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EDITORIAL
Head of Editorial: Jack Salter jack.salter@outpb.com
Deputy Head of Editorial: Lucy Pilgrim lucy.pilgrim@outpb.com
Orica’s i-kon™ III, the most sophisticated electronic blasting system (EBS) on the market, foregrounds this issue’s front cover.
This year, Orica has celebrated 25 years of EBS since the launch of the company’s first i-kon™ system in 2000, marking a quarter of a century of innovation, reliability, and customer-driven advancement in blasting technology for the company.
The evolution from i-kon™ continues with the launch of EBS Neo, Orica’s new range of fully lead-free electronic detonators.
“This is a journey that started many years ago; we needed to develop different alternatives to eliminate lead from the whole production chain, and we are now seeing increasing adoption of lead-free detonators,” affirms Diego Vallim, Vice President of Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Since our previous interview earlier in the year, the company has also experienced increasing interest in its Orica Digital Solutions business.
“Our digital portfolio is designed to optimise the entire process flow of mining and infrastructure operations,” Laurence Goodacre, Vice President of Africa, tells us.
We also revisit Swick Mining Services (Swick), a leading provider of drilling services across a wide spectrum of commodities.
It was a record-breaking FY25 for Swick, which included the reinforcement of its gold-focused operations and advancement of its technology portfolio with investment in DeepEX rigs.
“DeepEX enhances stope management, supports backfill planning, and improves safety through better void visualisation,” elaborates Robert Burnett, Business Development Manager.
FG Gold’s Baomahun Gold Project (Baomahun), meanwhile, is set to become Sierra Leone’s premier large-scale commercial gold mine.
The company continues to make great and steady strides in construction and development at Baomahun, which will be a top-tier asset and the leading gold mine in the country upon completion.
“With current trends in the market, Baomahun will put Sierra Leone on the map as a gold producer and strengthen the country’s position economically,” acclaims Nicola Asgill, Head of Corporate Development, Sustainability, and Investor Relations.
You’ll also have a blast reading the corporate stories of Rosh Pinah Zinc, Sierra Mineral Holdings I Limited, REMA TIP TOP, and many more in this edition.
We hope that you enjoy your read.
Jack Salter Head of Editorial, Outlook Publishing
EUROPE & MIDDLE EAST
Having a Blast
and sustainable solutions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
62 Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Company
Mining with Purpose: AMAK’s Contribution to Building Saudi Arabia’s Mining Future
Saudi Arabia’s largest fully publicly listed mining company
AFRICA
FG Gold
Striking Gold in Sierra Leone Developing the nation’s premier large-
with a century of expertise
Dominant Drilling Force
Around the mining sector in seven stories...
POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIP UNITES MINING TITANS
AFRICAN RAINBOW MINERALS (ARM) is considering a sizeable copper venture in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in partnership with US mining conglomerate Newmont Corporation.
ARM Founder and Chairman, Patrice Motsepe, recently stated that the partnership would require an investment of between USD$4-5 billion, adding that the organisation’s financials would be able to withstand the project with ZAR13 billion available for further investments.
The venture represents a part of ARM’s long-term strategy to align itself with global decarbonisation targets whilst simultaneously meeting growing demand for critical minerals.
SCANDIUM PROJECT SHOWS SHINING RESULTS
SUNRISE ENERGY METALS (Sunrise) has raised an impressive AUD$46 million towards its Syerston Scandium Project (Syerston) in New
South Wales, Australia.
According to its latest mineral resource estimate, Syerston has a global resource of 19,007 tonnes (t) at an average grade of 414 grams per t, making it the world’s largest and highest-grade resource of scandium.
The funds raised will be used for
NORTH AMERICA
CANADIAN MINING GIANT CONSIDERS SPLIT
A CORNERSTONE OF the Canadian mining landscape, Barrick Mining (Barrick) is weighing up the option to split into two separate entities, one focusing on North American operations and the other African and Asian.
The separation also puts Barrack’s African assets in the balance, as well as its Reko Diq mine in Pakistan.
Key operational challenges for Barrick in the last year have included the loss of a key gold mine in Mali, departure of CEO, Mark Bristow, after seven years, and growing costs of several of its North American assets.
However, Elliot Investment Management acquiring a substantial stake in the business – estimated to be at least USD$700 million – should help rectify many of the setbacks contributing to the potential decision to split.
preconstruction activities, including engineering works, connecting water and power to the Syerston site, infill drilling for its mine plan, and contracting equipment for the commencement of early works.
It’s hoped that the project will alleviate pressures in the current global supply of scandium, caused by trade disruptions.
CANADA GIVES ITS VERDICT ON THE
MINING INDUSTRY
THE FIRST SOCIAL Acceptability Barometer for Canada’s Mining Sector was recently published, an indication of the public’s perception of the industry.
The nationwide study shows strong support for mining, particularly in relation to critical minerals needed to further develop renewable energy technologies.
EUROPE & MIDDLE EAST
OMAN UPS ITS MINERAL GAME
IN AN EXCITING new venture, Minerals Development Oman (MDO) has signed a USD$530 million minerals concession agreement with JSW Group (JSW), an Indian multinational infrastructure conglomerate.
The agreement is for the mineral development of the south coast of Oman, where JSW will mine for gypsum and limestone at the Shuwaymiyah mine.
Chalked to begin production in the first half of 2029, the project is
Other key highlights show more than 75 percent of participants view mining as vital for job creation, regional development, and the energy transition, with 60 percent agreeing the benefits of the industry outweigh the costs.
The barometer is the product of a collaborative initiative between Transfert Environnement et Société and Voconiq and comes at a time when Canada is facing both growing demand for critical minerals and expectations around sustainable mining practices.
expected to produce 30 million t per annum and has a total capital expenditure of USD$419 million.
MDO hopes the development will attract major foreign investment, diversify Oman’s economy, and create a wealth of job opportunities for local populations.
ASIA PACIFIC
PRICE OF YTTRIUM SOARS
THE PRICE OF yttrium oxide (yttrium) has reached record levels, increasing by 1,500 percent in the last 12 months.
This is primarily due to the export curb China implemented on many of its rare earth elements –including yttrium – in April this year, making the element a much rarer commodity.
Indeed, priced at USD$8 per kilogramme (kg) at 2024’s close, the metal is now worth USD$126 per kg, having a major impact on its global supply and demand.
Yttrium is used in a vast range of applications, including medical technologies, aerospace equipment, ceramics, lasers, and semiconductors.
WORLD
EUROPEAN AND AUSTRALIAN MINING JOIN FORCES
THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT Bank (EIB) and Australian government have announced they will strengthen their cooperation as there is increasing global pressure to reduce reliance on Chinese exports.
However, obstacles to such independence include a lack of appropriate funding to secure robust supply chains of strategic minerals.
As such, the EIB is set to announce an extensive economic security package which will help the financing of critical mineral projects in Australia.
The joint statement builds upon existing partnerships across the value chain, with collaborations already present in exploration, extraction, processing, recycling, and innovation.
The New Return on Investment
Guy Battle, CEO of Social Value Portal and co-Chair of the Global Social Value Taskforce, outlines the key role social value
has to play in building tomorrow’s mining industry
Writer: Guy Battle, CEO, Social Value Portal and co-Chair, Global Social Value Taskforce
Demand in the mining sector has never been higher, yet scrutiny has never been sharper.
Companies know that trust and transparency are crucial, and the consequences of getting it wrong are escalating.
Part of that is the impact mining has on the people and places around their sites. Whether you call it social licence to operate (SLO), environmental, social, and governance (ESG), responsible mining, or community investment, none of these guidelines – though all vital – are sufficient on their own.
The industry needs something
more robust, more transparent, and, crucially, more measurable.
So, sorry to ‘throw in another thing to consider’, but this is where social value comes in. Not as a new cost centre, but as a strategic asset that will determine the future viability of major projects.
SOCIAL VALUE AND THE NEW ECONOMICS OF STAKEHOLDER TRUST
Trust has always been a currency in mining. Now, however, everyone from investors and governments to Indigenous communities, civil society, and global supply chains expect more
than good intentions – they expect positive impact that is backed up by evidence and proof.
Social value fills this gap by allowing firms to translate contributions into quantified, externally validated data that show ‘value added’.
Forget glossy narratives and corporate social responsibility (CSR) stories – these are all important, but what is needed is auditable metrics that stand up to scrutiny.
This matters because when communities do not see meaningful benefit, they will complain, projects will slow as regulators intervene, and development will get more expensive.
Conversely, where there is evidence of well-designed, measurable social impact, risk profiles improve.
This means jobs for local people, inclusive procurement, strengthened community capacity, investment in education or health, and contributions to biodiversity, climate resilience, and protection – the list goes on.
I want to be very clear – social value is not about just measurement and reporting; that’s old hat. Social value is active and backed up by a theory of change that is proven to deliver better societal outcomes to communities –locally, regionally, and nationally.
It’s about targeting interventions and programmes that create both community outcomes and long-term commercial resilience.
When you can quantify this impact, in local currency and in comparable global terms through the ‘international social value dollar’, you don’t need to rely on assertions – you can demonstrate return on investment (ROI) through a shared language.
FUTUREPROOFING PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE
Mining sits at the top of supply chains that power the world. And guess what – automotive manufacturers, battery producers, tech companies, and
infrastructure developers, to name just a few, are under major pressure to provide evidence of responsible sourcing.
If mining companies cannot prove their social contribution and value creation, then this means customers are exposed. That puts contracts, investment, and long-term partnerships at risk.
Procurement teams are already moving in this direction. They’re asking:
• What jobs are being created locally?
• How are suppliers in the region being supported?
• What training, safety, and wellbeing improvements have been delivered?
• How is cultural heritage being protected?
• How is the company contributing to environmental resilience?
• What is the long-term value you are creating for future generations?
Social value measurement answers these questions with structured, comparable indicators.
This provides a huge advantage to mining companies who can demonstrate responsible practices consistently, wherever they operate.
FROM FRAGMENTATION TO GLOBAL BENCHMARKING
Of course, many operators work incredibly hard to deliver meaningful impact.
But activities differ by region, reporting varies from site to site, and metrics are often incompatible with one another.
This makes it difficult, sometimes impossible, for leadership teams to articulate the full scale of their global contribution.
A common framework changes everything. When you can measure job creation in South America using the same methodology as skills
development in Africa, you create a unified story that is credible locally and comparable globally.
That is the advantage of the Global TOM System™, which turns scattered social impact into a single, auditable data stream, grounded in international and national evidence sources.
Its core themes of work (opportunity for all), economy (inclusive growth), community (empowering communities), and planet (safeguarding and restoring our world) mirror the areas of greatest relevance to mining – from inclusive employment to resilient supply chains.
This all ensures local relevance is visible, valued, and comparable across the business.
BALANCING THE NOW AND NEXT
Social value should not be misinterpreted as a short-term gain; the mining sector knows all too well that immediate benefit cannot justify long-term harm.
Jobs cannot override the destruction of cultural heritage, and infrastructure investment cannot compensate for irreplaceable ecological loss.
These are aspects of social value where humility and listening must come first, and where measurement should support rather than dictate the decisions we make.
Responsible mining must therefore embrace the now, ensuring today’s operations deliver tangible community benefit, and the longterm – ensuring the landscapes, cultures, and economies around mining projects are strengthened, not weakened, by what is left behind.
A well-designed social value framework helps decision makers balance both. It forces organisations to consider outcomes beyond immediate operational need and to embed legacy planning into their core business model.
This is essential to securing future growth, reputation, and regulatory confidence.
THE MESSAGE TO LEADERSHIP
The future of mining is being shaped in boardrooms, not at the rock face. Decisions made today will determine whether projects proceed, communities consent, investors stay committed, and supply chains remain resilient in future.
And the differentiator will be this: who can demonstrate their impact clearly, credibly, and consistently?
Social value provides that evidence, enabling not just individual success but a metric by which the sector as a whole can build trust and leave a lasting positive legacy.
ABOUT THE EXPERT
As co-Chair of the Global Social Value Taskforce and CEO of Social Value Portal, Guy Battle is focused on unlocking the social, environmental, and financial value that the business world has to offer, with the aim of improving communities and building a more resilient, sustainable society for all.
DRILLING DEEPER IN ANTIMONY
On track to become Australia’s largest producer of antimony through its flagship Hillgrove Project, Larvotto Resources plans to deliver a secure Western source of the mineral at scale. Ron Heeks, Managing Director, outlines recent developments and the integral role the company is set to play in the defence, electronics, renewables, and aerospace sectors
Writer: Lily Sawyer
Thanks to its significant reserves of critical minerals, Australia remains a leading global producer of some of the world’s most important resources.
In recent years, the sector has shifted from mining traditional commodities such as iron ore and coal to also include strategic minerals such as antimony, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth materials.
Government and investment support have further strengthened the mining sector, with Australia positioning itself as a secure, ethical supplier to Western markets who are seeking to move away from a reliance on foreign imports.
“Sustainability, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, as well as Indigenous engagement, are central to investor confidence,” outlines Ron Heeks, Managing Director of Larvotto Resources (Larvotto) – the mining company on track to become Australia’s largest producer of antimony.
“This is something Larvotto prides itself on – protecting cultural heritage
in our project area and building strong relationships with the local community,” he confirms.
Larvotto’s flagship project in New South Wales (NSW), Hillgrove, is the country’s largest antimony mineral resource and the eighth-largest globally, making it a strategically significant deposit.
Hillgrove offers dual exposure to gold and antimony and has geological parallels to the Fosterville and Costerfield mines – Australia’s highest-grade gold mines.
“The mine is set to produce 40,000 ounces (oz) of gold and 100,000 oz of gold equivalent, at an all-in sustaining cost of minus AUD$3,000 – meaning 40,000 oz of gold will be produced at AUD$9,000 Australian dollars per oz,” Heeks outlines.
When in production, 5,000 tonnes (t) of antimony will be generated by Larvotto annually, and the increasing demand for this metal, combined with a decreasing number of deposits, positions the company favourably in the global supply chain.
Underground at the Hillgrove Project, NSW, Australia
A definitive feasibility study (DFS) released in May 2025 delivered strong metrics for Larvotto, including an underground mining inventory of 3.5 million t at 320,000 to 535,000 t per annum over an eight year mine life, with the potential to expand to 20.
“The average life of mine currently sits at around 85,000 oz of gold equivalent per year. Using base gold and antimony costs, the DFS demonstrates our all-in sustaining costs of AUD$477 per oz and an expected payback period of only 26 months post first production,” he emphasises.
“IN AN INCREASINGLY VOLATILE GLOBAL LANDSCAPE, SOURCES SUCH AS LARVOTTO’S HILLGROVE PROJECT ARE NOW ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING STABILITY AND RESILIENCE”
– RON HEEKS, MANAGING DIRECTOR, LARVOTTO RESOURCES
Hillgrove’s first production is currently on track for Q2 2026.
A SECURE WESTERN SOURCE
In light of Larvotto’s aim of producing up to seven percent of worldwide antimony requirements, Heeks outlines the strategic implications of a local supply and how the company plans to deliver a secure Western source of the mineral at scale.
“Currently, global antimony supply is heavily concentrated in China which, in 2023, produced around 40,000 t – equivalent to 48 percent –of the global supply,” he highlights.
This kind of concentrated
contribution puts such supply chains at risk when it comes to geopolitical tension and disruption, with potential export restrictions threatening catastrophic results should almost half of the global supply be halted.
As such, a domestic Western source at the scale Hillgrove promises will help to de-risk supply chains for the defence, electronics, and renewable energy sectors, amongst others.
“Being a Western deposit, Hillgrove can feed markets outside of China, and countries that need access to antimony will have a significant independent supply,” Heeks outlines.
Larvotto’s ambition to contribute
Hillgrove Project, NSW, Australia
significantly to global antimony supply chains solidifies the project as a meaningful Western supply anchor, strengthening Australia’s position in the critical minerals ecosystem and improving negotiation leverage with international players.
With Hillgrove already fully funded through bonds and equity, Larvotto is slated to begin producing antimony next year, making it the only company with a significant Western supply of the mineral to come into production so soon.
“To deliver secure, scalable
supply, Larvotto already has offtake agreements in place, such as with Wogen Resources, which is supported via a AUD$4 million secured prepayment to expand exploration activities and move towards production,” he adds.
Exploration upsides have also been demonstrated, with a target of between 670,000 and 1.08 million oz of gold equivalent.
SHIFTING GLOBAL PRIORITIES
With antimony’s relevance surging across the defence, renewables,
electronics, and aerospace sectors, this increase in demand reflects how the priorities of global industries are shifting.
“The mineral’s biggest growth comes from solar panels, where approximately 40 grams of antimony are needed for each panel,” Heeks explains.
This means that within the renewable energy sector, antimony is not largely price-sensitive – if the price of the metal rises, it won’t drastically increase manufacturing costs due to the small quantity needed in each unit.
Antimony is also a key element in liquid metal batteries used for long-duration renewable energy grid storage, as well as in wind turbine bearings and solar glass, improving efficiency and durability.
“This becomes particularly relevant as governments look to prioritise net zero initiatives,” he adds.
When it comes to electronics, the mineral is vital for flame retardants, semiconductors, and lead-free solders, enhancing their safety and conductivity. This makes the metal crucial for advanced technology, such as data centres and quantum computing, which are the backbone of artificial intelligence (AI).
On-site at the Hillgrove Project, NSW, Australia
On-site at the Hillgrove Project, NSW, Australia
On-site at the Hillgrove Project, NSW, Australia
In defence, meanwhile, antimony is used in batteries, ammunitions, night vision, and infrared systems, making it critical to modern military capability.
The USD$245 million US Antimony Corporation five-year contract deal, which has recently been signed by the Pentagon, underscores how strategically important this metal has become as governments seek to secure long-term supplies.
“In an increasingly volatile global landscape, sources such as Larvotto’s Hillgrove Project are now essential to ensuring stability and resilience,” Heeks surmises.
A DIVERSE OPERATION
Hillgrove’s large exploration upside is significant, with Larvotto continuing to explore other developments such as its Mt Isa and Eyre projects.
The former is located close to the city of Mt Isa in Northwest Queensland – a region known for its rich mineral deposits. It is focused on copper, gold, and cobalt exploration, and recent drilling has uncovered
zone open in all directions, with results from early September this year including 5.8 m at 4.91 g/t gold equivalent from 166 m, and 8.5 m at 4.03 g/t AuEq from 196 m.
new zones of copper and gold mineralisation.
The latter is part of a trending crustal-scale suture zone close to Perth, Western Australia. It is situated between the Archaean Yilgarn Craton to the north and the Proterozoic Albany-Fraser Orogen to the south and covers a section of the crustalscale Jimberlana dyke, which is known to be prospective for base metals and platinum group elements (PGE).
Elsewhere, near-mine growth opportunities such as EleanoraGaribaldi will help to drive Larvotto’s share price and have identified potential for both depth extensions and near-surface extractions of antimony.
“Results reported at the start of October 2025 included 30 metres (m) at 3.29 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold equivalent (AuEq) from 104 m, and 5.40 m at 11.99 g/t AuEq from 151.6 m, including 4 m at 15.89 g/t AuEq from 153 m.”
Larvotto’s Golden Gate prospect is also emerging as a new high-grade
“These projects matter because they offer diversification and potential growth avenues beyond Hillgrove,” Heeks underscores.
“This signals to stakeholders that Larvotto is not a one-asset company but building a broader long-term strategy.”
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
As a company that prioritises employment for residents of Hillgrove, Armidale, and New England, Larvotto is committed to creating significant job opportunities.
It is also dedicated to housing the majority of its workforce locally in Armidale, avoiding fly-in fly-out
Drill rig at the Hillgrove Project, NSW, Australia
Drill rig at the Hillgrove Project, NSW, Australia
Map showing the location of the Hillgrove Project, located in NSW, Australia
models where possible.
“We place strong emphasis on local procurement and sourcing, maximising goods and services from regional suppliers to stimulate the local supply chain and strengthen the local economy,” Heeks tells us.
“For both contract and short-term workers, we ensure a clear alignment of our terms and conditions, workplace safety standards, training, and upskilling,” he assures.
Larvotto’s Community Partnerships Programme (CPP) also provides funding for nearby organisations, projects, and initiatives that offer tangible benefits to local people.
A cornerstone of the company’s community engagement strategy,
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF YOUR RECENT DFS AND HOW IT DEMONSTRATES STRONG ECONOMICS AND ROBUST MARGINS?
Ron Heeks, Managing Director: “Our DFS provides strong financial validation of Hillgrove’s economics, including robust margins and resilience, even under conservative pricing scenarios.
“It bolsters investor confidence and helps with stakeholder agreement and offtake decisions, enabling Larvotto to transition credibly from explorer and developer to producer – backed by tangible metrics. This also allows the company to focus on debt financing.
“The mid-case price scenario outlined in the DFS still underestimates the value of the project. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) is currently AUD$250 million and post-tax-free cash flows are AUD$128 million, demonstrating the robust economics expected and rapid payback anticipated from Hillgrove.
“The internal rate of return is also at 102 percent, and all-in sustaining cost (AISC) for gold is negative AUD$1,300. At the current market price, this would be negative AUD$3,200, with a net present value (NPV) of AUD$1.3 billion at spot prices. It is also extremely derisked given the infrastructure.
“These figures were calculated using the spot prices at the time of the DFS release in May 2025. This means the actual figures at today’s spot prices are considerably better – with a lower AISC and a higher NPV.”
the Hillgrove Hub in Armidale is a dedicated shopfront – officially opened in April 2025 – serving as a central point for local residents.
