Mining

Hitachi’s hybrid dump truck demo at SA mine

Hitachi powering change in South Africa's mines. (Image source: Hitachi)

Hitachi Construction Machinery and Hitachi Industrial Products have announced plans for a hybrid dump truck demonstration test project at a South African mining site, as part of an initiative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)

The project was selected on 2nd November for inclusion in UNIDO’s industrial cooperation in the Global South through technology transfer from Japan programme.

Hitachi cites reductions in fuel costs and CO2 emissions that together will contribute to the development of the countries of the Global South through Japanese technology.

The hybrid dump truck will be working at an undisclosed mine site in South Africa’s Limpopo Province.

UNIDO is conducting the programme to promote technological innovation, strengthen supply chains and establish industrial infrastructure in Global South countries by supporting Japanese firms in conducting large-scale demonstrations, funded by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

“Numerous pieces of mining machinery operate at mining sites, and most are powered by diesel engines,” the Hitachi companies said in a media statement.

“Diesel fuel is the primary cost factor in mine operations, and reducing fuel consumption has been a challenge for many years.”

In addition, it added, the CO2 emissions generated by dump trucks account for more than 50% of the total emissions from mining machinery in operation at mines in many cases, which makes reducing environmental impact an “urgent issue”.

To address these challenges, the project will manufacture a hybrid dump truck for demonstration testing based on an electrically driven EH4000AC-3 rigid dump truck that uses a diesel engine as its power source.

The demonstration truck will be equipped with an AC drive system manufactured by Hitachi Industrial Products, which operates using electricity generated by a diesel engine and electricity recovered through regenerative braking and stored in onboard batteries.

As part of the implementation, Hitachi Construction Machinery will provide training on the repair and maintenance of hybrid dump trucks to service personnel in South Africa, as well as locally transfer knowledge and conduct human resource development.

“Compared to the existing EH4000AC-3, the demonstration test dump truck reduces both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 10% or more, which helps reduce lifecycle costs and the environmental impact in mining operations,” the Hitachi statement added.

“In addition, the use of HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) may theoretically reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%, which has the technical potential to accelerate decarbonisation efforts.”

Furthermore, it added, the ability to retrofit existing dump trucks into hybrid dump trucks will enable mining companies to effectively utilise the assets that they own and support the realisation of sustainable operations.

Hitachi Construction Machinery has also promoted the joint development and demonstration testing of full battery dump trucks to realise net zero emissions at mining sites.

“Hitachi Industrial Products will contribute to improving environmental performance — such as better vehicle fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions — by adding service offerings that utilise battery power for AC drive systems in the existing installed base,” the company added.

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Ethiopia’s Tulu Kapi gold mine finance deal agreed

Construction of road to Tulu Kapi in 2025. (Image source: KEFI)

London-listed KEFI has closed a US$240mn debt financing to proceed with a pipeline of projects in Ethiopia, including the Tulu Kapi gold mine, as well as to pursue additional ventures in Saudi Arabia

The Tulu Kapi gold mine project will tap into power supplies from the recently-inaugurated Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest hydro-electric scheme in Africa.

The Ethiopian Electric Power Company is currently connecting the mine to the mains grid generation facilities at the dam, KEFI said in an update, which will include a new 132kV overhead power line via a substation at Gimbi town.

The maximum demand for the Tulu Kapi plant is estimated to be 15 MW, with a normal operating demand of approximately 10 MW.

An emergency diesel power plant will also be installed to provide backup power to start up and run the operation as insurance in case of any unexpected failure to deliver by EEPCO, according to KEFI, although it added that it does not expect to have to use the standby facility.

In a statement, the company noted that Tulu Kapi is the closest industrial-scale electricity consumer of the GERD, which it said was “excellent for reliability of low-cost green energy”.

The Tulu Kapi gold deposit was first discovered and mined on a small scale by an Italian consortium back in the 1930s.

KEFI executive chairman, Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, said the new debt offering has triggered further activity at the site ahead of full project development.

“With the gold price at a record high, this is the perfect time to be launching Tulu Kapi,” he said.

Mining contractors have been at site planning for operations in 2027, with the bulk earthworks — for an airstrip and other initial works — set to commence in early 2026 after the government has resettled households in the area.

The process plant contractor has also been at the site planning security and logistics for the delivery of components, which are currently being procured.

The US$240mn loan agreement was signed with the Africa Finance Corporation and the Trade and Development Bank.

KEFI has previously stated that the full development of the mine could be in the region of US$340mn, which means it must still raise a further US$100mn although some this is expected to come from a mix of equity, as well as support from the Ethiopian government.

During construction at Tulu Kapi, the company also hopes to enhance its portfolio of gold and critical material licences and applications elsewhere in Ethiopia, as well as various projects in Saudi Arabia, across the Red Sea.

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Ethiopia inaugurates GERD hydro dam

Nyanza Light Metals titanium processing funding

piling_works_Nyanza_Light_Metals_South_Africa

Site geotechnical studies and piling works at Nyanza Light Metals in South Africa. (Image source: Nyanza Light Metals)

South Africa-based Nyanza Light Metals Pty Ltd (Nyanza) is to get US$75mn in funding from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) for the development, construction and operation of an 80,000-tonnes-per-year titanium dioxide pigment manufacturing plant and supporting infrastructure within the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone

The aim is to boost industrialisation in Africa through local value addition to the continent’s abundant titanium mineral resources.

Titanium dioxide is a crucial pigment used across numerous industries, including paints and coatings, food processing, cosmetics and medical applications.

Manufacturers both in South Africa and across the rest of the region rely almost entirely on costly imports.

