure-focused platforms. The company continues to assess regional demand and potential operational partnerships as the platform evolves.

Further announcements on platform features and regional reach are expected as Africa Turbo continues to expand its operations.

Giant mining trucks head for Guinea

XCMG’s XDE260 mining trucks head for Guinea. (Image source: XCMG)

China’s XCMG Machinery has dispatched the shipment of its flagship mining trucks for use on Guinea’s giant Simandou iron ore project in West Africa

The XCMG XDE260 mining trucks are destined for the SimFer mine, part of the Simandou mega project, which is being developed by an international consortium.

SimFer S.A. is a joint venture between Rio Tinto, CIOH (a Chinalco-led consortium), and the government of Guinea.

In a statement, XCMG announced that the truucks were produced at its “intelligent manufacturing base” in China and mark a significant milestone, “showcasing Chinese manufacturing excellence at the world's largest untapped high-grade iron ore reserve.”

It added: “This shipment signifies that XCMG and Rio Tinto are working together more closely than ever, deepening their collaboration in the field of high-end mining equipment.”

The delivery is part of a major equipment supply contract valued at nearly RMB 800mn (approximately US$114mn), signed in 2024, that includes the provision of large-capacity mining trucks, motor graders, and select auxiliary equipment.

“This collaboration is a profound partnership based on our shared commitment to sustainable development,” said Yang Dongsheng, chairman of XCMG.

“XCMG has always been driven by technological innovation, striving to provide global clients with smarter, more environmentally friendly integrated solutions.”

The new XDE260 mining trucks — flagship models engineered specifically for West Africa's operating conditions — are designed to maximise productivity while minimising environmental impact, he added.

XCMG has deployed a dedicated service team of over 100 specialists to West Africa to offer localised, round-the-clock technical support for optimal operational efficiency.

A multinational expert team from China, Guinea, and Australia is also benchmarking the equipment against global best practices in mining operations, ensuring the Simandou mine achieves its planned production capacity efficiently and sustainably throughout its lifecycle.

XCMG’s local entity is also providing vocational education and professional training to locals.

“Together, we aim to fullfil our shared social responsibilities and empower local employees by enhancing their skills and fostering career development,” said a spokesperson for XCMG Simandou Company.

In its statement, XCMG said that it planned to continue deepening its involvement in Africa and other global markets to showcase its technology, machinery and further its commitment to nurturing the communities in which it operates.

“From exporting high-end mining machinery to integrating China’s intelligent manufacturing capabilities with international standards, XCMG is accelerating its evolution — from global expansion to sustainable market leadership,” the statement read.

“Moving forward, XCMG will remain innovation-driven and customer-focused, providing robust support for the mining industry's low-carbon transition and helping shape a more sustainable future for global resources.”

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