Here, people can directly engage with Larvotto representatives, access
up-to-date project information, discuss concerns, and participate in community forums.
As it looks to the future, Larvotto is seeking the evaluation and award of its underground mining contract.
“We’re also anticipating the commencement of our process plant upgrade, underground works, and our ongoing drilling results being updated,” he concludes.
Aerial view of the Hillgrove Project, NSW, Australia
Planning on-site at the Hillgrove Project, NSW, Australia
MAGICAL LAND IN THE DEPTHS OF TRANSYLVANIA
The Turda Salt Mine is one of the world’s most spectacular tourist destinations, an underground formation created in a special natural environment
Writer: Jack Salter
Turda is one of the oldest and most important cities in Romania, full of history and legend.
Located in the heart of Transylvania, Turda began as a Dacian settlement before it was occupied by the Romans.
Salt, once a highly valuable commodity, was first extracted here during antiquity, with the Turda Salt Mine becoming the main source of supply in the region.
A treasure left behind by time, the mine dates back to prehistory when Transylvania was covered by an immense sea.
Millions of years later, the waters evaporated and left behind an impressive layer of salt that spreads across the entire subsoil of Transylvania, with an average thickness of about 400 metres (m).
After the closure of mining activities in 1932, the Turda Salt Mine entered a period of forgetfulness until it was used as an air raid shelter during World War II.
Today, the Turda Salt Mine has been restored and modernised into a modern and surprising international tourist destination.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists come every year to visit this underground salt labyrinth, taking them into the magical depths of Transylvania.
EXTRAORDINARY HEALTH BENEFITS
Salt is not only said to bring good luck, but also – first and foremost – health.
Indeed, salt therapy is recommended for effectively treating respiratory diseases, stimulating immunity, supporting the detoxification of the body, improving the functioning of the digestive tract, and helping to reduce the effects of fatigue and stress.
The Turda Salt Mine is known for its curative properties – a simple walk through can help visitors feel good.
Indeed, it has extraordinary health benefits thanks to the mine’s sterile environment and extremely low concentration of microorganisms.
It is therefore amongst the first salt mines in Romania and abroad to be used for speleotherapeutic purposes.
Its microclimate and sanogenic factors also offer optimal conditions for the recovery therapies of various internal conditions as well as prophylaxis and sanogenesis.
As a natural and inexhaustible source of health, the mine bestows a state of well-being thanks to its pure air and invites guests to relax and disconnect.
In this fresh and humid atmosphere, tourists can stroll through the impressively large space, enjoying a spa with a gym, jacuzzis, saunas, and swimming pool.
They can even sail aboard a boat in the Theresa Mine, the site’s oldest mining operation where salt was exploited between 1690 and 1880.
An underground lake majestically dominates the scene in the Theresa Mine, a unique splendour up to 6 m deep.
Over time, an island was formed in the centre of the lake from the residual salt deposited after 1880 when exploitation ceased.
As well as the underground lake, the Theresa Mine hosts a salty waterfall, stalactites, and salt efflorescence.
TURDA
STAIRCASE OF THE RICH
The Staircase of the Rich reigns the Registry Chamber, so-called because it was ideal for keeping track of the people entering and leaving the Rudolf Mine.
Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary from December 1848 until his death in November 1916, is said to have descended the staircase.
No miner was allowed to use the staircase following his descent, with its use intended only for nobles –hence its name, Staircase of the Rich.
It is the oldest wooden structure in the Turda Salt Mine and made of fir wood, offering several advantages in this saline environment.
For example, the staircase’s resin neutralises the salt and doesn’t allow it to crystallise. Fir wood also doesn’t break right away; it is made up of several layers and warns in advance if there are tensions that can cause cracks.
Elsewhere, in a niche dug in the eastern wall of the Registry Chamber, there is the altar, a place of prayer, faith, and hope.
Legend has it that one morning, an elderly worker responsible for lighting the torches in the mine every day suffered an accident and felt the presence of God.
On the wall, in the light of the torch,
TURDA SALT MINE – IN NUMBERS
• 680,000+ VISITORS ANNUALLY
• 120M DEEP
• OVER 38 MILLION TONNES OF SALT
• TWO MICHELIN STARS
he saw the face of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus in her arms. Being very faithful, the people decided to dig the altar in its place and, every morning, the priest of the salt mine would hold a service in order for them all to be protected.
RUDOLF MINE
Descending from the Staircase of the Rich to the Rudolf Mine completes the experience at the Turda Salt Mine.
Named in honour of Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria and the only son of Franz Joseph I, the Rudolf Mine is the last place where salt was exploited in the Turda Salt Mine.
172 steps lead visitors down 13 floors to the heart of the mine; at each resting bridge, the wall is marked with the year that the respective level was exploited.
A series of unique, fun activities awaits, including a multifunctional
amphitheatre, sports fields, bowling, mini golf, billiards, table tennis, a playground for children with slides and mini basketball backboards, and more.
The underground panoramic wheel is also unique and likely one-of-a-kind, allowing visitors to admire stalactites as well as the skilfully showcased remains, whilst the panoramic elevator gives tourists an overview of the whole mine.
Thus, the Turda Salt Mine is one of the world’s most spectacular natural underground formations.
azzlingD DESERT DIAMONDS
Capturing a growing global trend, De Beers Group’s latest beacon launch, Desert diamonds, celebrates the sparkling authenticity of natural diamonds that continues to capture consumers’ attention. We explore how this marketing investment is galvanising the mining and jewellery industries
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim
De Beers Group (De Beers), the world’s leading diamond organisation, recently launched Desert diamonds at the JCK Show in Las Vegas, US. It is the company’s first ‘beacon’ in over a decade, evoking authenticity, beauty, and individuality to showcase the evolving diamond sector.
A De Beers beacon represents a central idea that is manifested through a jewellery concept created to rally the industry and inspire category-wide marketing initiatives,
with previous iterations including tennis bracelets and eternity rings.
As the group’s biggest marketing investment in 10 years, the Desert diamonds beacon champions the jewel in its most natural form and speaks to its wild nature, gaining inspiration from the iconic desert landscapes where many of the gemstones originate.
Championing Desert diamonds in such a way means that consumers can truly appreciate the kaleidoscope of colours that characterise the
jewels, showcasing the warm whites, champagne tones, and amber hues that make them so unique.
The beacon combines compelling storytelling with natural beauty, offering a way for jewellery lovers across the world to connect with the story of their unique jewel and its journey to fruition.
A CULTURAL CONVERSATION
The launch of Desert diamonds signifies a changing dynamic as consumers across the globe ditch the artificial glitz of typical diamond jewellery for natural authenticity, rawness, and sentimentality.
Indeed, the launch unites the global diamond industry in helping to reignite the love for natural diamond jewellery after falling by the wayside in recent years, particularly amid the emergence of lab-grown diamonds, which quickly became a market disruptor.
Desert diamonds harness a growing desire for jewellery wearers to be more connected to nature, satisfied by their earthy tones.
This growing trend is supported by De Beers’ own consumer research, with 90 percent of participants confirming they would consider purchasing and owning a Desert diamond piece.
Such findings correlate with growing global attention around Desert diamonds, which have garnered 450 million views and 250,000 mentions across digital
platforms over the past two years.
Public interest in Desert diamonds rose stratospherically in August 2025 after Taylor Swift adorned a stunning engagement ring that was embedded with a rare, old mine-cut diamond with a soft candlelit hue.
Other A-listers are likewise pivoting to more natural bling, with Kim Kardashian and Doja Cat recently going for a layered diamond look, whilst Bad Bunny sported Desert diamonds when announcing his highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime show.
As such, De Beers is tapping into a growing cultural conversation and rising resonance around these pieces, which are increasingly seen as contemporary symbols of individuality and style, creating jewellery to be treasured over a lifetime.
A SHINING BEACON OF INDIVIDUALITY
Akin to past beacons, Desert diamonds signifies an industry-wide programme that strives to celebrate natural diamonds and reignite consumer desire.
In coordination with the programme, diamond retailers and leaders have focused their efforts on these precious gems, working to highlight the unique attributes of the desert-inspired pallets.
As such, specially made collections showcase bold solitaire designs and champion subtle gradients, which will be available through both independent and large-scale jewellers, including Jared Jewelers’ Storied Diamond Desert Sands of Eternity™ collection, as well as pieces from Neil Lane that have tapped into the growing bridal market.
In the case of De Beers, the Desert diamonds launch is supported by a fully-fledged campaign spanning television and radio, alongside a range of digital social media.
The company is taking a personalised approach, utilising storytelling and creative imagery to spotlight how every diamond is as individual as the person who wears it, with each gemstone carved out by the passing of time and immersed in natural elements.
By emphasising the unique character and story of Desert diamonds, De Beers is drawing parallels with consumers’ own journey and invites wearers to view their diamonds as personal connections to the Earth and lasting symbols of true individuality.
ANCIENT AMMOLITE
AMMOLITE
We excavate the past to uncover the mysteries of ammolite. More than just a gemstone, it’s a piece of natural history that has organic origins and ethereal qualities, treasured for both its aesthetic appeal and rarity
Writer: Rachel Carr
Forged in the earth over millions of years, ammolite is a rare and highly coveted gemstone, renowned for its unique optical properties, boasting a striking spectrum of colours that ripple in mesmerising patterns, reminiscent of stained glass.
This exceptional organic material originates from the fossilised shells of ammonites – ancient spiralshelled marine molluscs that thrived in warm, shallow seas during the Late Cretaceous period before becoming extinct alongside the dinosaurs.
During the Mesozoic era, a vast tropical sea, known as the Western Interior Seaway, covered this region. Over time, tectonic shifts raised the seabed into land, burying the ammonite remains beneath mineral-rich sediments, particularly bentonite clay.
This unique geological setting preserved the shells’ dazzling optical effects instead of converting them into calcite fossils.
Ammonite fossils are primarily located along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in North America, especially the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada. Whilst they can be found worldwide, only
those preserved in the sedimentary layers of Southern Alberta exhibit a vibrant iridescence characteristic of ammolite.
The gemstone is mainly composed of aragonite, the same mineral found in pearls, and is therefore akin to an eternal kaleidoscope, with metallic, iridescent flashes of colour dancing across its surface, creating a cascade of hues.
Ammolite is graded using a system similar to that used for diamonds or tanzanite, with a range from AAA to standard. Stones with a full spectrum of colours are highly valued, whilst those with fewer hues receive lower grades.
The more vivid and diverse it is, the more desirable the gemstone, captivating collectors and jewellery enthusiasts worldwide.
Ammolite is known as a onelocation wonder and, like other single-source gems such as tanzanite, csarite, and larimar, its limited geographic origin only adds to its allure.
MINING MAP
The Bearpaw Formation, once part of the Bearpaw Sea in the Western Interior Seaway, stretches all the way from Alberta to Saskatchewan
and Montana. However, ammolite is exclusively commercially extracted in Alberta due to the region’s superiorquality stone.
The mining process involves mechanised excavation of pits up to 100 metres (m) deep, where material is screened for gem content. Each centimetre of exposed shale is scrutinisingly examined by hand to identify ammolite.
Deposits occur in several layers, with the shallowest being the K Zone at 15 to 30 m below the surface. Here, ammolite is typically covered by siderite concretions and may be cracked and fractured during deposition. It may also have imperfections known as matrix lines, in which case the material is sometimes referred to as crush or dragon skin.
About half of mined ammolite is suitable for jewellery, with only one to 10 percent achieving the top grade.
Below this layer, the Blue Zone, extending from 20 to 65 m, features more desirable ammolite with fewer or no fractures and is characterised by being compressed with a thin layer of pyrite instead of siderite concretions. This sheet material usually contains the majority of AAA-grade ammolite, making it the most desirable and rare.
After the meticulous mining process, the extracted ammolite is stabilised with glue to prevent damage and is often backed with a sturdier material, such as black onyx or shale, to ensure durability, especially for use in jewellery.
To protect its beauty, ammolite is typically stabilised as a triplet, which consists of three layers. The thin ammolite layer is bonded to a slice of the original fossil for support and topped with a transparent layer, usually made of natural quartz. This protective coating may be faceted in various patterns, enhancing its lustre and colour play.
The value of ammolite triplets
varies by size and vibrancy rather than carat weight, due to the stabilising materials.
The colours result from thin layers within the gem that reflect light rather than absorb it, as with traditional coloured stones.
Whereas thicker layers produce reds and greens, thinner layers yield blues and violets, creating a unique, shifting spectrum in every stone.
The delicate, wafer-thin layers of ammolite make transforming the substance into gemstones a complex task. Its fragility and focus on highquality contribute to its reputation as a rare and valuable addition to jewellery and home décor.
A SACRED STONE
Long before ammolite was formally recognised as a gemstone, the Blackfoot people of Southern Alberta cherished it as a sacred emblem of spiritual strength and an enduring link to the land, depending on it for their survival.
Now believed to offer health benefits, such as detoxification and purification, and associated with energy boosts and increased stamina, it once held significant cultural importance for Indigenous peoples and is deeply connected to their folklore.
The Blackfoot tribe, originally inhabitants of the expansive Great Plains of North America – covering what is now Montana, Idaho, and Alberta – trace their roots back to the Great Lakes region.
Over a millennium ago, a Blackfoot clan faced a harsh winter with dwindling food supplies and the threat of a tempestuous storm looming.
In desperation, they turned to prayer, during which a young woman had a vivid dream in which a spirit gave her a mystical stone and instructed her to perform a ceremonial song to summon the buffalo.
Following the symbols in her dream, she found the legendary singing stone and urged the tribe to prepare for a ceremony, hoping the buffalo might return.
As the ceremony unfolded, the anticipated storm swept in, enveloping the camp in a swirling flurry which forced many to seek shelter from the raging elements.
Miraculously, by dawn’s early light, the clan awoke to find a majestic herd of buffalo roaming near their camp. The bounteous gift reaffirmed the gem’s spiritual power, providing life-sustaining food and resources crucial to the clan’s survival
ETHEREAL AMMOLITE
• Ammolite has a 3.5 to four hardness rating on the Mohs scale, making it relatively soft compared to other gemstones.
• Indigenous peoples, including the Blackfoot tribe, called ammolite iniskim, meaning ‘buffalo stone’.
• Whilst red and green colours are standard for ammolite, blue and violet are extremely rare.
• Ammolite is one of the newest gemstones in the world, officially recognised by the World Jewellery Confederation in 1981, positioning it alongside other illustrious gems such as opal, ruby, sapphire, and emerald, and affirming its status as one of the rarest treasures on Earth.
through the unforgiving winter.
Today, ammolite retains its ceremonial importance amongst the Blackfoot people, often used in rituals that connect them to their ancestors and the natural world.
NATURE’S LEGACY
Since 1979, ammolite has been primarily harvested by KORITE, the preeminent producer of this extraordinary gemstone.
Commanding an impressive 95 percent of the world’s reserves, the company is celebrated not only for the exceptional quality of its ammolite but also for its unwavering commitment to ethical and sustainable mining practices.
The gemstone’s mesmerising, intricate patterns have made it a coveted choice in both the jewellery and collectables markets. Over the past 15 years, its value has soared –growing by an estimated 30 percent annually – as collectors recognise
its rarity and potential as a sound investment.
With an increasing appreciation for its beauty and uniqueness in both Western and Asian markets, ammolite has emerged from the shadows to capture the attention of discerning gemstone enthusiasts worldwide. Moreover, ammolite holds a special place in feng shui, a Chinese philosophy that posits the gemstone can attract wealth and prosperity to its wearer.
Ammolite stands as a breathtaking alternative to traditional gemstones, offering a stunning visual appeal whilst being mined with a deep
respect for the environment and the local communities that inhabit the areas around its extraction sites.
As such, KORITE’s operations in Calgary and near Lethbridge are situated within Treaty 7 territory, honouring the rich legacies of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Métis Nation of Alberta, whilst respecting the histories and cultures of the First Peoples of Canada.
Spellbinding and sustainable, each exquisite ammolite piece is not only a work of art but also a tribute to its natural and cultural heritage, offering consumers a rare opportunity to own a remarkable piece of history.
With its unique origins and captivating beauty, ammolite not only showcases the wonders of natural history but also highlights the importance of sustainable practices in preserving this extraordinary gemstone for future generations.
SPOTLIGHT ON SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES AND ENERGY
As the most profitable industry in the nation, Australia’s ever-expanding resources sector is of crucial importance to the domestic economy as well as underpinning the provision of vital infrastructure
Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Deane Anderton
The South Australian resources sector is at an important point in its history.
The industry was born in 1840, when silver and copper were discovered in South Australia (SA).
Since then, the nation has benefitted from a long journey of investment, strong commodity demand, and new technology which has helped to create a strong and resilient landscape.
From the bronze age, through industrialisation, and into the technology revolution, the sector has not only underpinned innovation but has also fuelled it.
In this way, Australia’s resources industry provides
the materials that are allowing the world to push the boundaries of science.
Today, the sector earns more export income for the country than all other industries combined and generates more than half the total exports.
Similarly, in SA the resources sector underpins the state’s economy and contributes to 50 percent of exports, helping to fund schools, hospitals, and new roads.
At present, resources companies in SA directly employ over 11,000 people in highly paid, highly skilled jobs.
This dedicated and valued workforce earns wages 64 percent higher than the average for all other industries.
INTERVIEW:
The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy is the leading industry association in the State, representing resource and energy companies and those who provide services to them. We learn more with CEO, Nicola McFarlane
Mining Outlook (MO): How did you first become interested in the mining industry?
Nicola McFarlane, CEO (NM): When I was younger, I was really interested in problem-solving, which led me to study mechanical engineering at the University of Western Australia. What really drew me to that career path is that it would not only provide diverse opportunities, including travel, but also allow me to be creative.
As a qualified mechanical engineer, I have spent over two decades leading high-impact projects and organisations at the forefront of the global energy transition, both in Australia and the UK.
This has included steering large-scale hydrogen and decarbonisation initiatives for mining and heavy industry as Chief Operating Officer of the Office of Hydrogen Power SA, and prior to that as the Director for Hydrogen and New Energies for the Western Australian government.
I have also worked in safety and risk management roles for the oil and gas energy sectors.
Over that time, I have developed an ability to forge collaborative industry-government partnerships and progress the transformation of advanced technology into commercially viable solutions.
A leadership role in resources that encompasses both mining and energy has been a natural progression. In my role at the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy
(SACOME), I now champion a resilient resources sector that underpins SA’s long-term prosperity.
MO: What is your take on the resources industry in Australia at present?
NM: We have an amazing opportunity right now in Australia. We have abundant resource reserves, and there is huge potential for growth – particularly in global markets.
Copper and Gold Projects in World Class Locations
Hillside Project Rex Minerals’ Hillside Copper Project is located 12km south of Ardrossan on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. The area has a rich history of copper mining stretching back over 150 years, specifically at Wallaroo and Moonta.
Hillside is an Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) deposit in the Gawler Craton, and is one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in Australia.
The Hillside Mineral Lease, Miscellaneous Purpose Licence, and Extractive Minerals Lease were granted on 16 September 2014. In July 2020, the South Australian Government approved the Program for Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) for the Stage 1 Mine Plan.
The Hillside deposit is amenable to ore extraction using open pit mining methods. The first stage of the Hillside Project (Stage 1) is approximately 11 years with opportunity for further stages to follow. The pit will be mined in phases, with mining beginning on eastern resources, then progressively moving to west. The topsoil will be removed and stored for later use in rehabilitation of the mining operation. The open pit will be a medium to large size mine by Australian standards in terms of annual material movement and final pit volume.
The Processing Plant will include all ore processing facilities from primary crushing to concentrate load out for transport. The proposed design is based on conventional equipment in a flowsheet specifically designed to achieve excellent copper and gold
recovery and a clean, highly saleable copper gold concentrate. The plant and infrastructure has been designed to a high level to manage our internal and external environmental considerations.
Location and Infrastructure
The Hillside Project is approximately 150kms by road from Adelaide, with access to a significant workforce in neighbouring townships. Temporary workers’ accommodation facilities will be provided for construction at a camp in the vicinity of the Hillside mine. The camp will be built, owned and operated by a facility management company.
A section of the Yorke Highway will be realigned, and modifications and upgrades to sections of the surrounding roads to improve site access and ease of traffic movement. Stage 1 of the realignments has been completed, with the remaining stages well advanced.
The site has access to mains power through the network grid. Saline water will be used for processing and mining operations as per the license conditions, drawn from a small wellfield on the edge of the mining area. The transport of final product will in purpose built covered shipping containers, which is the benchmark for movement of mineral concentrates. The containers will be trucked to Port Adelaide for storage, prior to loading into vessels for transport to overseas smelters. The challenge to develop a productive, modern mine in a responsible way, integrated with the community
presents a unique opportunity for the company and the community to work together. This will not be limited to providing opportunities for local businesses and residents from all backgrounds, but also attract new people to the area for the unique balance of location, lifestyle and employment.
Community
Rex Minerals has a commitment to support the communities in which we operate through long-term partnerships that make a positive and sustainable contribution.
The company is working to improve four key pillars within the community: education, medical services, child care and paramedics, to ensure Ardrossan’s critical services would not be stretched when new workers arrive.
Through our Community Partnership Program, we provide financial assistance and in kind contributions to support projects, events, or initiatives that benefit our local communities in the Yorke Peninsula and South Australia.
