Perenti and JV partner secure five-year underground mining deal with Endeavour Mining in Burkina Faso

Perenti, through its joint venture subsidiary Underground Mining Services Burkina Faso SARL, has secured a new five-year underground mining contract valued at A$1.1 billion (approx. US$730mn)

The contract covers expanded operations at the Siou and Wona deposits within the Mana gold mining complex, operated by SEMAFO Burkina Faso S.A., a subsidiary of Endeavour Mining plc.

Located in Burkina Faso’s highly prospective Houndé Greenstone Belt, the Mana complex includes high-grade underground operations that have been supported by African Underground Mining Services Burkina Faso SARL (AUMS) since 2018. The latest contract marks a significant expansion of Perenti’s existing scope and will be executed through Underground Mining Services (UMS), a joint venture between Perenti and local partner Dynamic Mining Supply SARL.

Under the new agreement, Perenti will provide a full suite of underground development, production, and mining support services. Operations are scheduled to commence on 1 June 2025, with capital requirements for FY25 already factored into Perenti’s guidance.

Commenting on the development, Perenti managing director and CEO, Mark Norwell, highlighted, “We are pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with Endeavour through this contract. It aligns with our strategic goals for FY25 and sets a solid foundation for growth into FY26 and beyond.”

Gabrielle Iwanow, president of contract mining at Perenti, added, “This contract underscores the strength of our partnership with Endeavour and reflects the value we continue to deliver. Working alongside our Burkinabe JV partner, Dynamic Mining Supply, we are committed to supporting local procurement, skills development, and job creation in Burkina Faso.”

AFC funds Mota-Engil Africa’s gold mining expansion in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali. (Image source: Africa Finance Corporation)

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a leading provider of infrastructure solutions across the continent, has extended a €100 million (approx. US$113mn) five-year facility to Mota-Engil Africa (MEA), the regional subsidiary of the global construction powerhouse Mota-Engil Group

This facility will be used to acquire equipment, inventories, and develop site infrastructure for three new gold mining projects in Côte d’Ivoire and Mali.

The funding positions MEA to expand its operations in West Africa’s fast-growing gold sector – a vital contributor to local employment, foreign exchange inflows, and export revenue. The new contracts are expected to significantly enhance the mining landscape in both countries, which remain rich in untapped mineral reserves.

This deal marks a continuation of AFC’s long-standing partnership with Mota-Engil Africa, established in 2016. AFC has previously advised on several key infrastructure projects involving MEA, including Rwanda’s Bugesera International Airport, the US$2bn Kano-Maradi rail line in Nigeria, and Angola’s 1,289 km Lobito Corridor project, where AFC serves as financial adviser to the Lobito Atlantic Railway consortium of MEA, Trafigura, and Vecturis SA.

 "This transaction underscores the strength of our decade-long relationship with Mota-Engil Africa and our shared vision to deliver sustainable economic transformation across Africa, commented Samaila Zubairu, president & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation. "Gold continues to be a vital economic driver for many African nations, and through this investment, AFC is helping to unlock long-term value—supporting export earnings, job creation, and broader industrial development of the region."

Manuel Mota, chairman of Mota-Engil Africa, stated, "Today marks a significant milestone for Mota-Engil Africa. We are proud to announce the successful closing of financing for three new mining projects, in partnership with Africa Finance Corporation. This achievement reflects not only the strength of our project portfolio but also the confidence that premier institutions like AFC place in our strategy, our capabilities, and our people."

The investment is part of AFC’s broader effort to grow its involvement in contractor financing – addressing both public and private infrastructure demands. This includes support for Angola’s 186 Metallic Bridges project by Conduril Engenharia S.A., where AFC serves as commercial financier. AFC remains committed to working closely with contractors to bridge Africa’s infrastructure gap while advancing industrialisation, sustainable development, and economic resilience continent-wide.

Komatsu debuts autonomous electric truck using dynamic trolley power. (Image source: Komatsu)

Komatsu has reached a milestone in autonomous mining, becoming the first in the industry to successfully operate a power agnostic electric drive haul truck while autonomously connected to a dynamic trolley line

The trolley assist system, developed to lower carbon emissions and extend engine life, supplies electric power to trucks while they ascend uphill. This targeted delivery of energy increases efficiency and enables faster travel compared to conventional diesel trucks. By combining this system with Komatsu’s FrontRunner Autonomous Haulage System, the company unlocks new levels of fuel efficiency and productivity for mining operations.