Nyanza’s project is intended to change this by producing titanium dioxide locally, contributing to import substitution and positioning Africa within the global titanium dioxide value chain.

“AfDB’s approval marks a pivotal moment, not just for Nyanza, but for Africa’s industrial future,” said Nyanza president and CEO, Donovan Chimhandamba.

“This endorsement affirms our mission to lead mineral beneficiation and positions Nyanza as a driver of inclusive industrialisation.”

Africa has long exported raw minerals, only to import back high-value finished products made from those same resources, at a premium, according to Chimhandamba.

“This cycle has constrained industrial growth and limited the continent’s ability to fully benefit from its natural wealth. With AfDB’s support, we are changing that by building a world-class titanium beneficiation complex to process African minerals locally for global markets.”

The bank’s contribution forms part of a syndicated funding package arranged by the Africa Finance Corporation and the African Export-Import Bank, serving as Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners.

The AfDB’s support also includes US$25mn from the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF), a co-financing initiative between the AfDB and the People’s Bank of China.

A key focus of the Bank’s funding is job creation: the Nyanza project is expected to generate more than 2,400 domestic jobs during construction, around 30% of which will be reserved for women and 30% for youth, as part of efforts to reduce unemployment in South Africa.

“This investment reflects the African Development Bank's commitment to driving Africa’s industrial transformation and changing Africa’s narrative from a continent that is heavily dependent on raw material exports to one that is globally recognized as a prominent player in domestic value-addition to its natural resources,” said Solomon Quaynor, AfDB’s vice president for private sector, infrastructure and industrialisation.

“By supporting Nyanza to invest in infrastructure and local natural resources beneficiation, we are contributing to changing Africa’s old paradigm of exporting low-value raw materials while relying heavily on importing finished products; we are building an industrial economy that will create inclusive opportunities for millions of people across the continent.”

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Sandvik accelerates mining digital transformation programme

Sandvik unveils DataDrive’31, a six-year, €80 million programme to boost mining productivity, safety, and sustainability globally. (Image source: Sandvik)

Sandvik has unveiled DataDrive’31, an ambitious technology programme designed to accelerate the digital transformation of the mining sector through data-driven innovation

The six-year initiative carries a total budget of EUR 80 million (approx. US$87.2mn). Business Finland has approved EUR 16 million (approx. US$17.4mn) in R&D funding for the first three-year phase, with the potential to allocate an additional EUR 16 million (approx. US$17.4mn) for the second phase. The remainder will be directly financed by Sandvik, reflecting its strong commitment to technological advancement and the digitalisation of mining operations. A mid-term review will take place after three years to assess progress before moving into the next stage.

DataDrive’31 aims to develop innovative data-based technologies and solutions that improve productivity, safety, and sustainability across the entire mining value chain. Its key goals include:

Creating new services and products by utilising and commercialising data.
Integrating data-driven systems into equipment, operations, and aftermarket services to deliver comprehensive digital solutions.
Developing predictive and prescriptive operating environments that foster smarter, safer, and more sustainable mining practices.

“DataDrive’31 is at the forefront of the technological transformation of the mining industry,” said Mats Eriksson, president, mining at Sandvik. “Business Finland’s support accelerates our planned R&D work in key technology areas and strengthens our competitiveness in global markets. The strong technological expertise of Sandvik in Finland forms the foundation for this investment. DataDrive’31 is a key driver for the growth of our mining business and demonstrates our commitment to leading the industry’s data-driven future.”

Sandvik has a long-standing tradition of significant investments in R&D, digitalisation, automation, and electrification. Building on this foundation, DataDrive’31 reinforces Sandvik’s position as a leader in mining technology, ensuring it continues to deliver innovative, future-ready solutions for customers worldwide while driving sustained industry leadership.

Tharisa Mine advances phased underground mining transition

Tharisa Mine begins phased underground expansion to enhance efficiency

Tharisa, dual-listed on the Johannesburg and London stock exchanges, is transitioning the Tharisa Mine from a large-scale open pit to underground mining

This natural progression will sustainably access the mine’s multigenerational mineral resource base while enhancing operational efficiency, environmental stewardship, and long-term value creation.

The mine’s mineral reserves extend beyond the open pit shell, presenting a high-confidence, low-geological-risk opportunity to sustain operations for over 50 years. Existing processing facilities have a capacity of 5.6 Mtpa of run-of-mine (ROM), ensuring both production scalability and operational flexibility. Open pit operations are scheduled to be depleted by FY2035.

From 2031, underground ore from the West Mine (Apollo Complex) and East Mine (Orion Complex) will supplement production. Both complexes, developed sequentially, are designed to mine 255 ktpm each at steady state, combining for 510 ktpm, capped by plant feed capacity.

This underground expansion will maintain current PGM and chrome concentrate output, with opportunities for growth through smarter mining and reduced dilution. The project will operate under a mining contractor model, with transitional capital of US$547 million over ten years and peak funding of US$173 million, financed via internal cash and external funding lines.

Phoevos Pouroulis, CEO of Tharisa, said: “The underground project is the natural progression for our operations and has been established to increase life-of-mine development, enhance operational efficiencies, while maintaining our world-class standards of health, safety, environmental stewardship, and further enhancing our track record of long-term value creation.”

He added: “Our shallow ore body enables on-reef mechanised development, delivering cleaner ROM and significantly reducing waste, capital intensity, and environmental impact. The phased approach to portal development enables early access to reef with the bord-and-pillar design supporting safe, cost-effective ramp-up and long-term operational efficiency. As we continue to innovate with purpose, we are setting the benchmark for multiple generations to come.”

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