In partnership with the Ardrossan Area School, Rex Minerals is proud to be helping students across the Yorke Peninsula pursue careers in the resource sector, hosting Resource Sector School Immersion Days with our industry partners, launching a VR/Simulator School and supporting students to participate in Certificate II in Resources Infrastructure.
This was highlighted at the Copper to the World conference that I spoke at in August. Even if we specifically look at the dialogue on that critical metal, global demand for copper is projected to increase 70 percent by 2050, driven by the accelerating energy transition, higher living standards, and the rise of data centres.
SA is home to two-thirds of Australia’s high-quality copper resources, so the state is exceptionally well
SACOME 2030 VISION
SACOME’s 2030 Vision provides guidance for the next five years. Its mission is to accelerate the advancements of the resources sector for the economic prosperity of the state by delivering impactful strategic policy and advocacy that supports enduring sectoral growth and expansion.
The vision is delivered through:
• Constructive relationships with federal and state governments
• Nurturing an expanding pipeline of talent
• Environmental and social protection
• Enhancement of positive industry awareness
• Economic evaluation of growth opportunities
These initiatives are supported by SACOME’s strategic advocacy pillars, including:
• State economic development
• Energy
• Infrastructure
• Legislation and regulation
• Education, workforce, and skills
positioned to meet this growing demand.
We have an amazing ecosystem within the resources sector, and in collaboration with state and federal governments, we are setting up the enablers to facilitate that growth.
Whether it’s with respect to water, such as the Northern Water Project, which is a key initiative that the government and industry are working on together, or ensuring critical minerals processing at Nyrstar Port Pirie continues to thrive, it comes down to catalysing on what we already have for the future of our member organisations, which will have a natural knock-on effect for the state’s prosperity.
MO: Can you introduce us to SACOME?
NM: I am new to the team and the role of CEO at SACOME, but I can confirm it is an association that prides itself on being the voice for the resources sector and being a strong advocate for industry in SA.
From SACOME’s perspective, our vision for resources in SA is being a trusted and innovative sector that attracts investment and delivers sustainable economic prosperity for our members and the state.
As the industry association, we are in the fortunate position of working across the whole ecosystem of stakeholders, from industry bodies, mining and exploration companies, and gas companies, through to service providers that offer support and supply chain logistics to build growth.
“IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY TO COME ON THIS JOURNEY AND TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE THE RESOURCES SECTOR PLAYS IN ENABLING US TO PROSPER IN A DECARBONISED ECONOMY”
– NICOLA MCFARLANE, CEO, SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF MINES AND ENERGY
Then, with a collaborative approach, taking our advocacy to government on their behalf is our mission to ensure we can realise our potential as an industry in this state.
MO: Have you identified any recent trends developing across the sector, either positive or negative, and how are you responding to them?
NM: Over the last 10 years, the sector has been on a real journey as part of the global landscape of our collective understanding regarding the decarbonisation of our planet.
For the resources sector, significant time, effort, and finances have been invested into understanding how and what steps are needed to enable the energy transition and to catalyse on that to create a decarbonised economy. We have reached a point in time where both government and industry, especially here in SA, are aligned in terms of understanding what enablers are required to take a step in the right direction. It is a journey, but we are really building momentum strongly now to achieve those goals.
MO: What completed, ongoing, or recent projects are you most excited about?
NM: There is an amazing opportunity in resources for SA and there are important enabling infrastructure projects to underpin this, whether that be the Northern Water Project, of which SACOME has been an advocate for several years, or electricity transmission infrastructure.
SACOME is excited about moving forwards with collaboration and building on strong stakeholder relationships to create certainty for investment.
MO: How does the Australian resources sector underpin the broader SA economy?
NM: The Australian mining industry alone has contributed AUD$394.6 billion in taxes and royalties over the last decade.
Undoubtedly, the resources sector is critical to the SA economy, having contributed 6.4 percent of the gross state product (GSP) in 2023/24, equivalent to AUD$1 in every AUD$15 of the state’s economy.
Over the last five years, direct employment has increased by 86 percent, with one in 23 full time jobs now supported by the sector.
Furthermore, there has been a 61 percent uplift in economic contribution in the past five years, highlighting the sector’s significant influence.
MO: Equally, what do you have planned regarding the development of green iron?
NM: Again, SA has an amazing opportunity in terms of the transition of our energy system. We are at almost 80 percent renewables on the grid in the state, and that has enabled us to seriously consider how we can support green iron processing and utilise renewables and direct reduction iron facilities to create a green product.
The Whyalla Steelworks facility is critical to future ambitions for green steel manufacturing, which will be increasingly lucrative as the world seeks to decarbonise.
Steel from Whyalla Steelworks helps Australia build and maintain its infrastructure – including railways,
bridges, schools, hospitals, high-rise towers, transmission infrastructure, and defence assets.
This is why the federal and state governments have worked together to bolster SA’s future with a multi-billiondollar package to salvage Whyalla Steelworks, support local jobs, and encourage more investment into Australianmade iron and steel.
SA has approximately 7.4 billion tonnes of economically demonstrated iron ore, much of which is still at the predevelopment stage. The infrastructure required to progress that – including power, water, and transport – will need further capital investment. SACOME continues to advocate for the strategic development of the infrastructure corridors to support a stronger SA green iron and steel industry.
MO: Looking ahead, what are your key priorities for the coming year?
NM: As part of capitalising on the growth opportunity and strategy for our state’s critical minerals and metals, infrastructure is at the forefront of what the government is working on with industry. Specifically, the Northern Water Project for water infrastructure, and then gas supply and electricity transmission infrastructure. Enabling reliable and affordable energy to support the transition is what’s needed to enable growth within the resource sector.
SACOME’s ResourcefulSA campaign, which has been in market for over 18 months, ensures the resource sector is building trust with the community by educating them on the fundamental role mining plays in our lives everywhere, every day.
The campaign also demonstrates how the resources sector is needed to support decarbonisation, whether from critical minerals such as the copper needed for EVs to silver and iron ore required to support solar and wind infrastructure.
It is important for the whole community to come on this journey and understand the role the resources sector plays in enabling us to prosper in a decarbonised economy.
Building a workforce skilled for the future is also of critical importance to SACOME and our members, and we believe this starts in schools. That is why SACOME adapted a programme initiated and developed by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CMEWA) to create our STEM Digital Technologies Programme for reception to Year 10 students.
Initially suggested by industry to address the shortage of skilled resources sector workers, the initiative provides the opportunity to reshape STEM learning in a structured format, which is in alignment with the Australian
curriculum. Importantly, it also supports a generation of teachers with the skills required to teach this challenging discipline.
MO: Finally, what other issues need to be addressed within the industry?
NM: The overwhelming message for delegates and speakers at the recent Copper to the World conference was collaboration. I think that’s a huge opportunity, and we need to accelerate a culture of collaboration.
The energy transition is major, and we can’t work in silos. For SA to be competitive and unlock investment within the state, it is really important that we collaborate and nurture partnerships.
There is no doubt that resilient and focused collaboration not only within the resources sector but between the resources sector and government has the potential to drive progress, unlock new value, and shape the future of sustainable practices for the advancement of the industry.
Strong relationships will ensure that the resources sector remains the cornerstone of SA’s economy.
Tel: 08 8202 9999
sacome@sacome.org.au
sacome.org.au
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HAVING A BLAST
Diego Vallim, Vice President of Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, and Laurence Goodacre, Vice President of Africa, update us on Orica’s recent activities in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), including its expanded digital portfolio, newly launched lead-free electronic detonators, and ambitious environmental targets Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Cameron Lawrence
There has been continuous growth in the mining industry in EMEA since we last spoke to Orica at the beginning of this year.
Europe has witnessed significant development in 2025 in terms of mining infrastructure and an increase in operations across the continent.
The industry has also progressed particularly well in Africa, especially compared to other parts of the world, with the region quickly finding its feet
when it comes to regulation changes and local content.
Orica has remained unwaveringly committed to excellence in the burgeoning EMEA mining sector throughout 2025.
“We have a massive footprint across EMEA, from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere, so geographically it’s one of the most challenging regions we have within the business. We’ve seen continuous
growth in EMEA over the last 12 months, and I don’t see that backing off,” notes Laurence Goodacre, Vice President of Africa.
There is also strong demand in EMEA for core blasting activities and supplying mining and construction companies with explosives and blasting systems.
“EMEA is very diverse; you have different environments across the whole region. We’re seeing strong
demand in many countries, so it’s been a great year for Orica in 2025,” outlines Diego Vallim, Vice President of Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
ORICA DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
Since our previous interview in January 2025, the company has experienced increasing interest in its Orica Digital Solutions business. Orica Digital Solutions seamlessly connects customers’ physical and
ORICA EMEA
digital worlds so they can readily understand and optimise their operations at every step of the value chain, from exploration to processing.
Whether operating individually, or as a whole, its solutions ensure the right intelligence at the right time for better decisions and more predictable outcomes.
With a complete, timely, and accurate picture, customers can adapt their operations to improve safety, be more productive, use less energy, produce fewer emissions, reduce environmental impacts, and lower costs.
Orica Digital Solutions’ products and technologies span Orebody Intelligence, Blast Design and Execution, Geosolutions, and Mine Simulation and Optimisation.
“Our digital portfolio is designed
“OUR DIGITAL PORTFOLIO IS DESIGNED TO OPTIMISE THE ENTIRE PROCESS FLOW OF MINING AND INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATIONS”
– LAURENCE GOODACRE, VICE PRESIDENT OF AFRICA, ORICA
to optimise the entire process flow of mining and infrastructure operations,” Goodacre tells us.
Its advanced Blast Design and Execution solutions, in particular, provide end-to-end benchmarks and insights at every stage of the blasting process.
Deployed together or individually, these ensure greater precision and predictability for underground mining, quarrying, and construction.
BlastIQ™, for example, is Orica Digital Solutions’ industry-leading, cloud-native Blast Design and Execution platform, which is ISO 27001-certified and provides effective storage, management, sharing, and referencing of all blast-related information.
This helps blasting professionals to improve blast designs, achieve better quality blasts, and reduce costs.
Design, drilling, loading, and
initiating documents can be viewed in one central location, making it easy to access blast design history and key performance indicators, enabling the continuous improvement of blasting outcomes.
“BlastIQ provides real-time data and digitalises how we use that data and the analytics behind it,” explains Goodacre.
This leads into SHOTPlus™, advanced blast design and modelling software for complex blasts.
SHOTPlus™ enables users to design, visualise, and analyse blast initiation sequences across surface and underground mining, quarrying, and construction applications.
As such, it provides the support and tools needed to improve productivity, safety, and environmental performance.
“SHOTPlus™ allows for specific blast design outcomes and results through advanced blasting software,” Goodacre states.
Another of Orica Digital Solutions’ Blast Design and Execution solutions is its industry-first OREPro™ 3D and OREPro™ 3D Predict, which optimises ore control in 3D and predicts blast results before they happen.
Using readily available input data, including the post-blast topography, Blast Design, and in-situ block model, OREPro™ 3D’s sophisticated algorithms replicate movement dynamics throughout the entire blast and calculate SmartVectors™ that accurately transform the in-situ grade control into a post-blast model.
HOW IMPORTANT ARE ORICA’S PEOPLE TO YOUR SUCCESS?
Laurence Goodacre, Vice President of Africa:
“Our people are our most valued asset. Reinvestment back into our staff is one of the most important things not only for me as an individual, but also Orica as an organisation.
“Graduate programmes are also really important for us, and historically, a lot of senior people at Orica have come from them. We develop a lot of industry experts, and that’s something we’re really proud from a training development perspective.”
Diego Vallim, Vice President of Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia:
“This is a great question because there’s nothing we can do without having good people at the forefront of new technologies.
“We consider our people as our greatest asset and continually invest in developing our talent and culture of innovation, which helps us to be always in the avant-garde of the industry.
“By investing in our people, we also help to develop the whole industry. One of the things we do to improve expertise across the whole industry is our Safe and Efficient Blasting Course, where Orica professionals from different parts of the world come together and train industry experts from around the world in different matters.
“This course is something we’re very proud of. It’s important because it’s a way to not only develop our own people, but also develop the whole industry in how to have more efficient, safer, and environmentally friendly blasting.
“We have performed several courses across the EMEA region recently, and we’ll have more in the future.”
“OREPro™ 3D is a software that helps customers to improve recovery through predictive modelling,” Vallim informs us.
“It’s a tool that’s been available for a while now, and it’s been very successful. Customers really appreciate this technology, especially medium-sized and large mining companies, and the way it helps them to improve recovery, which is of course extremely important.
“Through modelling, you can predict what will happen with your blasting process. This, of course, saves a lot of time and improves the overall efficiency of the mine.”
GEOSOLUTIONS EXPANSION
Alongside its Blast Design and Execution products and technologies, Orica recently expanded its Orica Digital Solutions portfolio to include Geosolutions.
The company’s measurement and monitoring tools offer mining and civil operators the certainty and confidence to make critical decisions.
Combining state-of-the-art technologies and software, Orica Digital Solutions’ Geosolutions assure customers of precise and reliable information to help them better manage risk, optimise production, and keep people, communities, and cultural heritage safe.
“We have expanded our Orica Digital Solutions portfolio to include Geotechnical and Geospatial monitoring systems,” Vallim says.
“When you work with Orica Digital Solutions’ Geosolutions, you’re partnering with people who know mining first-hand. Our technology is backed by trusted names like GroundProbe, 3vGeomatics, Syscom, Measurand, NavStar, and RST Instruments, but it’s our on-site experience that makes the difference.”
The company builds systems that are tough, accurate, and ready for the realities of mining life and civil infrastructure.
More importantly, it pairs this hardware with smart software and on-the-ground support. From highprecision radar to practical data interpretation, Orica helps customers understand what the numbers mean and what to do next.
Geosolutions offers real-time geohazards and geotechnical analysis and insights, including a multidimensional geotechnical and geospatial view of mining and infrastructure operations, allowing for unparalleled confidence in risk assessment and decision-making.
“These solutions and technologies are available for our customers in the EMEA region. We see a lot of synergies, not only with their mining projects, but also as a way to help some of their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ambitions.
“It’s important to highlight as it’s
part of our extended portfolio and provides value to our customers,” Vallim adds.
Orica Digital Solutions’ comprehensive monitoring technology platform, meanwhile, is used to measure movement in airports, bridges, water and tailings dams, mines, and tunnels.
“Some of our technologies help with monitoring vibrations, which improves our relationships with communities,” Vallim highlights.
Through Orica Digital Solutions’ Geosolutions predictive technologies and software solutions, customers are also able to monitor and detect wall movement, understand when it becomes a problem, and determine when a collapse is likely to occur.
Its reactive technologies detect, track, and alarm on moving geohazards, warning customers and
communities of a breach or collapse.
Another benefit of Orica Digital Solutions’ Geosolutions is they enable customers to significantly improve the efficiency and quality control of tunnel constructions and development drives.
Through precise, real-time tracking, users can make calculated decisions to increase efficiency, save time and money, and reduce reworks.
ELECTRONIC BLASTING SYSTEMS ANNIVERSARY
This year, Orica has celebrated 25 years of Electronic Blasting Systems (EBS) since the launch of the company’s first i-kon™ system in 2000.
It marks a quarter of a century of innovation, reliability, and customerdriven advancement in blasting technology for the company.
One-stop shop for renewable energy equipment, domestic and cross border haulage, construction and more.
About A&B Replacement Parts Company
A&B is a multifaceted company specializing in Domestic and cross-border haulage services, supply of renewable energy generating equipment such as solar, construction services, and direct importers and distributors of electrical cables, tubes, valves, tees, and bends.
Our Legacy and Growth Story
A & B Replacement Parts Limited was established as a wholly Zambian company, since its inception in 1999 and is duly registered with the registrar of companies and the Zambia Revenue Authority.
The company has a work force of 14 staff with its Head office situated at No.10, Chibote Avenue, Parklands, and Kitwe. The company comprises of four (4) sections
whose operations are domestic and cross border haulage, energy generating equipment and construction.
Our Mission
Our Mission at A&B Replacement Parts is to become Zambia’s top leading and internationally recognized direct importers and distributors of all Electrical Cables, Electrical Test equipment, Industrial electrical Heavy Duty Equipment, Low and High Voltage Switchgear products, HDPE pipes Stainless Steel Pipes, tubes, pumps/ Valves, Tees and Civil works/General Contracting and Transportation for all cross border Haulage of various Cargo in the SADC & COMESA Regions.
A&B Replacement Parts Limited is dedicated to building long-term relationships with its customers through quality of service, customer support, and after-sales services.
Our Services
Mining Logistics
Our mining logistics, procurement and supply office is situated at No. 10, Chibote Avenue, Parklands in Kitwe. Under this section, we supply to various mining companies, generation and transmission industries, mining electrical (low and high voltage switchgear products and all types of power cables).
Renewable Energy Generating Equipment
We pride ourselves in supplying a broad spectrum of high-quality, cutting-edge solar products, ensuring you have access to the best the industry offers.
Experience superior solar inverters, solar panels, and solar power systems, that deliver reliable performance and durability all at a cost-effective price.
Haulage Services
Haulage services provided by A&B Parts Replacement guarantee efficient and reliable transportation solutions for various goods, meeting diverse customer needs in logistics. We have in the recent past diversified to domestic and cross-border transportation of various goods to countries in the SADC and COMESA regions.
Construction
The construction section of our business undertakes projects with a focus on quality materials and expert craftsmanship, delivering exceptional results in every endeavor. We are a registered company with the National Construction Council of Zambia undertaking rehabilitation and construction jobs in the country’s public and mining sectors.
With over 200 million units deployed globally, supporting operations in Surface and Underground Mining, Tunnelling, Quarrying, and Construction, i-kon™ led the way in defining what a globally standardised EBS could be and set the benchmark for modern systems.
i-kon™ was launched at a time when the industry was dominated by non-electric and electric systems, both of which had limitations in terms of testability, timing accuracy, and scalability.
Since launching i-kon™ 25 years ago, Orica has remained at the forefront of Electronic Initiation, transforming the way the mining industry approaches safety, precision, and productivity.
It has also revolutionised the way blasting is conducted – introducing programmable timing, full testability, and now, the world’s first truly wireless initiating system, WebGen™ 100.
This groundbreaking technology communicates through rock, air, and water to initiate blasts, eliminates
the need for downlines and surface connecting wires, and significantly enhances safety by removing people from hazardous areas.
A few years after, Orica launched WebGen™ 200, which uses lowfrequency magnetic waves to communicate with each primer, ensuring precise and controlled blasting operations.
By eliminating the constraints of traditional wired initiation, WebGen™ 200 transforms mine planning by enabling more flexible, efficient, and precise blast designs, reducing risk exposure, and driving productivity gains.
“WebGen™ 200 is a really exciting product that’s been in the market for a little but continues to unlock. value for customers, not just in surface mining but also underground; it’s changing the way we mine,” Goodacre highlights.
“We can now look at how we extract ore differently because of wireless technology, which is one of the most exciting products from an underground perspective and a whole different way of thinking.”
Having been implemented at over 75 sites across six continents and 13 countries, WebGen™ has seen significant usage throughout various regions, including EMEA.
“We have seen a lot of interest in WebGen™ 200 from many different types of industries here in EMEA,” confirms Vallim.
In March 2025, the technology reached a major milestone, achieving
Leading Supplier of Material Handling Equipment
HALCYON MH LIMITED
Established in October 2010, Halcyon MH Limited has earned a solid reputation as Ghana’s most proactive and efficient material handling equipment company. As the direct dealer for Linde Material Handling GmbH and MAGNI Telescopic Handlers, Halcyon provides world-class lifting and handling solutions that combine innovation, safety and performance.
At Halcyon, we go beyond being an equipment supplier. We are a complete material handling solutions partner with an aim of helping businesses move smarter, safer, and more efficiently by delivering premium equipment and unmatched technical support. Whether for warehouses, factories, logistics hubs, ports, or construction sites, our solutions are designed to improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime.
With a fleet of over 200 lift trucks in Ghana, Halcyon MH Limited has one of the largest and most reliable rental and sales inventories in the country. This capacity allows us to meet the diverse needs of clients across industries ensuring quick availability, dependable performance, and minimal downtime, no matter the project size or location.
Our strategic partnerships set us apart. Through our direct dealership with Linde Material Handling and MAGNI Telescopic Handlers, we bring customers the latest in global engineering excellence equipment renowned for reliability, performance, and ergonomics. We also partner with TVH Belgium, Europe’s largest and most cost-efficient spare parts supplier, ensuring that our clients have access to genuine parts, rapid maintenance and responsive after-sales service.
These collaborations give us the global backing and technical edge needed to meet every material handling challenge.
Halcyon MH Limited offers a comprehensive range of products and services tailored to suit diverse industrial applications. Our offerings include:
1. Forklift Rental and Sales: A wide range of electric, diesel, and LPG forklifts for every operational demand.
2. Telehandlers and Reach Equipment: Versatile lifting solutions for production, construction, and industrial operations.
3. Pallet Trucks and Stackers: Durable, high-performance solutions for warehouses and logistics centers.
4. Scissor Lifts and Access Platforms: Safe and efficient elevation for maintenance, installation, and construction projects.
5. Maintenance and After-Sales Support: Skilled technicians providing timely servicing, repairs, and genuine spare parts to ensure maximum uptime.
At Halcyon, we view every customer as a partner in progress. We take time to understand each client’s
unique operational environment and recommend tailored solutions whether through short-term rentals, long-term leases, or outright purchases. Our flexible terms, responsive service, and dedicated technical support ensure clients receive maximum value, safety and reliability at every stage.