This marks the first time in mining history that power has been transferred to a moving, driverless haul truck using a trolley system—underscoring Komatsu’s strategy to merge electrification with automation to support cleaner, more efficient mining.

“This milestone demonstrates the strength of our commitment to improving our integrated technology strategy, combining autonomous haulage with dynamic energy transfer and trolley capabilities,” said Martin Cavassa, director, global business development autonomous systems, Komatsu. “The ability to seamlessly transfer power to a moving truck operating without a driver is a pivotal achievement in our roadmap toward decarbonising mining operations and provides the pathway for managing battery operated trucks autonomously.”

Komatsu’s FrontRunner system, launched in 2008, was the world’s first commercial autonomous haulage application. Today, over 875 autonomous trucks operate globally under the FrontRunner system, having moved more than 10 billion metric tons of material to date. The platform is designed for ultra-class vehicles such as the 980E, which has a payload capacity of 363 metric tons.

This advancement reaffirms Komatsu’s commitment to offering integrated solutions that help customers meet productivity goals, lower ownership costs, and responsibly meet the rising global demand for minerals.

Moore’s strategies prove Haul Track transforms efficient, sustainable mining operations. (Image source: Rokbak)

In the high-pressure world of mining, quarrying, and construction, fuel efficiency is a make-or-break factor for both profitability and environmental impact.

Garry Moore, a veteran customer support manager at Rokbak, a Scottish manufacturer of articulated dump trucks (ADTs), has spent nearly 20 years refining strategies to optimise heavy equipment performance.

Here, Moore unveils seven expert tips for harnessing Rokbak’s Haul Track telematics system to slash fuel expenses, curb carbon emissions, and boost site productivity.

Here are seven ways to achieve it

1. Keep engines in top shape for fuel savings

A neglected engine burns more fuel and pumps out excess emissions. Haul Track’s real-time diagnostics alert managers to issues like blocked filters or suboptimal fuel systems, enabling quick fixes. By acting on these email notifications, operators ensure ADTs run lean, saving fuel and reducing environmental harm.

2. Spot and fix delays with idling insights

Trucks idling in queues waste fuel and stall progress. Using Haul Track’s GPS and idle-time tracking, managers can identify bottlenecks where ADTs wait for loaders. Moore suggests rebalancing fleet setups—adjusting loader or hauler sizes—to keep operations moving, cutting fuel use and CO₂ output while ramping up efficiency.

3. Maximise loads with precision weighing

Half-empty trucks force extra trips, inflating fuel costs and equipment wear. Rokbak’s On-Board Weigh, synced with Haul Track, provides live load data, empowering operators to fill trucks to capacity every time. This approach boosts output, conserves fuel, and keeps production targets on track.

4. Redesign sites for shorter, smarter routes

Inefficient haul roads and traffic snarls sap fuel economy. Haul Track’s movement tracking, combined with fuel and idle reports, works across all equipment brands to highlight trouble spots. By streamlining routes and easing congestion, managers can trim fuel bills, lower emissions, and extend machine life.

5. Coach operators for smoother driving

Aggressive driving habits, like rapid acceleration or sudden stops, can inflate fuel consumption. Haul Track’s fuel usage comparisons reveal when specific trucks burn more than peers on similar tasks. Moore advocates using these insights for constructive training, helping drivers adopt smoother techniques to save fuel.

6. Protect tyres, save fuel

Underinflated tyres increase drag, forcing engines to work harder and wear out faster. Haul Track’s real-time tyre pressure monitoring catches issues early, allowing quick corrections. Proper inflation optimises fuel use, prolongs tyre durability, and enhances site safety.

7. Drive progress with clear performance goals

Haul Track’s robust data lets managers set fuel efficiency targets and monitor results over time. By analyzing trends and sharing feedback, teams stay motivated to improve. This data-driven approach fosters smarter decisions and a culture of continuous progress.

Moore’s strategies show that Haul Track is more than a data tool. It is a  game-changer for cost-conscious, eco-aware operations. With these seven tactics, site leaders and operators can transform insights into action, driving down costs and emissions while keeping their sites running at peak performance.

Also read: HMD and Rokbak flexible financing solutions making an impact in West Africa