Liebherr team showcases innovation and sustainability at Mining Indaba 2025. (Image source: Liebherr)

At Mining Indaba, African Review of Business and Technology met Bernd Giebels, head of sales for Africa and the Middle East at Liebherr-Export AG, to discover how the brand stays ahead of the pack in the mining, construction, and infrastructure sectors

African Review(AR): What were you keen to highlight at Mining Indaba 2025?

Bernd Giebels(BG): Liebherr Mining’s advanced technology portfolio, IoMine, which helps customers transition to integrated operations and enhances decision-making, safety and sustainability while reducing costs.Using real-time data monitoring, visualisation tools and remote diagnostics, it improves asset availability, efficiency, and productivity by better anticipating maintenance needs. IoMine helps to enhance fleet capabilities, simplify operations, foster autonomy, and improve fleet management for higher profitability and smarter energy use.

AR: What did people want to talk to you about at the event?

BG: The overarching theme of the exhibition — and the main proposition of all exhibitors — was to offer technologies and solutions that could transform the mining industry, from automation to inclusion and governance, with an overall focus on driving the responsible development of the industry and benefitting Africa.

AR: What other trends are you seeing right now?

BG: There is a clear trend towards automatisation, data analysis and technology to improve safety and maintenance practices.

AR: What would you say is the Liebherr advantage in Africa?

BG: In short, I would say technological excellence; durability and reliability; comprehensive product range; strong local presence; and a customer-centric approach. These factors collectively give us a competitive edge in Africa, making us a preferred choice for many companies in the region.

AR: How does a recent project in Angola — with construction group Casais and its new Liebherr LTM 1050-3.1 crane — illustrate your success in Africa?

BG: The collaboration with Casais underscores Liebherr’s ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with key players in Africa’s construction sector. This relationship is built on trust and the proven performance of Liebherr’s equipment ensures we can provide support and maintenance to local clients and partners. This is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and fostering long-term relationships.

The LTM 1050-3.1 crane is known for its robust design and reliability. Its ability to carry most of its ballast on public roads and quick readiness make it a versatile and durable choice. A reliable equipment that can withstand the challenging conditions often found in African construction sites. The crane features advanced technologies such as ECO drive and ECO Mode, which enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. This aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainable practices in the industry.

AR: Any new products or developments we should know about?

BG: INTUSI concept: This innovative, adaptive operating system integrates IoT capabilities, enhancing the user experience and operational efficiency of Liebherr’s construction and material-handling machines.

S1 vision: An innovative haulage concept that focuses on the core components necessary for material movement, highlighting Liebherr's forward-thinking approach to equipment for a range of applications.

With our strategic focus on sustainability, we also continue to prioritise environmentally friendly solutions, including electric and hybrid machinery, to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices.

AR: You will also be at Bauma in April. What can we expect from you there?

BG: At Bauma 2025, we will focus on the theme ‘Hands on the Future’, emphasizing our proactive approach to addressing tomorrow’s challenges today. In addition, every three years, we take this opportunity at Bauma to present our latest product launches and innovations to our distributors, and also to get closer to them. It is a fantastic opportunity for our distributors from all over the world to meet at this trade fair.

AR: What is Liebherr’s plan to stay at the forefront of Africa’s mining, construction, and infrastructure sectors?

BG: Liebherr invests heavily in research and development to stay ahead of technological advancements. We continuously develop new products and improve existing ones to meet the industry’s evolving needs. We are committed to sustainability, offering products that reduce carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly practices. Our electric and hybrid equipment, as well as partnerships for carbon-neutral solutions, are key examples.

Our approach is 100% Customer-centric and by maintaining strong relationships with customers and understanding their needs, Liebherr can tailor solutions that enhance productivity and efficiency. Our local presence and robust support network ensure excellent service and maintenance. Liebherr collaborates with industry partners, governments, and research institutions to drive innovation and address industry challenges. These partnerships help us stay at the forefront of technology and best practices.

ATR: Any closing remarks?

BG: Liebherr is the supplier of your choice. We are a brand committed to progress, leaders with years of experience behind us, committed to quality and innovation.

Allied Gold is working to raise output from its African mines in 2025. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Allied Gold is looking to lift production significantly in the coming year from its portfolio of gold mines across Africa

The Canadian gold miner operates a portfolio of producing assets and development projects in Africa located in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Ethiopia.

In an outlook statement, the company reported that its mines are expected to produce between 375,000 and 400,000 gold ounces in 2025, a significant increase on 2024.

The increase is in keeping with a large programme of work at each of its mines, which include Sadiola in Mali, a long-established gold producer.

Here, the first phase of expansion works commenced in Q4 2024 and is advancing on schedule and on budget, with earthworks and structural fill, along with engineering, procurement and mobilisation for mechanical contractors progressing well, Allied Gold reported.
 
“The first phase of plant expansion involves installing additional crushing and grinding capacity in one of Sadiola's processing lines, which will be dedicated to processing fresh ore. These modifications will allow Sadiola to treat up to 60% of fresh rock at a rate of up to 5.7 Mt/y in the modified process plant starting the fourth quarter of 2025,” it stated.

With the completion of plant modifications in the first phase, Sadiola is expected to produce between 200,000 and 230,000 ounces of gold per year in the medium term, ahead of the next phase of expansion.