Our excellence in service delivery has earned us the trust of leading local and international companies. Among our key partnerships is our strategic relationship with Orica, a global leader in industrial and mining solutions. Through this collaboration, Halcyon supports Orica’s operations with specialized equipment and expert technical assistance ensuring safety, precision, and efficiency in every task.
Over the years, Halcyon MH Limited has remained committed to efficiency, reliability, and customer satisfaction. With a focus on continuous improvement and innovation, we continue to set the benchmark for material handling excellence in Ghana and across West Africa.
For equipment that lifts performance, safety and productivity, trust Halcyon MH Limited, your reliable partner in material handling solutions.
10,000 blasts globally and firing 200,000 WebGen™ 200 primers.
This reflects its rapid widespread adoption and success in the mining industry, enabling customers to implement new mining methods and achieve real-world benefits.
Orica’s i-kon™ III and WebGen™ 200 systems therefore build on the company’s legacy of precision and safety, offering advanced digital integration, improved deployment efficiency, and enhanced environmental performance.
LEAD-FREE ELECTRONIC DETONATORS
The evolution from i-kon™ III and WebGen™ 200 continues with the recent launch of EBS Neo, Orica’s new range of fully lead-free electronic detonators.
EBS Neo products are designed for enhanced safety and sustainability, eliminating lead from both production and blasting emissions.
“This is a journey that started many years ago; we needed to develop different alternatives to eliminate lead from the whole production chain, and we are now seeing increasing adoption of lead-free detonators,” affirms Vallim.
The EBS Neo range utilises non-primary explosives detonator technology for the safe and reliable initiation of explosives in challenging conditions.
This next generation of EBS includes i-kon™ III Neo – engineered for large, complex surface and underground blasting; uni tronic™ 600 Neo – tailored for civil tunnelling and mine development; and eDev™ II Neo – optimised for small to medium-sized surface and construction blasting.
These systems build on Orica’s legacy of precision and safety, offering advanced digital integration, improved deployment efficiency, and enhanced environmental performance.
Orica does not use lead or lead
compounds in the manufacturing of its EBS Neo detonators and takes steps to seek assurances from its suppliers in this regard.
“We tested different materials and came up with a configuration that doesn’t require any lead at all, so it’s very aligned with our ambitions to have a more sustainable portfolio of products,” Vallim acclaims.
“EBS Neo is definitely a gamechanger. By removing lead from the entire lifecycle, it helps customers with their ESG,” echoes Goodacre.
“When we talk about removing lead from detonators, this is the final evolution of the EBS product range. It’s a lot safer from an ESG perspective and helps with regulatory compliance.”
Crucially, the EBS Neo range complies with the requirements of the EU’s Restriction of Hazardous
Substances (RoHS) Directive, which aims to prevent the risks posed to human health and the environment related to the management of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
The directive promotes the recyclability of EEE, since its components now contain fewer hazardous substances and more recycling opportunities.
At the same time, it ensures a level playing field for manufacturers and importers of EEE in the European market.
In April 2026, a specific exemption related to the use of certain lead and hexavalent chromium compounds in electric and electronic initiators of explosives for civil (professional) use expires, however EBS Neo complies with the RoHS Directive beyond this deadline.
A Proven Partnership
R&R Murphy has evolved from a contract manufacturing vendor into a full-service excellence partner, collaborating daily with Orica’s engineering, asset management, and new technology teams. This partnership supports the complete asset life cycle of Orica’s underground process units — from design and manufacture to fulfilment and field support — across Australia, the Pacific, and Asia, with additional capability for North American and European projects. The company’s expertise includes the manufacture of vehicle-mounted industrial process units for Orica’s hard rock blasting services, ensuring consistent production throughput and quality across all operating regions. R&R Murphy also delivers fitment, retrofitting, and commissioning of underground delivery systems onto carriers such as Normet, Maclean, Mercedes Benz, Getman, and Epiroc.
Beyond manufacturing, R&R Murphy provides end-to-end logistics and warehousing, managing critical spares, pre-commissioned emulsion units, and a dedicated spare parts store for consumables and replacement components. These assets are maintained and ready for rapid deployment to Orica customer sites in 21 countries.
Continuous improvement underpins the company’s approach — from refinements to the MaxiPump™ for more reliable
For over 20 years, R&R Murphy Pty Ltd has proudly partnered with Orica to design, manufacture, and support vehicle-mounted industrial process units for the global mining and quarry industries. From developing new emulsion charging technologies to supporting these solutions throughout their life cycle, R&R Murphy has built a reputation for precision, reliability, and Australian-made excellence.
emulsion pumping, to advancements in MaxiLoader™ and MaxiCharger™ designs that have reduced production time and cost while increasing field durability.
R&R Murphy also plays a vital role in prototyping and compliance testing for Orica’s 4D™ advanced blasting solutions, integrating digital technology, hydraulics, and mechatronics to maximise safety and efficiency in the field.
New Milestone: BM Pro Production and Facility Expansion
In its latest milestone, R&R Murphy has commenced manufacture and supply of Orica’s BM Pro quarry truck, marking a new chapter in Australian manufacturing and innovation. The BM Pro project reflects the strength of the long-standing partnership between the two companies and highlights R&R Murphy’s ability to deliver complex, high-value industrial solutions to global standards.
To support this next phase of growth,
R&R Murphy is expanding its operations with the development of a world-class manufacturing facility — doubling its footprint to over 7,000 m². This major investment increases production capacity and efficiency while reinforcing the company’s commitment to Australian manufacturing and continuous improvement.
From concept to completion, R&R Murphy continues to set the benchmark for quality, capability, and innovation in industrial manufacturing — proudly supporting Orica’s mission to deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable solutions to the global mining and quarrying sectors.
“Whenever we talk about new technologies, we put a lot of emphasis on performance and safety, but for some products, compliance is very important. There is legislation in Europe that will change in 2026, and EBS Neo is fully compliant with this, so we are well-positioned to supply the market with the full range of lead-free detonators next year,” emphasises Vallim.
“There are lot of European standards coming into play, so being one of the first from the industry to have a full end-to-end solution to remove lead from the process is exciting. It’s leading us towards safer and more sustainable blasting solutions across the board,” Goodacre elaborates.
From i-kon™ to WebGen™, and now the EBS Neo range, Orica continues to redefine what’s possible in blasting
“WHEN YOU WORK WITH ORICA DIGITAL SOLUTIONS’ GEOSOLUTIONS, YOU’RE PARTNERING WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW MINING FIRST-HAND”
– DIEGO VALLIM, VICE PRESIDENT OF EUROPE, THE MIDDLE EAST, AND CENTRAL ASIA, ORICA
– driven by innovation, inspired by people, and focused on the future.
UTILISING WASTE OIL
Along with EBS Neo, Orica continues to lower environmental footprints through blasting solutions such as Cyclo™, which optimises mine site fuel through circularity.
This automated processing system enables used oil from heavy machinery to be recycled directly on-site and transformed into raw materials.
The proven technology offers efficient processing and quality output that matches the standard required for manufacturing emulsion explosives.
Cyclo™ is designed to support remote operations where Orica’s sitebased emulsion plants are available.
It can process up to 1,000 litres of used oil per hour and enable significant reductions in the cost and consumption of fuel for explosives.
As well as this, Cyclo™ removes the need for off-site disposal and
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION
Orica values the strong and collaborative partnerships it has with host communities.
The company works closely with, and contributes to, the communities it works in.
Over the last 12 months, it has seen a stronger focus from developing countries wanting companies like Orica to be more involved in community engagement.
“How we transfer local knowledge and technology for these developing countries is really important,” Goodacre outlines.
truck movements through local communities and ensures finished product quality is maintained to the standard required for bulk emulsion manufacturing.
“Waste oil is a big by-product in mining operations, so Orica created Cyclo™ to utilise waste oil instead of fuels,” Goodacre expands.
“It utilises waste oil on the mine site, so it doesn’t have to be exported, disposed of, and treated elsewhere.
“Cyclo™ is really important for trying to be renewable and consuming everything on-site. Waste oil is a big part of that process for our customers, so it has a big impact in terms of boosting ESG,” he acknowledges.
INVESTMENT IN RAW MATERIALS
Since we last spoke to Orica, the
company has remained committed to securing the supply of critical raw materials for the mining industry.
It consistently invests in developing new raw materials and sources of supply to not only improve safety and compliance, but also to have a more flexible supply chain.
“The supply chain has been very challenging in the last few years, not only in the mining sector but across almost all industries,” Vallim reflects.
The company has continued to strengthen its supply chain to ensure it has security of supply.
“Sourcing raw materials is critical for us. Our manufacturing and sourcing footprint gives our customers confidence that we’re able to manage different situations,” Goodacre enlightens.
“We can manage an entire portfolio from a global perspective, not just
one source of supply. The biggest thing Orica is focused on is security supply from multiple sources, not just internally but externally as well.”
Orica also invests in its facilities, such as the company’s main manufacturing plant in Gyttorp, Sweden, which now produces the EBS Neo range of lead-free detonators.
In February this year, Orica additionally invested to expand its global footprint with the acquisition of Cyanco, a US-based leader in the manufacture and distribution of sodium cyanide.
Primarily serving the gold mining industries in the US, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, and Africa, Cyanco
complements Orica’s established mining chemicals business.
“We’ve made some specific investments to expand our strong global footprint, and one of them was the acquisition of Cyanco in the US,” reveals Vallim.
“Partnering with other companies and performing some acquisitions to improve our global footprint is a very important part of our investment.”
SUSTAINABILITY AMBITIONS
In May, Orica established its commitment to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2040, with an interim goal of 60 percent by 2030.
These targets are in support of the company’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
“It’s not just pie in the sky – it’s a sustainable approach with initiatives put in place, and we’re ticking them off from a global framework perspective,” Goodacre sets out.
“We’re on track with these targets and ambitions,” assures Vallim. “In Europe, we recently performed the first blast with low-carbon technical ammonium nitrate (TAN).”
Indeed, Orica successfully partnered with Fertiberia in June 2024 at the Canteras de Santullán quarry in Spain.
This marked a milestone in reducing
the carbon footprint of blasting and mining operations, providing a more sustainable solution compared to conventional TAN.
The blast signified a further step towards the decarbonisation of mining and the first industrial-scale use of a sustainable, low-carbon explosive product.
“It’s another example that enforces our sustainability programme, which is aligned to our ambition of net zero by 2050,” Vallim prides.
DELIVERING GREAT VALUE
One of Orica’s main targets for 2026 is to continue advancing its net zero ambitions and supporting
customers in EMEA with their own ESG ambitions.
“We’re focused on helping customers meet their sustainability goals, specifically around reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the energy transition that everyone’s going through at the moment in the future,” Goodacre shares.
Another of the company’s key priorities next year is to keep accelerating the adoption of the new technologies and solutions in its portfolio.
“We see a lot of value in customers adopting these new technologies because it improves their performance and supports
sustainability and the energy transition,” Vallim urges.
“It comes back to continuing to deliver great value for our customers and the communities we operate in,” Goodacre concludes.
Tel: +351 21 357 1311
Tel: +27 (0)10 596 3101
Corporate.affairs@orica.com www.orica.com
MINING WITH PURPOSE: AMAK’S CONTRIBUTION TO BUILDING SAUDI ARABIA’S MINING FUTURE
Under the leadership of CEO, Geoff Day, Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Company is driving growth in copper, zinc, gold, and iron ore whilst advancing sustainability and community impact. Fully aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the company is positioning the Kingdom’s mining sector as a cornerstone of the nation’s commitment to economic diversification
Writer: Lauren Kania | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
As Saudi Arabia’s largest fully publicly listed mining company, Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Company (AMAK) is increasing production, diversifying into new commodities, and setting the stage for long-term growth in Saudi Arabia’s fast-evolving mining sector.
Incorporated in 2008 and listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in 2022, AMAK produces copper, zinc concentrates, gold, and silver doré in distinct commercial quantities.
After the commissioning of a new plant to process the Moyeath orebody in 2024, the company now has the ability to annually process approximately 1.3 million tonnes (t) of ore.
This provides it with a yearly production in the range of 25-35,000 t of copper concentrate, 60-80,000 t of zinc concentrate, 30-40,000 ounces (oz) of gold doré, and approximately 550,000 oz of silver.
AMAK’s main operation is the Al Masane underground mine, which includes three main orebodies –Saadah, Al-Houra, and Moyeath – alongside its Guyan Gold Mine, located 20km to the east of Al Masane.
“Today, we remain focused on growing within the Kingdom, and we take pride in having our main mining operations concentrated in the Najran region, whilst our exploration sites extend throughout areas such as the Riyadh and Asir regions, reflecting our strategic expansion and vision for sustainable growth,” introduces Geoff Day, CEO.
AMAK differentiates itself from the competition in various ways, one of which is its commodity diversity, as the company is in the process of moving into iron ore, alongside assessing the potential for adding industrial metals.
“Another differentiating factor is our pace of growth. Just a few years ago, we had two mining leases and two exploration licenses;
today, we have two mining leases, two additional mining leases under application, 25 exploration licenses, and 12 reconnaissance licenses,” details Day.
Additionally, the company benefits from the government’s Exploration Enablement Programme, which reimburses approved expenditure of AMAK’s greenfield exploration programme for selected exploration leases.
“AMAK is distinguished by having a strong Board of Directors that combines both local and international expertise, providing the company
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT AMAK’S SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATIONS AND HOW CRUCIAL THESE RELATIONSHIPS ARE TO THE BUSINESS’S SUCCESS?
Geoff Day, CEO: “They’re absolutely critical as our export concentrates move through the Jizan Port and then into international markets. Having an offtake partner gives us stability through to 2026.
“On the domestic side, we’re working with more Saudi suppliers, which makes us less exposed to global disruptions and helps strengthen the Saudi economy both nationally and locally. We currently rely on Saudi-based partners for 75 to 80 percent of our operating costs.”
with a balanced, strategic vision and reinforcing the sustainability of its decisions,” expands Day.
Equally, as AMAK is the first fully publicly listed mining company on Tadawul, it has enhanced its transparency and appeal to local and international investors.
A BALANCED STRATEGIC VISION
Day’s journey through the mining industry started as a result of his fascination with geochemistry and how metals are able to move through the environment.
“That interest took me into exploration and new project developments, and before long, I found myself working across the full cycle – exploration, development, operations, and even mine closures,” he details.
“Over the past 35 years, I’ve had the chance to work on projects across the globe. When the opportunity arose to lead AMAK in 2024, it felt like the right time to bring that international experience into Saudi Arabia, where the mining sector is really coming into its own.”
In today’s environment, mining is proving to be increasingly exciting. Globally, the push for electrification means that the demand for transition metals, such as copper and zinc, is only increasing.
Specifically, in Saudi Arabia, the potential is massive, and the government estimates there’s over USD$2.5 trillion worth of untapped resources in the Arabian Shield.
Additionally, there’s strong government support, new mining laws, and incentives for exploration.
“AMAK IS DISTINGUISHED BY HAVING A STRONG BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT COMBINES BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERTISE, PROVIDING THE COMPANY WITH A BALANCED, STRATEGIC VISION AND REINFORCING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF ITS DECISIONS”
– GEOFF DAY, CEO, AL MASANE AL KOBRA MINING COMPANY
“From where I sit, it’s one of the most supportive mining jurisdictions I’ve ever worked in,” Day insights.
When Day joined in 2024, one of his first steps was to strengthen the company’s management team and tighten execution. In 2025, AMAK increased its exploration budget by four to five times and is actively setting up its own exploration drilling services subsidiary, meaning it will work faster, be more cost-effective, and have the option of offering
services to other explorers and developers entering the Kingdom.
“Our goal for exploration is to extend the life of our current resource base to 15 or even 20 years, giving us the runway to think and plan on a much bigger and efficient scale,” Day explains.
FOCUSED AND NIMBLE
AMAK’s mission of creating longlasting mining projects through innovation and technology ultimately comes down to knowing ore bodies
and making the right choices early.
The Arabian Shield is full of volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits, which can generate significant shareholder value if understood and used wisely.
“At Moyeath, for instance, the ore grades are higher than what we were mining before. That translates into lower unit costs and stronger returns, which means, when combined with the upgrades to our processing capabilities, we’re able to get more out of the same rock,” Day details.
“OUR VISION IS THAT SUCCESS IS MEASURED NOT ONLY BY PRODUCTION AND PROFITS, BUT ALSO BY THE POSITIVE IMPACT AND SUSTAINABLE LEGACY WE LEAVE BEHIND, STRENGTHENING TRUST AND INTEGRATING WITH COMMUNITIES”
– GEOFF DAY, CEO, AL MASANE AL KOBRA MINING COMPANY
Equally, being focused and nimble in terms of new project developments is crucial. Bringing the next generation of AMAK mines into development and production is a key focus for the company as it works to build longlasting projects.
Currently, AMAK is in the detailed planning stage for the development of various projects that will enable it to continue growing and lead as an industry trendsetter in Saudi Arabia.
The Al Masane mine expansion project, which was completed in 2024, included the addition of a new processing plant, thus lifting the company’s processing capacity to 1.3 million t per year and leading to increased zinc output by 80 percent and copper by 40 percent.
At Guyan, AMAK is moving underground, which will allow it to exploit the full gold resource more cost-effectively. Additionally, the
company has applied for a mining license at Khutainah and, once granted, aims to begin producing within three to four months.
“Finally, we’re advancing the Nuham iron ore project to supply feedstock for Saudi cement plants. More exciting is our exploration effort which is showing promising results so far, and we expect to be able to share with the market the latest results in the coming months,” asserts Day.
- Drilling and Blasting
- Granite Quarries
- Crushing Plants and Supply of Aggregates
- Equipment Rental
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Explorations
Bin Harkil is your integrated industrial partner for mining in Saudi Arabia—serving the sector since 1930. Together with leading global partners, we cover the full value chain: geological and geophysical studies, exploration and geotechnical engineering, quarry management and raw-material extraction, drilling & blasting, followed by crushing & screening with fixed and mobile plants, and reliable conveying solutions. We complement operations with heavy-equipment rentals, local fabrication of structures and tanks, engineered wear parts & reverse engineering, and purpose-built buckets and attachments for the toughest applications.
Our turnkey delivery model is built on strict safety standards, documented quality, and cost optimization across the project lifecycle—supporting mining, infrastructure, and quarry projects throughout the Kingdom and the region.
Bin Harkil — We are the Pioneers.
- Conveyor Systems - Steel Fabrication and Tanks
- Wear Parts and Reverse Engineering
- Bucket and Attachments
STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY
Crucial to AMAK’s continued success is the hard work and dedication of its team members and the company actively works to empower and recognise the contributions its employees make through various initiatives.
Specifically, Saudi Arabia offers programmes to empower local employees, and AMAK actively leverages these opportunities in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, in which mining is now a key pillar.
Equally, the company is committed to empowering women and investing in increasing the number of female
professionals working in the mining sector, recognising their vital role in shaping the future of the industry.
“Our workforce exceeds 700 employees (~39% Saudi and growing), and we are proud to see talented women now joining our operations team, pursuing exciting technical careers in this fast-growing industry,” Day points out.
In addition to its employee initiatives, the company also partakes in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.
“Sustainability and community engagement are part of how we work,” details Day.
When it comes to the environment, AMAK is expanding its dry tailings storage, connecting to the national power grid to reduce diesel use by the equivalent of up to 80,000 t of carbon dioxide annually. Earlier this year, the company also launched a project to
reduce raw water consumption by 30 percent.
On the community side of things, the company has partnered with Najran University to support vocational training for students, enabling more young Saudi engineers and operators to join the industry and take a more active role in shaping the Kingdom’s mining future.
“At AMAK, we place great importance on the communities surrounding our operations. We implement numerous awareness initiatives and social programmes, both in the neighbouring areas and across the wider Najran region,” expands Day.
The company is also committed to supporting local content and empowering the people of the region to be true partners in its journey.
“Our vision is that success is measured not only by production
and profits, but also by the positive impact and sustainable legacy we leave behind, strengthening trust and integrating with communities,” he continues.
As AMAK looks towards the future of mining in Saudi Arabia, it has three main goals. These include ramping up production from Moyeath, Guyan, Khutianah, and Nuham, focusing on exploring the company’s extensive mineral exploration leases and bringing the most prospective into development as soon as practically possible, and developing its exploration drilling subsidiary.
In the long term, once the company has consolidated nationally, it will look at international opportunities alongside diversifying its commodity portfolio to complement its strong position in gold, copper, and zinc.
“We also prioritise completing ongoing projects that serve our
environmental objectives, such as connecting to the national power grid, which will help reduce emissions and enhance the sustainability of our operations,” concludes Day.
STRIKING GOLD IN SIERRA LEONE
FG Gold is on a mission to develop Sierra Leone’s premier gold mine, delivering sustainable growth for all stakeholders, employees, and communities. Nicola Asgill, Head of Corporate Development, Sustainability, and Investor Relations, tells us more
Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
As it finds itself in a period of renaissance, Sierra Leone’s mining sector is going from strength to strength.
FG Gold’s Baomahun Gold Project (Baomahun) is a prime example of this resurgence. Set to become Sierra Leone’s premier large-scale commercial gold mine, Baomahun symbolises a series of unprecedented achievements for the country.
FG Gold has been a hallmark of collaboration between a collective of
first-rate African institutions – Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and Fundo Soberano de Angola (FSDEA).
Representing AFC’s first mining investment in Sierra Leone and FSDEA’s first investment in the country, FG Gold signifies a vote of confidence in Sierra Leone’s mining and economic potential.
In addition, FG Gold has partnered with global leading firms such as
FG Gold Achieves Financial Close on US$330 Million Senior Debt Financing for its Baomahun Gold Project
FG GOLD LIMITED (“FG Gold”), Sierra Leone’s premier large scale gold mining company, is pleased to announce it has achieved financial close on its US$330 million Senior Debt Financing with Africa Finance Corporation (“AFC”) and African Export-Import Bank (“Afreximbank”). The Senior Secured Facilities complete the financing for the development and construction of the Baomahun Gold Project (“Baomahun” or “Project”) and combine with AFC’s US$100 million in gold stream and mezzanine investments for a total commitment of US$430 million by leading African Development Finance Institutions (“DFIs”).
This senior debt financing ensures full development of the Baomahun Gold Project, by enabling FG Gold to significantly ramp up construction of key project infrastructure, mobilize resources and continue its steady path to first gold pour. FG Gold is now poised to advance the project toward production and deliver long-term value for its shareholders, local communities, and stakeholders in Sierra Leone.
The development of FG Gold’s Baomahun Gold Project is led by Boxmoor Au and Africa Minerals and Metals Process Platform (“A2MP”), supported by a team composed largely of Africans and bolstered by bestin-class partners such as Lycopodium, Knight Piesold, CrossBoundary Energy (“CBE”) and Komatsu/PanAfrican Equipment. This collaborative effort ensures that the project benefits from a deep well of local knowledge, technical expertise, and global industry experience.
“WE ARE THRILLED TO HAVE REACHED FINANCIAL CLOSE ON OUR SENIOR DEBT, COMPLETING THE FINANCING FOR THE BAOMAHUN GOLD PROJECT. WE ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP AN AFRICAN ASSET, BAOMAHUN, INTO A TOP-TIER, TRANSFORMATIONAL ASSET WITH THE SUPPORT AND FINANCING FROM AFRICA’S LEADING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. THIS TRANSACTION PROVES THAT AFRICA CAN SUCCESSFULLY FINANCE AND DEVELOP ITS OWN ASSETS AND IS A TESTAMENT TO THE SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT THAT STRONG INTRA-AFRICAN COLLABORATION CAN BRING”
“The Baomahun Gold Project represents a milestone for Sierra Leone’s mining sector and a clear signal of the confidence that respected African institutions place in our investment environment. This financing marks a new era of responsible, community-oriented mineral development. We welcome FG Gold’s commitment to local participation, skills development, and shared prosperity, and we look forward to the transformational impact Baomahun will deliver for generations to come”
– Honourable Julius D. Mattai, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Sierra Leone
The financing and development of the Baomahun Gold Project embodies the innovation and creativity that defines FG Gold as a trail blazer:
First project financed mining asset in Sierra Leone, a landmark achievement for the country AFC’s first mining investment in Sierra Leone
First gold streaming financing facility deployed in Sierra Leone
One of the largest mining & infrastructure projects in Sierra Leone at over US$600 million
Fundo Soberano de Angola’s (“FSDEA”) first investment in Sierra Leone
Afreximbank’s most recent mining investment in Sierra Leone
Largest investment and hybrid power project by CrossBoundary Energy in Sierra Leone to date
Hybrid power solution financed off balance sheet by CrossBoundary Energy
First equipment financing facility by Komatsu Financial Europe
First mining project committing 1% to its Community Development Fund
First project in Sierra Leone by leading engineering firm Lycopodium as EPCM contractor
Lycopodium, Knight Piésold, and CrossBoundary Energy to ensure Baomahun is developed into a worldclass asset.
Baomahun is the inaugural project in Sierra Leone for top-ranked engineering firm Lycopodium as FG Gold’s engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contractor.
As the company approaches first gold pour, it is making great and steady strides in construction and development.
Process plant development is progressing steadily – the on-site quarry, concrete batching plant, and aggregate crushing plant have been instrumental in the concrete works for the carbon-in-leach (CIL) ring beams and ongoing civil works for the ball and semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mills area, and ground works on the thickener area.
The construction of the new
modern camp, complete with facilities such as offices, a medical bay, gym, laundry, and water treatment plant, is nearing completion and works on an administration block are also far advanced.
In addition, the Tailings Storage Facility site has been cleared, with work progressing on the access road and decant return trench, whilst areas for a solar farm, power plant, and emulsion plant have been cleared ahead of construction and development activities.
One of the largest gold mines currently under development on the African continent, Baomahun will be a top-tier asset and the leading gold mine in Sierra Leone upon completion.
“With current trends in the gold market, Baomahun will put Sierra Leone on the map as a gold producer and
strengthen the country’s position economically,” opens Nicola Asgill, Head of Corporate Development, Sustainability, and Investor Relations for FG Gold.
Indeed, this project is a testament to what can be achieved through strong partnerships and collaboration within the mining ecosystem, particularly with the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL).
AN EVOLVING INDUSTRY
Beyond FG Gold, the nation has seen a resurgence in other mining commodities such as iron ore, with Marampa Mines Limited and Leone Rock Metal Group continuing to thrive.
“Another key highlight the re-emergence of Sierra Rutile as a Leonean-owned company
continuing its 50+ year legacy,” Asgill adds.
These all represent a muchwelcomed boom in the country’s mining sector following a tumultuous period consisting of commodity price crashes, outbreak of Ebola virus disease, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, the government’s continued focus on creating an
enabling regulatory framework is intended to drive further investment in the sector.
GoSL’s completion of the Nationwide Airborne Geophysical Survey (NAGS) produced crucial technical information, creating a high-resolution map of Sierra Leone’s geology and mineral resources using magnetic and radiometric data.
“WE BELIEVE THE BENEFITS AND OUTCOMES OF BAOMAHUN SHOULD BE MAXIMISED FOR SIERRA LEONEANS AND WE CONTINUE TO STRIVE TOWARDS THE GOAL OF HAVING A 100 PERCENT SIERRA LEONEAN WORKFORCE”
– NICOLA ASGILL, HEAD OF CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, AND INVESTOR RELATIONS, FG GOLD
Transforming Mining Operations and Driving Sustainable Growth
As your trusted partner in drilling, blasting, and explosives management, we at Roy Global Limited are here to do more than provide services – we build solutions that empower industries
If you’re looking to power your next project with Sierra Leone’s most trusted leader in mining services and operations, Roy Global Limited (RGL) is the company for you.
At RGL, we are actively redefining mining operations with solutions that combine innovation and reliability. From precision drilling and blasting to comprehensive explosives management, our expertise drives operational excellence in the country’s crucial mining sector.
Founded in 2011, we have evolved from a transport and logistics provider to an industryleading company and trusted partner to major players within mining. Our flagship projects in Tonkolili and Marampa serve as a testament to our commitment to excellence and long-term sustainability. With our mission to revolutionise
mining services through precision, safety, and innovative solutions that exceed expectations, RGL is proud to make a difference and provide world-class offerings to our clients.
Our vision is to be the benchmark for excellence in mining services across West Africa, delivering sustainable growth for stakeholders and communities. RGL achieves this through the hard work and continuous dedication of our various offices in Tonkolili, Kingho Mining Company (KMC), Lunsar, Marampa Mines (MML), Port Loko, CTC Mining, Quarries, Pavi Fort, and Bo/Mile 38, Solar Nitro/ FGG.
All these locations work to deliver value by combining innovation, safety, and reliability at every stage of the mining process.
We offer key benefits to our customers, including efficiency at scale with cutting-edge techniques, unwavering safety with industry-leading protocols to protect people and assets, and custom solutions designed to meet the unique needs of every client.
WHY CHOOSE RGL?
With a proven track record and flagship operations in some of Sierra Leone’s largest mining sites, a commitment to responsible practices, and a dedicated team of experts delivering personalised solutions, RGL truly differentiates itself.
Our drilling and blasting services comprise employing advanced techniques to deliver precise, efficient resource extraction whilst minimising environmental impact. The explosives management team oversees the secure transportation, storage, and application of explosives with a focus on safety and compliance. For logistics solutions, we streamline operations with tailored logistics strategies that optimise your supply chain and reduce costs.
One such example of our work is the recent successful blasting operation for FG Gold at the Baomahun project in southern Sierra Leone, completed in June 2025.
The operation, which was carried out on a schedule and in full alignment with technical specifications, achieved exceptional fragmentation and operational precision and was completed with zero injuries and no reported environmental incidents. As the Baomahun project is one of the key exploration and development sites in the country, RGL’s involvement highlights our growing role as a trusted partner in Sierra Leone’s mining value chain.
RGL received praise for the outcome of the operation, especially regarding our professional approach and high standards of execution.
As shown with the success of this project, we remain committed to our mission of transforming mining services in Sierra Leone through innovative, efficient, and safety-driven solutions. As the mining landscape continues to evolve, RGL stands ready to support partners with dependable expertise and cutting-edge operational delivery.
WORKING BEYOND THE MINES
In addition to the myriad work and services that RGL provides to West Africa, the company also prioritises corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to better the communities in which we work and the future of the industry.
In July 2025, we helped advance youth mining skills through practical and insightful training sessions for interns from Fourah Bay College, focusing on drilling and blasting operations. The initiative provided the trainees with handson experience of the fundamental principles of drilling patterns, blast design, explosive types, safety protocols, and real-time field techniques. The students gained both theoretical and practical knowledge essential for future roles
in the industry. The sessions highlight RGL’s commitment to capacity building and youth development within the ever-crucial sector. Equally, in June 2025, we stepped out of our mining boots and into sneakers to help push back on the use of plastic for World Environment Day.
We joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a group of changemakers to confront the growing challenge of the increasing tide of plastic waste. RGL supported the event not only
financially but also physically, by participating in the symbolic Green Marathon, held in partnership with Orange Sierra Leone. Running alongside hundreds of others, we affirmed with every step how progress and preservation don’t have to be at odds.
As a leading mining services company, we recognise that we operate in a space where environmental responsibility is essential. RGL’s daily work intertwines land, water, and the livelihoods of everyday people. With that comes a responsibility to ensure the value we create doesn’t come at a cost to the communities or ecosystems we serve.
RGL was more than proud to participate in World Environment Day, as it aligns with our CSR vision to support national development efforts through environmental awareness, community engagement, and collaborative action. CSR is more than just a box to tick; it is a bridge between our business goals and the larger goals of sustainability, public safety, and shared prosperity.
As we continue to look towards the future, RGL is not only striving to continue carving a name in mining services as a trusted partner in drilling, blasting, and explosives management, but also working to make our vision a reality – growing by giving more than we take.
CORE VALUES
• Innovation – Driving progress through advanced techniques and technologies.
• Safety – Maintaining the highest standards in everything we do.
• Excellence – Consistently delivering quality, precision, and client satisfaction.
• Collaboration – Building lasting partnerships with clients and communities.
• Diversity – Embracing inclusivity to foster innovation, growth, and collaboration.
• Investors in people – We intentionally drive the personal and professional growth of every team member.
(JORC)-compliant resource of almost six million ounces (oz) at a grade of approximately two grams per tonne (g/t), Baomahun is making history for Sierra Leone.
Once it reaches full operation, the project is anticipated to produce around 150,000 oz of gold annually for FG Gold, with the potential to grow production up to 200,000 oz.
“This will make it a sizeable African gold operation and a major contributor to Sierra Leone’s economic growth,” Asgill explains.
Baomahun is set to contribute roughly 10 percent to the country’s
GDP. Aside from this economic benefit, job creation will be significant through both direct and indirect employment and additional economic advantages will accrue via multiplier effects throughout FG Gold’s supply chain and contractor ecosystem.
“We are excited about the project’s social impact, particularly its ability to deliver tangible social contributions as we are setting aside a percentage of net revenues to benefit our host communities” she excites.
Indeed, FG Gold has committed to contributing one percent of revenues to its Community Development Fund, which enables it to actively invest in community-led initiatives in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and more.
employment and livelihood enhancement,” she highlights.
With mining projects of this size previously only required to contribute 0.5 percent of revenues, FG Gold was the first company to commit one percent before it became a regulatory requirement, setting the precedent and establishing its position as a pioneer of the industry.
“We were the first company to make this kind of commitment –even before it became a regulatory requirement,” Asgill prides.
Indeed, FG Gold’s project-affected
FG GOLD – PURPOSE AND VALUES
PURPOSE
The company’s purpose is to sustainably produce valuable resources for society whilst protecting and uplifting the places in which it operates.
FG Gold seeks to build and maintain rigorous health, safety, and sustainability principles and leave a legacy that is transformative for host communities.
VALUES
FG Gold’s values are the key principles that drive the business and guide decision-making – they are central to its culture and express who it is as a company.
Shared values ensure the FG Gold team – from leadership to on-site employees – work together to achieve a common goal.
Skills development and progressing the livelihoods of local residents is a continuous and ongoing process for FG Gold.
“We consistently embed residents from our project-affected communities into different facets of our operations and will continue to do so,” Asgill outlines.
The company also purchases locally sourced foods for its staff, employs youth and artisanal miners, provides training for the area’s farmers, and earmarks certain
contracts for local community suppliers.
“The transformation of our local communities is FG Gold’s most important mission,” she asserts.
LOCAL FIRST
FG Gold’s dedication to local communities is further demonstrated by its recent execution of a Local Content Implementation Agreement with the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA).
“The Local Content Implementation Agreement pledges FG Gold to implementing its Local Content Plan. The agreement is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to a localfirst approach,” Asgill tells us.
Therefore, the company’s top
priority for sourcing employees, suppliers, and contractors is always project-affected communities, followed by Sierra Leoneans from other regions.
Existing Sierra Leonean staff are always prioritised when it comes to promotions and career advancement opportunities.
As a result, FG Gold is proud to have a workforce that is over 90 percent Sierra Leonean, about 55 percent of which hail from project-affected communities.
For highly technical roles where local talent is not readily available, the company has implemented training programmes and schemes for local knowledge transfer.
As FG Gold progresses the
development of Baomahun, it hopes to also implement longer-term plans such as partnerships with universities for internship and graduate training programmes and technology transfer initiatives.
“We believe the benefits and outcomes of Baomahun should be maximised for Sierra Leoneans and we continue to strive towards the goal of having a 100 percent Sierra Leonean workforce,” she emphasises.
RIGOROUS SAFETY STANDARDS
In terms of safety, FG Gold is proud to have continued its streak of zero lost time injury (LTI) and fatal incidents, with over five million LTI-free hours logged to date.
ABOUT US:
CONEX Energy Sierra Leone (CONEX (SL)) specialises in the importation, marketing, and distribution of petroleum products whilst providing high-quality products, services, and solutions for business and personal needs.
We are proud of our strong commitment to social and economic growth and strive to meet the diverse requirements of our valued clients, driving progress and prosperity across the country.
In November 2021, Conex Energy acquired TotalEnergies’ affiliates in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As one of Sierra Leone’s leading oil marketing companies, CONEX (SL) caters to both corporate and retail customers in diverse sectors, including mining, of which FG Gold is one of our key customers.
In addition to delivering bulk fuel and lubricants to clients’ sites nationwide, CONEX (SL) also imports and distributes Jet A1 aviation fuel.
At the Kissy and Lungi depots, our state-of-theart facilities have a combined storage capacity of 22,000 metric tonnes (MT) of (AGO)/diesel,
16,000MT PMS/petrol, and 2,700MT Jet A1, with an additional 2,000MT storage capacity to be added in Q4 2025.
Our dedication to international health, safety, security, environment, and quality (HSSEQ) standards and emphasis on the welfare of communities and people make CONEX (SL) more environmentally conscious whilst providing value to its stakeholders.
OUR SERVICES:
AVIATION: We import and distribute Jet A1 aviation fuel, providing a critical and specialised aviation service in Sierra Leone. We offer service level 1 fuelling at the Freetown International Airport (FNA), are Joint Inspection Group (JIG) certified, and inspected regularly to ensure standards are maintained.
BULK FUEL SUPPLY: CONEX (SL) caters to diverse sectors, from mining, industrial, and manufacturing to logistics, construction, agriculture, and fisheries. With a dedicated fleet of bulk road vehicles (BRVs), we have the capacity to deliver an unlimited quantity of petroleum products to mining sites and other sectors nationwide. In addition, CONEX (SL) provides its clients with the necessary support infrastructure, with fuel farms in the field of operations, enabling our valued clients to access petroleum products seamlessly. These include storage tanks, dispensers, flow metres, and filtration systems.
RETAIL OUTLETS: We have an extensive network of retail stations nationwide. This stands as a prominent testament to our unwavering presence and commitment to delivering top-notch fuel solutions across the country. As customers explore our network of filling stations, they will discover more than just a place to refuel but also a dependable partner in their journey, a commitment to quality, and a dedication to making each moment they spend with CONEX (SL) comfortable and convenient. Our stations generally offer a minimart, restrooms, ATM and
mobile money services, lubricants, and cooking gas for sale.
CONEX FUEL CARD: Conex Fuel Card simplifies the fuelling process. With comprehensive nationwide coverage, the card offers customers an array of cutting-edge management tools, ensuring they can track every aspect of their fuel consumption. In a world where efficiency and precision matter, Conex Fuel Card & Services is your trusted partner.
LUBRICANTS: In partnership with TotalEnergies, CONEX (SL) is the sole authorised distributor of TotalEnergies Lubricants in Sierra Leone. Its premium lubricants encompass a wide spectrum of oils, greases, and specialised products tailored for a diverse range of industries. Delivering high-quality lubricants is a critical component of ensuring the smooth operation of clients’ machinery, and CONEX (SL) is there to make that happen.
We have proven ourselves at CONEX (SL) to be a professional and reliable partner with a track record of delivering results and prioritising our customers’ successes.
Trust in our expertise and dedication to not just meet your expectations, but surpass them. Contact CONEX (SL) today for exceptional quality and outstanding service.
ESG – A SOCIAL LICENCE TO OPERATE
As FG Gold believes responsible gold mining plays a crucial role in supporting sustainable development and delivering considerable benefits, it has developed a robust environmental, social, and governance (ESG) outlook.
With ESG principles central to the business, it is committed to respecting the human rights and well-being of employees, contractors, and communities.
Since inception, FG Gold has collaborated with host communities to prioritise the needs of local people and invest in community projects.
“Our social licence to operate ranks paramount to everything else, having established a true partnership model with our communities,” Asgill insists.
“This streak is no small feat and is one of the longest ongoing streaks on an African mining project,” Asgill adds.
The safety of not only staff but surrounding communities is of supreme importance to the company, whose mission to achieve zero harm underpins its safety approach at every level of its operations.
“We have achieved this major milestone largely by making safety a core part of our culture. It is the first thing discussed on site each morning and our Monday site-wide toolbox talks delve into details on specific safety issues,” she relays.
In addition, employees hold each other accountable for adhering to safety protocols and incorporating safe practices in their daily activities.
“We encourage behaviours and implement processes that promote the safety and health of all personnel and the communities associated with our operations,” Asgill assures.
Furthermore, all on-site operations must pass safety protocols – any activity that doesn’t pass is cancelled
or postponed until it adheres to these regulations.
“It is quite stringent, but this is necessary to maintain a safe workplace,” Asgill insists.
Emergency preparedness is also paramount to FG Gold given the highrisk nature of many of its activities, meaning it has an active emergency response team in place who practice regular drills to ensure the safety of all.
In addition to tangible, site-based protocols, FG Gold’s commitment to safety goes much deeper to the extent that it is intrinsically intertwined within its culture.
Regular communication and reporting are in place such as monthly safety reviews and performance tracking, weekly meetings on unsafe acts and conditions, and digital safety dashboards to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs).
On top of this, the company is in constant pursuit of improvement through monthly safety audits and inspections and annual performance reviews.
Maximise on-site safety. Christensen
About Epiroc
Epiroc is a vital part of a sustainable society and a global productivity partner for mining and infrastructure customers. We develop and provide innovative and safe equipment, consumables, and services for drilling and rock excavation. Our solutions cater to a wide range of applications, including surface and underground mining, construction, well drilling, and geotechnical projects. Additionally, we provide world-class service and other aftermarket support along with advanced solutions for automation, digitalization, and electrification.
Rod Handling System (RHS) for core drilling.
Safety is always a top concern. Keeping the operator out of harms way whilst performing core drilling is not always easy. This is why Epiroc has developed the Rod Handling System (RHS). The Christensen RHS enables hands-free rod tripping throughout the drilling cycle. This means there is no need to manually add or remove rods by hand.
Secondly, thanks to hands-free rod tripping, the operator assistant uses an assistant control panel instead of manually adding the rods. This increases safety and reduces fatigue for the operator assistant. Additionally, there is no need to manually add rods when threading — this totally removes the need to perform a potentially dangerous activity which dramatically increases safety.
Main benefits
• Hands-free rod tripping throughout the drilling cycle
• Less fatigue for the operator assistant.
• Minimises injuries during the rod-loading process.
“We also have a well-equipped clinic and ambulance on-site,” she continues.
In this way, the company demonstrates its commitment to creating a safe, comfortable, and wellequipped environment for its people.
ENABLING CLEAN ENERGY
As a company that believes integrating sustainability into mining is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a necessity, FG Gold is carving a path towards a clean energy future.
“Clean energy is a key pillar of our sustainable mining ethos,” Asgill confirms.
As such, the company has partnered with energy developer CrossBoundary Energy for a hybrid power solution consisting of 33 megawatts (MW) of solar energy, 21 MW of heavy fuel oil (HFO), and a battery energy storage system with a capacity of 13.8 MW.