This second phase expansion, expected to be completed in late 2028, will target a production level of 400,000 gold ounces per annum over the first four years and 300,000 gold ounces per annum over the life of the mine.

In Ethiopia, at its Kurmuk mine, development works are also well underway, including main camp construction, along with engineering and procurement activities.

Mining activities here are planned to start in the latter part of Q1 2025 with capital spending of US$280mn for the full year, and the first gold anticipated in the first half of 2026.

Kurmuk is expected to deliver 175,000 gold ounces for the partial year of production in 2026, an average production level of approximately 290,000 gold ounces per annum over the first four years and 240,000 gold ounces per annum over the life of the mine.

In Côte d’Ivoire, Allied Gold is also working up production from its Bonikro and Agbaou mine sites.

Bonikro is expected to achieve stable gold production during the outlook period, with a goal of averaging 100,000 ounces annually.

At Agbaou, gold production is expected to remain consistent each year throughout the outlook period, not falling below 87,000 ounces annually, Allied Gold reported.

Read more: Mali agrees new terms with Canadian gold miner Robex

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Metso lands new, undisclosed contract in Africa (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Metso has won an order to provide repairs and upgrades for a bucket-wheel stacker reclaimer at an undisclosed stockyard operations site in Africa

The scope of delivery includes upgrades and modernisations of the mechanical, structural and electrical components to enhance the customer’s operational efficiency and reliability.  

“This order highlights our capability to offer comprehensive services in bulk material handling and to deliver tailored solutions as a trusted OEM partner,” said Scott Pringle, director, service technical support, Africa Metso.

“The customer not only benefits from maximised reliability but also improved safety. Metso’s parts are designed to require less maintenance, aiming for a sustainable return on investment.”

The value of the order was not disclosed, nor the customer name, nor the country or location.

Metso has a long track record serving Africa’s mining industry and, in January this year, inaugurated its new screen centre in Germiston, Johannesburg, South Africa.

In December 2024, it also secured a contract with Montage Gold for the delivery of key minerals processing equipment for the Koné Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, a deal worth over US$50mn.

This project includes delivery of a large dual-pinion premier grinding mill with an installed power of 22MW and an HRC 2400e high-pressure grinding roll (HPGR), which combines energy-efficiency and high throughput while reducing operational costs.

Danilo Caserta, product manager, stockyard machines at Metso, said the company’s extensive experience as a stockyard equipment supplier enables it to extend stacker and reclaimer service life.

“Metso has combined the best features from our industry-leading legacy brands with modern technology to bring innovative and reliable solutions,” said Caserta, following the latest undisclosed contract.

“Through the use of advanced engineering tools, we integrate technical and machine know-how with high-quality components and service to safeguard customers’ machines and maximize equipment life.”

Caserta added that Metso’s expert teams can assess and perform engineering services and execute highly complex projects.

Headquartered in Finland, the company is engaged in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries in Africa and globally.

Metso Corporation is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki with close to 17,000 employees in around 50 countries and sales of about US$5bn in 2024.

Read more: Metso unveils Johannesburg screen centre

Mali is Africa's second-biggest gold producer (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Canadian mining group Robex has signed a new agreement with Mali to operate its Nampala gold mine

The company has been operating the mine since 2017, but the new agreement reflects changes to the West African country’s mining code. The new rules compel international firms to pay higher taxes and also to hand over bigger shares in assets to the state, moves which have ruffled feathers among foreign investors.

Mali is Africa’s second biggest gold producer.

In a statement, Robex managing director Matthew Wilcox said that he was grateful for getting the new deal over the line.

“I would like to thank their excellencies, the Minister of Mines, the Minister of Economy and Finance and all the parties involved for constructive discussions over the past few months, and we look forward to working alongside the government,” he said.

However, last September, the company had indicated that it was ready to sells its Nampala asset but had not received any acceptable offers.

Mali's Council of Ministers also released a statement this week stating that the company was now looking to produce 1.4 tons of gold per year for a period of eight years.

“Geological research carried out by the company has identified a deposit with mineral reserves estimated at 17,351,000 tons with a gold content of 0.70 grams per ton,” it stated. The statement added that the government had signed a memorandum of understanding with the company in September that allowed Mali to increase its stakeholding in the Nampala project, entitling the state to priority dividends.

The Nampala mine in southern Mali is approximately 300 km south of the capital, Bamako. The open-pit mine uses conventional surface mining techniques and process to recover gold. The mine is excavated using a conventional truck and shovel operation.

The widest equipment used by the contractors is a Caterpillar 773B haul truck, matched with a 385 hydraulic excavator.

Nampala first reached commercial production in January 2017, with output rising rapidly on the back of exploration work, eventually hitting peak production at 8047tpd in mid 2022.

But other mining groups, such as Barrick Gold, have yet to reach a successful resolution with the Mali regime following the change in rules. In a 12 February statement, the company stated that “ongoing issues in Mali remain an investor concern” and acknowledged that this had dragged on share prices. Barrick’s chief executive Mark Bristow told Reuters in an interview that the company still hopes to restart operations at its shuttered Loulo-Gounkoto mine as soon as local authorities allow it to resume gold shipments.

Barrick Gold is the largest single investor in Mali’s gold mining sector.

 Read more: Barrick's commitment to Mali's mining sector