The solar solution will be one of the
“BAOMAHUN IS ONE OF THE LARGEST MINING AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS IN SIERRA LEONE. WE HAVE SET A STRONG FINANCING PRECEDENT THAT THE COUNTRY CAN LEVERAGE FOR OTHER INVESTMENT AND FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES”
– NICOLA ASGILL, HEAD OF CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, AND INVESTOR RELATIONS, FG GOLD
largest in Sierra Leone and is expected to save over 23,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
As the mine expands, FG Gold plans to move towards other green solutions such as connecting to the Côte d’Ivoire-Liberia-Sierra Leone-Guinea (CLSG) electricity transmission line and potentially looking into hydropower solutions.
Sustainability was a key project discussed at Sierra Leone Mining
Week and Exhibition, which took place in April this year, where Asgill hosted a panel discussing the advancement of clean energy within the sector.
She reflected upon how two crucial aspects – financing and offtake agreements – are vital to advancing clean energy, with mining companies often the solution for both.
“We can leverage our balance sheets, operations, and projects
Driving innovation through diverse geospatial solutions and services
Integrated Geo-information and Environmental Management Services (INTEGEMS)
Limited is a dynamic Sierra Leonean-owned multidisciplinary consultancy that integrates innovative Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing technologies with geo-information, environmental management and research expertise and experience to provide innovative, high-impact solutions for both public and private sector clients.
Services We Offer:
• Environmental Management
We are a leader in delivering comprehensive Environmental Management services, with extensive experience and proven expertise in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments. Our approach integrates indepth baseline studies, effective stakeholder engagement, strategic safeguard policy planning, and rigorous compliance auditing. We support sustainable project development across multiple sectors by planning and implementing robust Environmental Management Systems (EMS) that ensure long-term environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance.
• Geo-information & Remote Sensing INTEGEMS delivers end-to-end, customized geospatial services, from data collection and mapping to spatial analysis and modelling, using advanced GIS applications and platforms such as ESRI, ENVI, and ERDAS Imagine. We support industries including mining, forestry, land-use planning, construction and environmental monitoring with actionable geographic insights.
• Drone Mapping & Topographic Surveys
Founded in 2011 and incorporated in 2019, INTEGEMS operates from its head office in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and delivers services across various sectors, including academic, scientific, industrial, government and community development. Our flexible structure, built on strategic partnerships and expert networks, enables us to deliver high-quality, cost-effective services tailored to our clients’ needs.
• Disaster Risk Management
With certified drone pilots and Sierra Leone Civil Aviation (SLCAA ) registration, INTEGEMS provides drone mapping services, utilising state-of-the-art drones for projects requiring high image resolution, multispectral imagery and survey-grade geo-positional accuracy. We provide a holistic end-to-end solution, from flight planning and aerial imagery capture to advanced processing and analytics enabling our clients to get the most value out of their data.
• Research, Monitoring & Evaluation (RM&E)
Our robust RM&E services help organizations measure performance, assess impact, and improve outcomes. We use advanced tools like to conduct baseline, midline, and endline assessments, KAP surveys, and more, applying both qualitative and quantitative approaches to support learning and accountability.
• Web Design, Development & Hosting
INTEGEMS designs, develops, and hosts custom websites and data platforms using CMS tools like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. We offer full-stack services including web GIS development, database administration, e-commerce integration, and SEO ensuring digital solutions are functional, secure, and scalable.
Why Choose INTEGEMS?
We develop early warning systems, disaster risk reduction strategies, and forecasting technologies, helping communities and institutions to minimize risk and build resilience. Our work is grounded in climate data, GIS, and integrated information systems for rapid and reliable disaster preparedness.
• Training
& Capacity Building
Our training programs focus on practical, skill-based learning across all service areas. With tailored content, real-time evaluations, and custom manuals, we empower clients and communities to apply new knowledge effectively.
We blend technical excellence with local insight, ensuring all our solutions are grounded, innovative, and impactful. From concept to completion, we deliver value, foster sustainability, and drive positive change.
Visit us in Freetown at our office located at 8H Technical Institute Drive, Congo Cross, or online at www.integemsgroup.com . For more information on how we can support your project, feel free to email us at info@integems.com.
SOCIAL INITIATIVES
Aside from its Community Development Fund, FG Gold has several established social initiatives for its project-affected communities:
• Infrastructure upgrades – The company has invested in several infrastructure initiatives including construction of the new St. Josephine Bakhita Primary School in Kundoma, renovations and upgrades to the Baomahun Health Centre in 2022, the ongoing construction of the Baomahun Community Centre, and development of water boreholes and maintenance of local water systems.
• Valunia Education Foundation Charity – Established by the company in 2021, FG Gold sponsors tertiary education scholarships through the charity for students from the Valunia Chiefdom pursuing degrees in STEM subjects.
• Road upgrades – FG Gold has upgraded the 66km Matotoka Road which has eased limitations on transportation and movement and provided crucial market linkages for local farmers and traders.
for capital to develop clean energy projects as we have done at FG Gold,” she explains.
Asgill went on to examine how mining projects as high-volume offtakers can de-risk energy projects, with mines potentially serving as central nodes through which to expand the grid and drive clean energy uptake.
Elsewhere, FG Gold maintains stringent environmental regulations and adheres to international standards when it comes to projectrelated and mining activities.
“We ensure we have the appropriate mitigation measures in place, whilst we seek to preserve biodiversity within our project footprint and limit our harm to the environment and any downstream effects on local communities,” Asgill prides.
AN EVERLASTING LEGACY
With corporate social responsibility (CSR) at the heart of FG Gold’s operations, the company has taken steps to leave a legacy
that is transformative for its host communities.
“It is important to remember that we are operating on a lease in the sense that communities have leased their ancestral land to us for pivotal projects such as Baomahun,” Asgill urges.
Therefore, FG Gold recognises its duty to return this land to them significantly transformed for the better.
To deliver on this paramount responsibility, the company has developed a rounded approach to ensure it leaves a positive legacy.
The company places great emphasis on environmental stewardship as it seeks to minimise local impact, protect native biodiversity, and reduce climaterelated risks.
With the Baomahun site home to unique local biodiversity, FG Gold’s rigorous Environmental, Social, and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) and environmental management systems ensure careful oversight and protection of local ecosystems and habitats at an international standard.
FG Gold’s robust environmental management approach has
received endorsement from the regulatory authorities, with all environmental licences and permits for the project achieved.
Alongside environmental priorities, it is the project-affected communities who are at the centre.
“Firstly, we have ensured that Baomahun does not encroach on the social norms of our host communities,” she highlights.
With policies that go beyond its Community Development Fund, the company’s social initiatives have been designed to ensure that any benefits afforded to local populations are not just immediate but generational.
In this way, the hallmark of
FG Gold’s entire approach is collaboration with host communities.
“We view our communities as partners in the success of Baomahun,” she adds.
Beyond just the physical transformation of local areas, the company understands that Baomahun’s legacy will live on through education, healthcare, gender equality, and economic empowerment.
“Even when FG Gold leaves Baomahun, our communities will continue to thrive and bustle. We are achieving this by placing sustainable mining at the heart of all that we do,” Asgill proudly asserts.
EQUIPMENT RENTAL, HAULAGE, AND LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS
About Us:
HOA Logistics was founded in December 2024, with a vision to become a leading provider of equipment rental, haulage, and logistics solutions in Sierra Leone and beyond. We specialize in delivering reliable heavy equipment, efficient haulage services, and tailored logistics support to mining and construction companies.
Our team ensures timely delivery, operational efficiency, and exceptional service quality— making us a trusted partner in the mining and construction sectors.
Our Services:
Heavy Equipment and Truck Rental Excavators, graders, compactors, loaders, cranes, forklifts, trucks, water bowsers, and fuel bowsers. Haulage and Mining Support Transportation of minerals, aggregates, and other bulk materials for mining operations.
Road Construction and Earthworks Building and maintaining access roads for mines and large-scale construction projects.
info@hoa-logistics.com | mansfat1196@gmail.com
A BRIGHT FUTURE
As FG Gold mines its current reserves, it will continue its exploration activities with a view to facilitate additional oz to its resource and extend the mine’s current 12.5-year lifespan.
“Our current mine footprint sits in a small portion of our 125 square kilometre concession, and we have only explored 1 kilometre (km) of our 16.5 km strike length,” Asgill details.
In the medium to long-term, the company also believes that beneficiation is a crucial step not just for FG Gold but for the entire Sierra Leonean mining sector.
“Value-addition could have an exponential effect both economically and socially,” she excites.
As such, FG Gold plans to pursue opportunities for value addition prior to export.
Reflecting on the success of the company over the years, Asgill points
out how FG Gold’s ability to innovate has often set it apart.
Baomahun exemplifies this innovative prowess as the first mining project of its kind in Sierra Leone to utilise a stream financing instrument.
As the first project-financed mine in Sierra Leone, FG Gold’s Baomahun funding package incorporates several types of instruments all carefully crafted to mitigate different project risks such as off-balance sheet energy arrangements and stream and equipment financing, alongside insurance-backed facilities.
“We opted out of the traditional junior mining pathway and instead focused on project finance, which maximises value in the long run.”
The company also completed several community infrastructure investments including construction of the St Josephine Bakhita Primary School and upgrade of the Baomahun Health Centre, before completing
its definitive feasibility studies –something most mining businesses do not typically do.
The company anticipates great things for the future as it continues to steadily develop Baomahun and remains on track for the immanent first gold pour.
“Baomahun is one of the largest mining and infrastructure investments in Sierra Leone. We have set a strong financing precedent that the country can leverage for other investment and financing opportunities,” she confidently concludes.
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SUSTAINABLE BEYOND MINING
Translating as ‘cornerstone’ in Hebrew, Rosh Pinah Zinc is, indeed, the cornerstone of Namibian mining, working to achieve its vision to become the nation’s most innovative, sustainable, and safe underground mining operation. Alex Mayrick, General Manager, outlines how the company is efficiently extracting minerals in partnership with its stakeholders
Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
Spanning 400 years, Namibia’s mining landscape boasts a rich and multifaceted history.
Whilst evidence of copper smelting by Indigenous peoples predates European arrival, modern commercial mining operations began in the mid-1800s with the opening of the Matchless Mine and the Pomona Mine in 1856 and 1864, respectively.
Today, Namibia’s mining sector is
widely considered the backbone of the nation’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP and attracting widespread foreign investment.
As such, the country has emerged as a major global producer of diamonds, uranium, gold, zinc, and copper, amongst other minerals and precious metals.
Mining has also created numerous employment
opportunities across the region, providing livelihoods for a large percentage of the population.
The industry also contributes to national and local government funding through corporate taxes, royalties, and export levies, which are often used to finance public and community development initiatives such as schools and healthcare facilities.
In certain regions, investment in the mining sector has spurred the development of critical national infrastructure – including roads, ports, and utilities – from which many have benefitted.
It’s important to note that, as Namibia’s economy is heavily dependent on mining, the government is also actively pursuing strategies to future-proof the industry and bring it in line with modern global requirements.
For example, it is investing in the long-term sustainability of mining by promoting eco-friendly activities and is prioritising environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices due to the advantages afforded by safer, greener, and more efficient mining techniques.
Nevertheless, Namibia’s mining sector has not been without its challenges, which include fluctuating commodity prices and a growing
need for a skilled workforce.
Efforts are being made to address these factors through policies promoting sustainable development –such as the Minerals Policy of Namibia – alongside investment in national workforce expansion programmes and collaboration with Namibian educational institutions to promote local skills development.
One company operating within this complex landscape is Rosh Pinah Zinc (RPZ) – primarily a zinc mining business – whose preeminent and lasting contribution to Namibia’s mining legacy extends beyond economic benefits, shaping the country’s reputation as a stable and resource-rich region.
A BRIEF HISTORY
A long-standing player in Namibia’s mining sector, RPZ has roots tracing back to the early 1960s when the Rosh Pinah ore deposit was discovered,
comprising rich base metals.
The mine itself was established in 1969, following the discovery of highgrade zinc and lead deposits in what is now the Tsau Khaeb National Park – formerly known as Sperrgebiet – in southern Namibia.
The site subsequently became one of the country’s most important sources of zinc concentrate, contributing significantly to the national economy.
However, in 1993, the global market price of zinc fell substantially, and the mine began making a loss – forcing it into liquidation.
It was subsequently acquired by Ispat Iscor Limited (formerly Iscor Limited) through its mining division, Kumba Resources (Kumba), which acquired a 95 percent interest and management control. Kumba also partnered with PE Minerals (Pty) Ltd, which ceded the mining rights.
In 2011, Glencore – the global
THE METALS MINED AT RPZ
Predominantly, RPZ’s operations comprise the processing of lead and zinc ore. Considered important within various contexts, the numerous uses of these metals are wide-reaching, as is their impact on everyday life.
Zinc
A chemical element, zinc is a brittle transition metal at room temperature but malleable at higher temperatures. It is also known for its anti-corrosive properties.
An important metal with many applications, it is primarily used as galvanising material for steel structures like bridges and buildings since it provides more superior protection against corrosion than iron or steel.
Zinc oxide can be found in cosmetics like sunscreen lotions because it helps absorb ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Lead
Lead is a heavy metal that is denser than most common materials. Soft and malleable, it has a relatively low melting point.
Lead has been used throughout history for a variety of purposes – in ancient Rome, it was used to make water pipes and acted as a component of solder. The metal was also used in medieval Europe to make stained glass windows. Today, it is predominately used for producing car batteries, radiation shields, bullets, pipes, bearing alloys, solder, and can be used to protect electrical components such as cables and wires against corrosion.The material is also commonly used in paints due to its ability to resist corrosion.
commodity trading firm – acquired a controlling interest in RPZ which it subsequently sold to Trevali Mining Corporation in 2017.
In June 2023, funds advised by Appian Capital Advisory Limited (Appian) – the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds specialising in metals, mining, and adjacent industries –acquired RPZ.
Appian has a global track record in responsible resource extraction, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.
Throughout the changes in ownership and operational structure over recent decades, RPZ has maintained a similar capacity. However, Appian’s acquisition and investment in the asset is now unlocking its full potential through the development of the RP2.0 expansion project, which is expected to nearly double the mine’s output.
“Even amidst ongoing change, RPZ has consistently produced high-grade zinc and lead concentrates, making a
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Reinforcing Steel Concrete (Pty) Ltd (RSC) provides total reinforcing solutions to the construction, civil, mining, fencing, agricultural and engineering business sectors. This includes delivery, cutting, bending, and wiring into position of steel reinforcing products.
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RSC operates to international standards and is ISO 9001, ISO 14000 and OHSAS 18000 compliant and certified.
Original Equipment Manufacturers – Mining, Civil and Construction Industry RSC includes the following industry-related companies: BRC Mesh Reinforcing, Steeledale Mesh, and RSH Mining & Duraset Strata Control.
All mining product manufacturers are subsidiaries of RSC. It has a proud legacy of successfully conducting business in the African mining industry for over 40 years.
Both BRC Mesh Reinforcing (situated in Vereeniging, Gauteng, South Africa) and Steeledale Mesh (situated in Meyerton, Gauteng, South Africa) are industry leaders, producing and delivering customer-focused products and solutions, locally and internationally, to major mining and construction houses.
The businesses are committed to sustainable development by finding solutions that are good for the environment, relevant stakeholder communities and employees.
Operating to international standards, both mesh manufacturing facilities prioritise the research and development of new products, resulting in recognition as an industry innovator. Partnering closely with stakeholders and customers is fundamental to this process. The two companies employ the latest plant and technology in the manufacture of their products. This capability, combined with excellent management and staff, has proven to be a very successful formula.
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BRC and Steeledale manufacture and supply gusset welded mesh to the mining industry for underground roof
Duraset Strata Control, with its premises situated in Alrode, Gauteng, South Africa, is a well-diversified supplier of engineered support solutions to the mining and geotechnical industries.
With very well established research and development facilities, manufacturing plants and commercial services for each of our market-focused divisions, Duraset has positioned itself over time as a well-branded and leading supplier of safety-critical products to the mining industry.
Duraset manufactures a comprehensive range of high-quality mining underground products such as resin bolts, roof bolts, dynamik yielding bolts and cable anchors to only mention a few. They also supply ground support materials to the infrastructure and construction sector.
bolt manufacturing business with its premises situated in Olifantsfontein, Gauteng, South Africa.
The manufacturing plant is a fully automated facility, allowing RSH Mining to offer its customers the best quality at competitive pricing.
RSH Mining is an ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018-certified company offering high-quality manufactured components and products to its customer base. RSH is highly automated and positioned to be a leading supplier offering excellent customer service that will exceed the industry’s most demanding requirements.
Roof bolt assemblies for resin anchoring (chemical anchoring) comprise the stud, nut, bearing plate washer and a selection of accessories and modifications which can be configured to suit particular installation and rock support requirements. Roof bolt assemblies are packaged as complete, ready-to-install units.
RSH Mining is an established roof
RPZ’S PURPOSE AND VALUES
In line with its vision to become the most innovative, sustainable, and safe underground mining operation in Namibia, RPZ has defined a core set of values which help it to deliver on this. These include:
• Care and safety – The company cares for the safety and wellbeing of its workforce, the surrounding environment, and the communities it touches.
• Integrity – Accountable and responsible, RPZ vows to always deliver on its promises.
• Partnership – The company believes it is stronger when it bands together and embraces differences within the company, community, and with stakeholders.
• Performance –innovative, and agile, RPZ takes on challenges and continues to deliver.
significant contribution to Namibia’s export revenue and local economic development,” says Alex Mayrick, General Manager at RPZ.
“The RP2.0 expansion project will drive innovation, boost efficiency, and support sustainable growth, firmly establishing RPZ as a leading operation for years to come.
“At the same time, RPZ remains committed to regional economic development by providing employment, supporting local businesses, and investing in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and youth programmes within surrounding communities,” Mayrick adds.
One of Namibia’s flagship mining operations, RPZ under Appian places a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation, and continues to proudly contribute to the country’s economic growth.
WIDELY USED MINERALS
At the helm of one of the largest and most important zinc mines in Namibia, Mayrick notes the versatility of the material and its wide range of industry applications.
“Zinc’s primary use is in galvanisation where it coats steel to prevent rust, making its use vital
in construction and infrastructure contexts,” he tells us.
Also used to create alloys like brass and die casting metals for appliance and vehicle parts, zinc is a crucial component in the automotive industry.
In the health and agriculture sectors, meanwhile, the material has emerged as an essential dietary supplement and a micronutrient in fertilisers to boost crop yields.
“It also plays a key role in battery technologies, including alkaline and zinc-air batteries, and in the production of zinc oxide, which is used in rubber, cosmetics, and sunscreens,” Mayrick points out.
Alongside zinc, RPZ’s considerable deposit also includes lead and silver, both of which have a plethora of uses.
Lead’s excellent ability to store and release energy has seen it commonly used in car batteries.
It is also useful in radiation shielding for medical and nuclear applications due to the material’s effectiveness in blocking harmful rays and can be found in some types of solder, cable sheathing, and weights.
Silver, a by-product of the mine, in addition to being a valuable precious metal, has industrial and clean energy
applications, often used in solar power and electronics thanks to its electrical conductivity and ability to catalyse chemical reactions.
As such, demand for the metal has become particularly prevalent in recent years, given the increasing global demand for renewable energy.
ONGOING EXPANSION
RPZ is currently focused on optimising its ongoing operations whilst progressing the RP2.0 expansion project – a major initiative aimed at nearly doubling the mine’s ore processing capacity to 1.3 million tonnes of ore per year, resulting in an annual production of 170 million pounds (lb) per year of contained zinc metal.
Specifically, the project comprises further development of the existing underground mine, as well as the construction of new and modernised surface facilities.
A cutting-edge processing plant, for example, alongside the addition of a paste backfill and water treatment plant will be implemented to manage tailings and waste materials from ore processing.
A new access decline (tunnel) from the surface to the bottom of the mine is being developed. This will bypass historical access routes and create a direct and efficient production corridor to support and enable
increased production capacity.
The construction of RP2.0’s surface facilities is now over 77 percent complete and remains within budget, demonstrating the company’s commitment to the project.
“Completion is expected in Q3 2026, with ramp-up commencing in quick succession,” Mayrick explains.
Employing over 1,800 dedicated staff and contractors across its operations, approximately 600 of
“EVEN AMIDST ONGOING CHANGE, RPZ HAS MAINTAINED CONSISTENT PRODUCTION OF HIGH-GRADE ZINC AND LEAD CONCENTRATES, MAKING A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO NAMIBIA’S EXPORT REVENUE AND LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT”
–
ALEX MAYRICK, GENERAL MANAGER, ROSH PINAH ZINC
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RPZ’s team are currently focused on the development of RP2.0.
“As the expansion project progresses, we are looking to build our internal capacity as well as expand our team to support the mine’s
A RESPONSIBLE OPERATION
growth ambitions,” he states.
In addition, 99 percent of RPZ’s fulltime employees are Namibian.
“Our workforce reflects the scale and complexity of our current operations and ongoing expansion,
With the utmost respect for the communities in which it operates, RPZ’s activities follow industry best practices and international standards in areas including:
• Waste management – All hazardous and non-hazardous waste is handled according to regulatory guidelines and disposed of through licensed service providers.
• Water use and protection – The company operates under a water abstraction permit and continuously monitors its use and discharge to prevent contamination of surface and groundwater.
• Air quality control – Dust and emissions are managed through dust suppression systems, paved access routes, as well as ite roads rehabilitation and air quality monitoring.
• Climate change – RPZ uses renewable energy from solar parks controlled by Appian to provide 30 percent of its power.
• Rehabilitation and biodiversity – Implementing progressive rehabilitation plans, the company protects indigenous vegetation and works to limit its footprint within the sensitive Tsau Khaeb National Park.
reinforcing RPZ’s role as a key economic player in Namibia.”
CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
As a company that prioritises the growth of local communities, RPZ is proud to have a forward-looking procurement strategy in place, which includes a supplier development programme.
“Through the establishment of the programme, we are committed to ensuring local businesses not only benefit from current projects but are also positioned for long-term success,” Mayrick prides.
As a result, in 2023-24, over 27 percent of the company’s goods and services were proudly procured locally.
“Our goal is to cultivate a thriving, self-sustaining local industry that extends well beyond the life of mine, transforming Rosh Pinah into a recognised hub for goods and services,” he continues.
In addition, the programme unlocks opportunities for regional suppliers to grow, compete, and ultimately export their products and services across Namibia and even internationally.
Chefe Grande Trading CC is a Namibian-owned consulting, engineering, andconstruction firm based in Rosh Pinah, southern Namibia. Established in 2021, the company delivers innovative and cost-effective solutions across infrastructure development, industrial services, and eventmanagement. Driven by a team of experienced professionals, commitment to quality, integrity, and client satisfaction.
Chefe Grande Trading CC offers a variety of Engineering and Consultancy services, including:
• Utility and infrastructure planning
• Civil and construction engineering
Project management
Feasibility studies and design
The transition to clean energy technologies places higher demands on mining companies to extract more minerals even more efficiently without compromising on safety or sustainability. An impossible equation? Not if you dare to think new We are constantly developing new intelligent technologies that accelerate this transformation.
By fostering an internal culture of continuous improvement and professional development, RPZ recognises that investing in its staff is an essential factor in sustaining excellence.
“We provide comprehensive training programmes spanning technical mining operations, safety protocols, environmental stewardship, and leadership development, granting employees the opportunity to grow and advance within and beyond their current role,” Mayrick outlines.
“These initiatives collectively create a dynamic environment for career advancement and skills development,” he explains.
Meanwhile, through various mentorship programmes, bursaries, and placements for students from the University of Namibia, RPZ cultivates local talent whilst attracting experienced professionals from the mining industry.
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
Deeply committed to social responsibility, RPZ actively supports community development as a core part of its operations.
The company believes progress lies in the ability of local communities to stand on their own two feet and thrive. It is therefore on hand to facilitate this level of autonomy amongst the communities it serves.
To achieve this ambition, RPZ continues to support programmes that empower personal development, build local capacity, and create meaningful change.
In 2024, RPZ invested over NAD$7 million in community initiatives.
One such project is the Obib Training Centre (OTC), which provides vocational training and skills development opportunities for local residents, facilitating access to meaningful employment and improving their livelihoods.
OTC’s mission is to initiate and sustain efficient and effective
“WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMMES SPANNING TECHNICAL MINING OPERATIONS, SAFETY PROTOCOLS, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, GRANTING EMPLOYEES THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND ADVANCE WITHIN AND BEYOND THEIR CURRENT ROLE”
– ALEX MAYRICK, GENERAL MANAGER, ROSH PINAH ZINC
community development, working to deliver on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of local people.
Elsewhere, RPZ has invested in equipment and contracted a new teacher to provide a computer science course in a secondary school, elevating the workforce of tomorrow’s digital education.
It is also actively delivering a learnto-drive programme that includes lessons, vehicle hire, and test fees –supporting approximately 40 drivers per year.
“These initiatives contribute to the broader economic growth and social well-being of the surrounding
communities,” Mayrick notes.
In addition to adhering to social responsibility regarding community outreach, RPZ also takes sustainability very seriously, operating in full compliance with Namibia’s environmental legislation.
RPZ closely follows the Environmental Management Act of 2007 – which promotes sustainable environmental management and natural resource use – and its associated regulations.
“We also continue to maintain a valid Environmental Clearance Certificate issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, and conduct regular Environmental
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Impact Assessments and audits to monitor our performance,” he emphasises.
The company complies with mining governance laws such as the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act of 1992, which regulates the prospecting, exploration, and mining of minerals in Namibia.
Moreover, it reports frequently to regulatory authorities, engaging with the local community and stakeholders on environmental concerns.
“Internally, our environmental management plan guides all operations to ensure risks are minimised and sustainability is prioritised throughout the mine’s lifecycle.”
A NEW IDENTITY
Having rebranded in 2023, RPZ’s ethos of responsibly extracting minerals in the most innovative,
A MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT
Following months of meticulous planning and surveys between surface, collar point, and the underground holing position, RPZ drilled a pilot hole to create a new shaft for ventilation. Proving RPZ’s technical excellence, the team successfully met the parameters required with a final deviation of just 0.27 percent at a total final drilling depth of 220 metres.
The company’s achievement was supported by technology solutions provided by Dwyka Mining Services – a results-driven business offering technical solutions and consultancy for all manner of mining environments.
sustainable, and safe way is now clearer than ever.
“Our new logo is a bold and modern representation of our company’s identity,” Mayrick reflects.
The stylised quiver tree depicted in RPZ’s updated logo represents its heritage, whilst the blue and green colour scheme signifies the company’s commitment to environmentalism.
“The logo is designed to evoke a sense of strength and stability, which is important to us as we work to build a successful and sustainable future,” he adds.
A new tagline – ‘sustainable beyond mining’ – is a clear statement that distinctly lays out the company’s mission.
“Recognising zinc as a critical mineral for a sustainable future, RPZ is committed to mining and processing it responsibly, minimising
TRENTYRE
NAMIBIA RPZ ON-SITE TYRE MANAGEMENT
Our TrenTyre Namibia on-site maintenance teams have provided 24-hour operational support for RPZ since 2001.
Our team draws from our hands-on knowledge of client operations in Namibia combined with highly skilled technical expertise to help RPZ achieve their specific cost and productivity targets for operations.
Tyres are one of the most significant costs for mining operations and we understand the importance of increasing productivity whilst reducing the total cost of tyre ownership. Our team achieve these results through skilled expertise underpinned by a continual focus on safety first.
environmental impact, and enhancing benefits for the local community.”
Mayrick believes that the company’s new branding is a positive embodiment of RPZ in a new age of mining.
“It reflects our values, mission, and commitment to supporting local communities,” he insights.
PROGRESSING FORWARDS
Looking to the future, RPZ is making great advancements towards becoming the most innovative, sustainable, and safe underground mining operation in Namibia.
“As we progress with the RP2.0 expansion project, we are excited to see the impact it will have on our output, innovation, and sustainability,” Mayrick enthuses.
The next milestone for this project will be completing commissioning of the paste backfill and water treatment
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plants, which will be the first of their kind in Namibia.
To achieve this breakthrough, RPZ will continue to actively upskill its workforce, procuring locally where possible.
Upon completion, RPZ will backfill mined voids underground with cemented tailings (backfill), reducing tailings placement to surface tailings facilities.
This will increase ore extraction from underground and reduce future surface impact with reduced tailings volumes. The water treatment plant, meanwhile, will be used to recycle mine process water, helping to minimise RPZ’s water usage from the nearby Orange River.
Furthermore, Appian has acquired Rosh Pinah Solar Park (RPSP) from Emesco Energy to exclusively supply clean energy to RPZ.
Appian plans to increase the solar
plant’s output from 5.4 megawatt peaks (MWp) to 16.3MWp, providing 30 percent of the energy supply required for RP2.0.
In parallel to the RP2.0 project, RPZ is undertaking an expansive exploration drilling campaign to extend its mine life for many decades to come.
“These efforts collectively demonstrate our unwavering commitment to responsible mining practices and continuous improvement across all facets of our operations for the long term,” he passionately concludes.
TrenTyre Namibia has
THE FUTURE OF RESPONSIBLE MINING
Sierra Mineral Holdings I Limited is the nation’s largest operational bauxite mine company, promoting sustainable resource development and driving communities through local employment opportunities
Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
Sierra Mineral Holdings I Limited (SMHL), a prominent bauxite mine headquartered in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, is forging a path of sustainable resource development and community empowerment within the nation’s thriving mining sector.
As the largest operational bauxite mining company in the country, SMHL holds a mining lease covering 322 square kilometres (sqkm) within a geologically distinct section of the mineral-rich belt.
Unlike the bauxite found in the Guinea deposits, its ore is characterised by more favourable mineralogical properties. The absence of monoxidic minerals significantly reduces the energy required for chemical
processing at the buyer’s refineries. Additionally, the bauxite’s soft consistency allows for efficient excavation without the need for prior blasting.
Operating across the Moyamba, Bonthe, and Bo Districts in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone – an area located approximately 60 kilometres east of Sherbro Island and accessible by road from Freetown –SMHL underscores its commitment to industry guidelines and standards.
The company’s primary operational focus within the Moyamba District is balanced by an admiral dedication to community development and focus on sustainability.
Its environmental and safety policy statements are well defined
and precise, guiding their approach to maintaining environmental stewardship within the region.
Beyond operational excellence, SMHL actively champions local empowerment via employment opportunities, reflected in the composition of its management and contractors.
This commitment to local talent cultivates a skilled workforce and fosters economic growth within the communities it serves.
FROM EXPLORATION TO EXPORT
SMHL oversees a comprehensive and carefully managed process that spans geological exploration to the final export of high-quality bauxite.
The journey begins with the identification of the most promising resource areas, a task undertaken by SMHL’s highly skilled team of geologists. These specialists utilise advanced exploration tools, including satellite imagery, drilling, and pitting, to accurately delineate mineral resources within the company’s 322 sqkm mining lease.
Once target zones are confirmed, open-pit mining is conducted primarily on hill slopes. The extracted ore is transported by trucks to a beneficiation plant for processing. At this stage, the ore undergoes a wet screening process aimed at removing fine fractions below 2.5 millimetres. These finer materials typically contain elevated levels of silica and iron, which are considered contaminants in alumina production. By eliminating them, SMHL not only significantly improves the ore’s metallurgical quality but also enhances its handling and transport characteristics by reducing stickiness in high-moisture conditions.
Following beneficiation, haulage operations – mostly outsourced –move the upgraded ore from the plant to the Nitti-2 loading port (Nitti-2). Throughout the mining and
logistics chain, SMHL rigorously complies with the highest safety standards in line with Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) guidelines, ensuring a safe and efficient working environment.
At Nitti-2, bauxite is sorted and stockpiled according to quality grades to enable optimal blending and handling. Moisture reduction is achieved through sun drying, ensuring the product meets the required specifications for shipping.
The dried bauxite is then transhipped using barges and push boats from Nitti-2 to a deep-water loading buoy – Buoy 4 – located 32 nautical miles offshore.
SMHL is currently capable of loading vessels with a deadweight tonnage of up to 60,000 tonnes at this offshore facility. The final product
SMHL – AT A GLANCE
• 572 employees
• Nine operational sites
• 3,414,000 mining tonnage
• 1,787,000 export tonnage
is exported from Sierra Leone under Free On Board (FOB) terms, ready for delivery to international clients.
COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT
SMHL’s operations are based on a strong policy framework, including legal compliance and a commitment to sustainability.
The company follows all applicable Sierra Leonean laws and regulations, such as the Environment Protection Agency Act, 2021 and the Local Content Agency Act, 2016.
Notably, SMHL produces premium washed bauxite – a high-grade gibbsite suited to low-temperature aluminium refineries.
To produce this sought-after version of the mineral, the company crushes run-of-mine bauxite before wet screening it on inclined or vibrating screens to refine it, which produces a washed product.
SMHL’s current production of premium washed bauxite is 1.7 million tonnes per annum (t/pa).
Sustainable development is also key to SMHL’s operations and includes health, safety, environmental (HSE), and community development management policies.
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SMHL’S VISION, MISSION, AND VALUES
VISION
• To build a sustainable mining business that delivers shareholder returns whilst leading in safety, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
• To be the most valued and reputable mining company, demonstrated by industry leading performance.
MISSION
• To contribute to the global supply of alumina and aluminium through bauxite mining in the West Coast of Africa.
• To be entirely compliant to all national and international standards and regulations whilst bringing added value to its staff, communities, and the nation.
• To promote sound public policy at all levels of government, educating the community on the benefits of mining and supporting the sustainability of a safe and responsible industry.
VALUES
• Exhibit leadership in safety, stewardship of the environment, and social responsibility.
• Act with reliability, trust, and esteem.
• Insist on and establish teamwork, as well as honest and transparent communication.
• Train employees in pursuit of excellence.
• Support positive change by encouraging innovation and applying agreed-upon practices.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is very important to the company, with many of its activities seeking to support local communities and, in turn, provide its mines with a social licence to operate.
SMHL’s health and safety vision, ‘Safety First, Safety Always’, focuses on both the human and technical aspects of bauxite mining, fostering a culture that places safety at the forefront.
The company is equally committed to environmental protection, preserving the site’s natural surroundings throughout the mining process.
SMHL was amongst the first mining companies in Sierra Leone
to sign a community development agreement with the government and communities, establishing a formal, legally-binding framework for benefit sharing, community development, and conflict prevention.
As such, project-affected areas can use this process to address local needs and ensure sustainable infrastructure.
SMHL also practices CSR in this context, working with nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), health providers, and government agencies.
Elsewhere, the company helps rebuild public roads and infrastructure to support the local community.
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INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
SMHL, in collaboration with the Community Development Committee (CDC), plays a vital role in complementing the Government of Sierra Leone’s efforts to promote education.
Its annual scholarship award programme benefits indigenes of the affected bauxite mining operational chiefdoms – Dasse, Lower Banta, and Upper Banta in the Moyamba District; Bumpe Ngao in the Bo District; and Kpanda Kemoh in the Bonthe District.
This year’s programme saw a significant investment of SLE3,115,000 awarded to 723 students enrolled in various tertiary institutions across Sierra Leone.
The initiative is aimed at enhancing the skills, knowledge, and cognitive capacities of individuals from SMHL’s host communities, improving their employability and enabling access to higher-paying job opportunities
– particularly within the company itself. Human Resources Director
Zhanna Volosevich emphasised the company’s strong commitment to sustainable community development and its understanding of the vital role that development funds play in delivering long-term social and economic benefits.
She also acknowledged the Government of Sierra Leone’s robust policy framework for improving mining governance and community engagement.
FUTURE FOCUS
Looking ahead, SMHL is in the final stages of securing investment for the development of the northern section of its mining concession.
This expansion plan includes the construction of a new high-capacity beneficiation plant with an annual processing capability exceeding 4.5 million tonnes.
Additionally, the company plans to transition to shipping via ocean-going vessels with a deadweight capacity of up to 200,000 tonnes.
This strategic development is expected to significantly boost the region’s economic prospects by creating a substantial number of new jobs and catalysing wider infrastructural growth.
It reflects SMHL’s continued commitment to fostering local empowerment, sustainable growth, and inclusive development in the areas where it operates.
Tel: +232 77 780204 sierramineral.com
PROCURING PROSPECTS PRECIOUS
West Wits Mining is building a new legacy in gold mining, combining exploration, strategic development, and responsible production across South Africa and Australia. We dig beneath the surface with CEO, Rudi Deysel
Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
The boundless mining industry in South Africa (SA) has traditionally centred on the extraction of gold and diamonds, and whilst the sector has declined from its historical peaks, mining remains a significant national priority, notorious for its production of platinum, manganese, chrome, and other minerals. Today, the industry faces numerous challenges from
ageing infrastructure, high operating costs, and declining demand, contributing to a loss of jobs and the rise of illegal, gang-controlled mining.
However, despite these issues, the sector is still a vital source of revenue and employment across SA. Amid these realities, junior mining companies are emerging as agile, innovative players able to carve opportunity out of complexity.
Within this vast and evolving landscape, West Wits Mining (West Wits) is actively mobilising to bring a new era of gold mining development to Johannesburg, guided by a clear focus on responsible exploration, disciplined project execution and long-term community and shareholder value.
“At present, there are many examples of junior mining companies beginning to assert themselves within the
African mining space as some of the largest players have diversified and moved into alternative international markets,” introduces Rudi Deysel, CEO.
“We see ourselves as a team of professional miners who strive for the highest possible standards. The responsibility we take, exploration and planning work we do, and quality of our operations continue to set us apart,” he sets out.
Front row from the right:
PERFORMING FOR IMPACT
• Thembeka Phateng – Business Sustainability Manager
• Fikile Rammego – Admin Manager
• Sam Molefi – Managing Director
• Motlapele Molefi – Executive Director
• Basetsana Molobye – HR Superintendent
Back row from the right:
• Patrick Kave – HR Manager
• Chris Jonker – Technical Director
• Tshepo Marobane – Chief Operating Officer
• David Sebe – Head of Commercial
• Witness Chiungwa – Finance Manager
Early works (including current work) that Modi Mining is providing to West Wits Mining.
Please introduce us to Modi Mining.
Modi Mining is an awardwinning South African-owned company providing contract mining services for both underground and opencast mining. We operate primarily in the North West, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng Provinces, with a growing footprint across South Africa (SA). Our clients include established mining houses that trust us to deliver safe, efficient, and quality services on every project. The company employs around 1,300 employees across all our operations, with
the team comprising skilled professionals and support staff, ensuring that we bring both technical expertise and employment opportunities to the communities in which we operate.
How has Modi Mining grown into a reputable player in the primary and secondary sectors with mature capabilities in contract mining and civil works?
From humble beginnings, Modi Mining has expanded into both the primary and secondary sectors of mining. We built our reputation through consistent delivery of contract mining services such as drilling, blasting, load and haul, and material handling. Over time, we matured into civil engineering works, making us a multifaceted business partner. Our ability to integrate these offerings under one roof has positioned us as a reliable, cost-effective, and innovative service provider.
What, for you, differentiates Modi Mining from the competition?
What sets us apart is our combination of safety culture,
technical capability, and community focus. We don’t just provide services — we build long-term partnerships anchored in trust and performance. Our investment in enterprise and supplier development, employee training, and community upliftment initiatives ensures that every project leaves a positive footprint. Few competitors can match this holistic approach of operational excellence aligned with social responsibility.
Can you tell us more about your mission of being a catalyst for positive change by offering services and products of the highest quality and value?
Modi Mining has recently developed a new company ethos, which is a true reflection of our evolving values, priorities, and responsibilities in response to the changing and developing environment in which we operate. The new mission - “To be a supplier of the highest-quality, cost- effective products and services in our industry whilst honouring the dignity and safety of our employees, environment, and the broader
society in positive and enduring ways” - speaks to our purpose of building long-term resilience and impact by being purpose and stakeholderdriven, providing sustainable and innovative solutions to our clients and encouraging a collaborative and inclusive internal and external culture. We see mining not just as an economic activity but as a platform to empower communities and contribute to SA’s inclusive growth.
Could you elaborate on your partnership with West Wits? How long have you worked together, and what is the nature of your partnership
Our partnership with West Wits is a cornerstone of our growth story. We have worked together since the launch of the West Wits Mining Project in 2021, where Modi Mining has been entrusted with early works and has now been awarded a five-year contract to safely develop the underground workings and extract gold-bearing ore
(Turnkey hybrid underground mining services).
The partnership between Modi Mining and West Wits constitutes a strategic alliance that integrates the supply of experienced leadership, highly specialised skills and expertise, operational capabilities, mutual respect, aligned values, and a shared commitment to safety and sustainability of the project.
How do the two companies mutually benefit each other, and what complementary strengths do you bring?
The partnership works because West Wits provides the resource base, mining equipment, and strategic vision, whilst Modi Mining delivers the operational capacity, local insight, and technical expertise to bring projects to life. West Wits benefits from our proven ability to execute efficiently and responsibly, whilst we benefit from the opportunity to scale, diversify, and continuously improve. Together, we create value not only for our companies but also for surrounding communities.
Are there any recent projects that you would like to highlight?
One of our key recent highlights is the construction of a 105,000 square metre Co-Disposal Facility at one of the local mines in Rustenburg, where Modi
Co Disposal Facility project
Co Disposal Facility project
Mining is responsible for providing specialised civil services that meet strict safety, environmental, and engineering standards. In addition to this service offering, through our Enterprise and Supplier Development programmes, we have equipped an emerging local business with technical and administrative skills, offered by our skilled personnel, as well as branding and marketing material to expand their current operations. These projects reflect both our technical excellence and our commitment to building a sustainable mining ecosystem.
Please tell us more about your safety initiatives and corporate social responsibility practices.
SIPHO, our Safety Mascot
It is our endeavour that after every shift, our workers return home to their loved ones safely without any harm. Continuous innovation through initiatives such as our safety mascot SIPHO ensures that we drive safety awareness across our workforce. In our organisation, we define SIPHO as (Safety first, Improvement of safety standards, Planning and wearing correct PPE, Health and hygeine in all areas, and Obeying operating procedures).
Our ESG Initiatives
We view ourselves as one with the communities we operate in. In referencing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, we draw upon two of our foundational values: care and winning with the people, which guide our approach to responsible and inclusive business practices. Our goal is to always create shared value and leave a positive footprint in the communities we touch.
Modi Mining’s Key CSR Projects:
• Technogirls – We play a pivotal role in shaping future innovators, thinkers, and leaders through our
annual absorption of high school learners to mentor them, thus bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application of STEM fields.
• Blanket Drives – Our blanket drives promote warmth, comfort, and care within our communities, serving as a heartfelt reminder that Modi Mining is committed to the well-being of its people.
• Back to School Initiatives –We participate in initiatives like school shoes and stationery drives, which contribute meaningfully to fostering a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Early works (including
Rustenburg Office (Head Office)
58 Brink Street
Rustenburg, 0299
Tel: +27 (0)14 592 1560
Fax: +27 (0)86 547 3593
Email: info@modimining.co.za
Middelburg Office
Farm Rietfontein 416
Portion 8, Uitkyk
Middelburg, 1050
Tel: +27 (0)13 007 1359
Fax: +27 (0)86 547 3589
Email: info@modimining.co.za
www.modimining.co.za
current work) that Modi Mining is providing to West Wits Mining
BUILDING A CAREER
Having meticulously worked his way into the upper echelons of the industry through a variety of positions over the last 25 years, Deysel holds degrees in geophysics and mining engineering from the University of Pretoria and has also obtained his Master of Business Administration (MBA), which has helped shape his career to date.
As a result, he now boasts extensive production experience in conventional narrow tabular underground mining, as well as open cast operations and various mining commodities including gold, platinum group metals (PGMs), copper, and cobalt.
structured space for inclusive transparent dialogue, ensuring residents are actively engaged and directly benefit from opportunities created by our projects.
WHAT DOES THE WORD RESPONSIBILITY REPRESENT FOR WEST WITS?
Rudi Deysel, CEO: “We take environmental responsibility extremely seriously. As part of this, we always aim to give back to the local people around us, as ultimately, the resources and reserves are part of SA’s collective inheritance. We view ourselves as custodians, not just extractors, and that includes being accountable to the people whose lives are intertwined with these lands.
“By creating formal platforms for dialogue, we help dismantle historical mistrust and build collaborative pathways for shared value.
“Through our Local Economic Development (LED) Programme, we work in partnership with the City of Johannesburg to host community ward forums. These provide a
“Our aim is to responsibly uplift the local area and people we work with in terms of providing job opportunities, business potential, and even creating other small enterprises in the community around us.
“We are very fortunate and lucky to be situated where we are in Johannesburg, with so many great opportunities that we can encourage and contribute to.
“There’s a lot of focus from our side to support these people and help them reach a point where they can also reap the benefits of our broader operations and local projects, which we believe they are entitled to.”
“Mining is in my blood. My fatherin-law is also a mining engineer and studied at the same university as me before taking some impressive senior positions in big corporations across SA. I’m lucky to have that mentor on my doorstep to learn from.
“I’ve also always seen myself as a people person and decided early on that I was more interested in managing operations and navigating the production side of the business,” he recalls.
As a result, Deysel previously managed several brown and greenfield mining projects in SA, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Ghana, which added to his vast scope of experience across mine development, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and execution operations.
Mining Africa’s future through legal expertise
Agile, disruptive, and globally recognised – Alchemy delivers legal solutions that drive progress in the mining sector.
At Alchemy, we are more than legal advisors – we are partners in shaping Africa’s mining future. As a niche team of internationally recognised and globally ranked lawyers, we bring deep technical knowledge and crossborder expertise to guide clients through the most complex transactions in the sector.
Our track record speaks for itself: from managing landmark, first-of-its-kind deals to advising on some of the largest mining transactions on the continent, we deliver pertinent and productive outcomes that are commercially sound, innovative, and strategically valuable.
A different kind of law firm
By favouring innovation over tradition, we offer transparency, flexibility, and a solutions-focused approach. Where it enhances outcomes, we leverage cutting-edge technology, but our real strength lies in our understanding of our clients’ strategies, our ability to anticipate challenges and position our clients for success. As lead counsel, we operate seamlessly across multiple jurisdictions, giving mining clients and investors confidence that their interests are protected, no matter where they do business. Our expertise spans the full spectrum of legal disciplines critical to the mining sector allowing us to deliver holistic, commercially integrated solutions.
Bespoke mining expertise
Africa’s mining landscape is as complex as it is promising. From shifting regulations and compliance challenges to new models of financing and
“Alchemy Law’s strategic legal guidance was pivotal in structuring a unique funding solution for our new gold mining venture in the Witwatersrand Basin. Their holistic and proactive approach to project strategy, coupled with practical solutions, has positioned the Qala Shallows project to deliver new ounces and strong economic returns — making a meaningful contribution to South Africa’s economy and revitalising its gold mining sector.”
- Rudi Deysel, CEO, West Wits Mining
ever-evolving ESG expectations, navigating this environment demands more than legal knowledge –it requires in-depth industry insight.
Our mining, minerals and natural resources team has extensive experience advising across the sector and is well-positioned to support clients in:
• Public and private mergers and acquisitions
Project finance and establishing acquisition facilities
• Due diligence
• Broad-based black economic empowerment transactions
Policy and regulation, including the South African Mining Charter
• Royalty and alternative financing structures
• Competition-related matters
Leveraged and management buyouts
• Asset-based financing for mining equipment
• Debt and equity funding
• Dispute resolution
Why Alchemy?
We understand that mining is more than just about extracting value from the ground – it is about creating sound, long-term economic and social impact. Our role is to help clients unlock opportunities, mitigate risks, and achieve sustainable growth in a sector that remains one of Africa’s most vital economic drivers.
With Alchemy at your side, you gain a legal partner who is committed to providing clarity in complexity and delivering results that matter. We can assist you. Get in touch.
West Wits is building the next generation of South African miners. As it mobilises the Qala Shallows project, the company remains committed to creating a pipeline of skilled talent from within its myriad host communities.
Through the West Wits Learnership Programme, young people will gain the knowledge and practical experience needed to play an active role in the future of mining in SA.
This exciting initiative represents an opportunity to upskill, grow, and be part of a project that is shaping the next chapter of the Witwatersrand Basin.
Furthermore, West Wits is committed to creating a positive social impact in the communities where it operates and its approach combines meaningful community engagement, responsible procurement, and ongoing collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure long-term, shared benefits for all.
“IT’S A GREAT STORY TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE OPENED THE COUNTRY’S FIRST UNDERGROUND GOLD MINE IN 15 YEARS”
– RUDI DEYSEL, CEO, WEST WITS MINING
AFRICAN AND AUSTRALIAN OPERATIONS
West Wits currently splits its focus between two major projects. Firstly, the Witwatersrand Basin Project (WBP) in SA is proudly regarded as the company’s flagship operation.
The iconic basin holds the world’s largest known gold reserves and has produced over 1.5 billion ounces to date, which represents about 22 percent of all the gold accounted for above the surface.
Today, the WBP is made up of three reef mining targets which will be developed sequentially – Kimberley Reef, Main Reef, and Bird Reef.
“I would describe us as Africa-driven with a growing international footprint, and we see strong potential for continued growth through our projects in both SA and Australia.”
“The WBP is set to transform West Wits into a long-term gold producer,” Deysel remarks.
Elsewhere, West Wits’ other key undertaking is the Mt Cecelia Project, located on the border of the East Pilbara and Paterson provinces of Western Australia (WA).
This represents a fresh start and a new mining area that is generating significant industry excitement around its recent positive prospecting results.
PROVIDING EXCELLENCE IN EXPLORATION DRILLING FOR OVER TWO DECADES
Lesedi Drilling specialises in exploration and cover drilling, delivering precise core samples essential for mine planning, mineral assessment, reef location, and ore quality.
Our expertise guarantees accuracy, safety, and efficiency in every drilling operation. We provide innovative surface and underground exploration diamond drilling, with highly experienced, safety-driven teams applying advanced technologies for reliable results.
For more than 23 years, Lesedi has delivered safe, superior drilling services, utilising locally manufactured drilling consumables to leading mining houses.
info@lesedidrilling.com | www.lesedidrilling.com
The project encompasses 225 square kilometres of highly prospective ground, strategically located adjacent to tenements held by Rio Tinto.
“At this point, we’re basically part of a joint venture (JV) with Rio Tinto whereby their drilling work focuses more on base metals, and we maintain our long-term focus on gold procurement,” he tells us.
“As a 100 percent-owned greenfield project, Mt Cecelia is in many ways a mirror image of the rejuvenation of the WBP. It is a fundamentally attractive exploration project with every prospect of establishing itself as a profitable long-term operation for the company.”
QALA SHALLOWS
West Wits is currently sharpening its focus on the Qala Shallows mine – the first phase of the WBP – a South African gold development transitioning from early-stage construction to full-scale production, with first gold targeted for the first half of 2026.
Named appropriately, the word ’qala’ means to start anew, providing an excellent metaphor for West Wits’ rejuvenation of an established resource in one of the world’s most historic gold mining cities.
“We need to make sure we can walk before we run. It’s therefore a priority for us to get this site in operation so we can create good cash flow and start building revenue for the company which will, in turn, lead to enhanced opportunities moving forwards,” Deysel states.
The shallow, underground mine will effectively utilise contract mining and existing processing facilities, with recent funding rounds securing the necessary capital to advance the project to a profitable, steady-state operation.
West Wits proudly leverages regional manufacturers, suppliers, equipment, and contractors for this project, which empowers not only the business as a proudly Australian-listed, South African company, but the nation as a whole.
“It’s a great story to be able to say we opened the country’s first underground gold mine in 15 years.
“Our view is that there are more great opportunities to capitalise on in Africa with plenty of hidden treasure out there in terms of exploration potential,” he prides.
In terms of building a lasting legacy, West Wits endeavours to forge its reputation as a responsible gold miner, strong business, and company that can become a serious player in the African mining industry.
“Ultimately, we want to grow to be a mid-tier category gold company as soon as possible, and that legacy will then look after itself,” Deysel concludes.
Focused on high-value platinum group metals and strategic metals with long-term demand, Wesizwe Platinum Limited is making waves and setting benchmarks in the ever-critical mining industry. Benjamin Naledi Sekano, Executive Head Operations, tells us more about the company’s development and plans for a successful future
Writer: Lauren Kania | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
Embarking upon a mission to grow into a significant multicommodity mining company that focuses on strategic metals with sound fundamentals for sustainable demand, Wesizwe Platinum Limited (Wesizwe) is a proud leader in the globally demanding mining sector.
Situated as a public company incorporated in South Africa (SA), with its shares listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Wesizwe intends to enter into platinum group metals (PGMs) mining within the country as the launch pad for growing into a company that sets industry standards for sustainable mining practices.
The company focuses on high-value PGMs and strategic metals that will meet long-term demand and enable it to turn into a sustainable mid-tier mining house. Wesizwe’s anchor project is the Bakubung Platinum Mine (Bakubung), which has an expected life of mine of 30 years.
Bakubung shaft
Benjamin Naledi Sekano, Executive Head Operations, is at the helm of the company’s ambitious goals for a long-term mining future.
Having grown up in the shadow of Royal Bafokeng Platinum Limited – now named Impala Bafokeng –Sekano wasn’t initially enticed by the idea of working in the industry.
“I thought I wanted to be a chemical engineer, until I was in high school and went on a tour of a base metals refinery and struggled to breathe. We eventually went underground at the Boschfontein Mine shaft, which was owned by Anglo American Platinum at the time, and it immediately felt like home; I
just fell in love with mining and never looked back,” he introduces.
After graduating with a degree in mining, Sekano went to work for Anglo American Platinum – now Valterra Platinum – the world’s largest primary producer of platinum. After working his way through the ranks at the Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine, he was transferred to the town of Rustenburg to obtain hands-on experience in vertical shafts and other mining methods.
“It’s been a great career so far, and I’m still loving it. There’s never a dull moment in what we do – every day presents a new challenge,” he details.
MAXIMISING VALUE
What serves to differentiate Wesizwe from other mining organisations is its focus on company culture and work towards constant improvement for those who dedicate themselves to its success day in, day out.
“As you develop in this industry, you realise it’s not just about the technical aspects – it’s actually more about the people,” insights Sekano.
“By ensuring the people, teams, and systems are happy and in place respectively, the job takes off.”
This emphasis on people-centric culture is relatively new, with Sekano citing the appointment of Cynthia Carroll as CEO of Anglo American
“WE ARE ACTIVELY TRANSFORMING THE CULTURE HERE AT WESIZWE; IT’S NOT EASY AND TAKES A LOT OF DOING, BUT WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE FOR THE LONG TERM”
– BENJAMIN NALEDI SEKANO, EXECUTIVE HEAD OPERATIONS, WESIZWE PLATINUM LIMITED
in 2007 as the trigger for this updated mindset. Now, one life lost is considered one too many, and safety is front and centre, transforming the industry for the better.
Ultimately, Wesizwe puts its people and safety first, ensuring long-term success.
“It’s my job to instil a culture where people always return to their families after a day at work. We are actively transforming the culture here at Wesizwe; it’s not easy and takes a lot of doing, but we are working to make it sustainable for the long term,” emphasises Sekano.
Assisting in this company culture metamorphosis is Wesizwe’s shareholder Jinchuan Group Co., Ltd. (Jinchuan) – the world’s third-largest cobalt and nickel manufacturer, Asia’s largest platinum manufacturer, and
WESIZWE’S VALUES
Wesizwe looks to engage every individual to live the following values:
• Zero harm to people and the environment.
• Ethical behaviour based on integrity and honesty.
• Ownership, accountability, and responsibility.
• Dignity, respect, and fairness.
• Trust, openness, and transparency.
• Respecting diversity and inclusion.
• Perseverance and tenacity.
• Caring.
China’s third-largest copper producer.
Wesizwe utilises Jinchuan’s vast mining experience and expertise, including the provision of specialist support from its China operations.
“I’m proud to have a majority shareholder that is fully behind us to make sure our Bakubung project will succeed. We have had some bumps along the way, but Jinchuan is determined to see this project through and has been pushing us to get the right people on board and carry us forward,” asserts Sekano.
ADDRESSING LONG-TERM DEMAND
With the vision to grow into a significant multi-commodity mining company focusing on strategic metals with sound fundamentals for sustainable demand, Wesizwe’s first step is to complete the construction of the Bakubung mine and generate PGMs.
“We have made good strides. Last year, we declared our intent to operate the concentrator plant by 2025; we hit this milestone and are now seeing the fruits of our labour,” details Sekano.
“We still have a lot of infrastructure to install before the mine can reach one million tonnes per annum (Mtpa).”
The mine is approximately 40 kilometres northwest of Rustenburg and falls within the jurisdiction of the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality. It consists of a single underground operation accessed through a twin vertical shaft system and six-metre diameter raise bore ventilation holes.
All development activities are completed by trackless mechanised mining equipment, and the initial stope production activities will be a mixture of hybrid and bord-and-pillar mining methods.
Bakubung is currently in the final stages of capital infrastructure development for a 1 Mtpa mine, with the target of reaching full production of 83 kilotonnes per month (ktpm) in 2026.
“The moment we reach completion, our vision of delivering quality metal and being a major player in this space will be met,” prides Sekano.
“We are motivated to build this mine, make sure it succeeds, and develop our company. Jinchuan is behind us to ensure we achieve our goals.”
QUALITY-DRIVEN INDUSTRY LEADERS
MAVELOUS WITH US TRADING AND PROJECTS is an industry leader in Plant hire equipment, Civil Engineering, Road Construction and Rehabilitation works.
MAVELOUS WITH US TRADING AND PROJECTS has been in construction for the past 8 years and has completed projects that encompass the full spectrum of civil engineering services. These include road construction, infrastructure development, parking area construction, road rehabilitation, bulk earthworks and surfacing. Our site management teams are dynamic, skilled and have very good experience in all facets of civil engineering construction. We take pride in delivering successful projects on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
We have a large plant holding that ensures capacity for and continuity of all projects, from small to large. A rigorous company-wide training regime not only ensures quality at all levels, but effectively up-skills and uplifts our staff, local population and sub-contractors. Our clients include governments, local authorities, corporate groups and property developers.
WESIZWE’S FIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CAPITALS
SOCIAL CAPITAL – Refers to the institutions that help the company maintain and develop human capital in partnership with others, such as government, communities, businesses, trade unions, and voluntary non-governmental organisations. Under this capital, Wesizwe ensures its governance, oversees its commitment to community engagement, implements social investment, and addresses employee housing challenges.
MANUFACTURED CAPITAL – Includes material goods or fixed assets that contribute to the production process rather than being the output itself. Wesizwe is focused on material stewardship, including the planning and management of resources, recycling, zero waste, zero emissions, and more.
FINANCIAL CAPITAL – Plays an important role in the national economy, enabling other types of capital to be owned and traded. Financial capital is representative of natural, human, social, or manufactured capital.
NATURAL CAPITAL – Refers to any stock or flow of energy and material that produces goods and services, including renewable and non-renewable materials.
HUMAN CAPITAL – Consists of people’s health, knowledge, skills, and motivation, all of which are needed for productive work. Enhancing human capital through education and training is central to success.
Recently, there has been a big drive towards pure electric vehicles (EVs); however, this trend did not manifest as intended, and the need for PGMs is still extremely prevalent, making fresh ore crucial in major industries across the globe.
Specifically, metals such as platinum are necessary for hybrid vehicles, which are continuing to increase in popularity. Wesizwe is here to support market demands for PGMs and fill in the gaps where supply is waning.
“The more we advance as a species, the more metal we need. We either mine it or grow it – those are the two ways in which you’ll get raw material,” insights Sekano.
SETTING SUSTAINABLE BENCHMARKS
As Wesizwe looks towards the future of the ever-critical mining sector and its role as an industry stalwart, the
Quality Construction and Engineering Services
Mvesto Investment strives to provide excellent services and solutions to both public and private sectors. We pride ourselves with Quality of Work and Professionalism on all our projects.
“WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE ADVERSE EVENTS ARE INEVITABLE, AND WE ARE NOT IMMUNE. IT’S NOT ABOUT HOW WE FALL, BUT HOW WE GET UP, AND THAT’S WHAT WE’RE DOING NOW – GETTING OURSELVES BACK ON OUR FEET, DUSTING OURSELVES OFF, AND PUSHING FORWARD”
– BENJAMIN NALEDI SEKANO, EXECUTIVE HEAD OPERATIONS, WESIZWE PLATINUM LIMITED
company’s most important priority is to complete the Bakubung mine.
Notably, Wesizwe’s immediate focus is on its orebody development and outstanding infrastructure, which are the building blocks of finishing production. Once completed, the company will ascertain how to make Bakubung sustainable for the next 50 years, as the ore body is bountiful.
For Wesizwe, it’s not a one-day game; ensuring the settings in the
plant are correct means it will take time to get it fully up and running.
“We have to figure it out as we go. You’ll find some things work and some don’t before getting it all stabilised, and that’s what we’re focusing on,” highlights Sekano.
“We live in a world where adverse events are inevitable, and we are not immune. It’s not about how we fall, but how we get up, and that’s what we’re doing now – getting ourselves back
on our feet, dusting ourselves off, and pushing forward.”
Planned mining operations for Bakubung include the extraction of both the Merensky reef and Upper Group 2 (UG2) Chromitite layer. The hoisting capacity of the main shaft is 250 ktpm of reef and 15 ktpm of waste. Mining operations will be facilitated through the use of both mechanised and hybrid mining methods.
“I want to see this place succeed and prove we can build this mine, and that’s what we’re doing,” passionately concludes Sekano.
With over 75 years in the industry, Moolmans is one of Africa’s largest open-cut mining contractors with an enviable portfolio of projects across South Africa. Rod Dixon, Managing Director, talks through the company’s unmatched reputation for dependable service and quality results
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
The South African mining industry undoubtedly remains a significant contributor to the country’s economy, employing close to 475,000 people and contributing hundreds of billions of rand to South Africa’s (SA) GDP annually.
However, mining’s total economic contributions have in fact fallen in recent years on account of global and national challenges. Declining production in certain sectors, infrastructure problems, modernisation, safety and security concerns, skills gaps, and logistics and transport challenges, to name a few, have persisted across SA’s mining landscape.
International industry obstacles, meanwhile, including geopolitical tensions, volatile commodity pricing, uncertain markets, and increasing stakeholder pressure to reduce the sector’s environmental and social footprints, are having an equally detrimental impact.
Nevertheless, there are ongoing efforts to overcome these challenges by attracting investment and increasing spending in new mining projects and exploration activities, which will support the industry’s forecasted growth following improvements to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE) mining cadastre system.
HOW HAS YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGIES ENHANCED
TRAINING AT THE GAMSBERG MINE AND HELPED YOU TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL UPSKILLING OF YOUR EMPLOYEES?
Rod Dixon, Managing Director: “Investment in learning and development is a primary focus of the business as we seek to maintain and grow our position as an employer of choice and develop our current and future talent pipeline at every level to deliver the highest quality service to our customers.
“A key example of our investment in technical training is our partnership with Immersive Technologies, which has resulted in the addition of two simulators in the training centre at our Gamsberg project. This cutting-edge technology allows us to upskill our employees for the mine by integrating people, processes, and technology using real data and hands-on experience.
“The initiative is designed to improve safety, drive efficiencies, and boost productivity in the production and engineering environments and geared towards achieving the mine’s business goals.
“Importantly, Moolmans has a long and proud history of extending training beyond the workplace. By investing in training within the communities where we operate, we are building a skills pool to serve the mines and empower local areas.”
Investment in the country’s mining sector is also expected to be boosted by growing outlays on renewable energy projects.
“Around 70 percent of confirmed utility-scale renewable energy projects are related to the mining sector. This means there are potentially about 90 mining projects with an estimated investment value of around ZAR275 billion over the next several years,” opens Rod Dixon, Managing Director of Moolmans, one of Africa’s largest open-cut mining contractors.
“So, whilst there may not be significant greenfield mining investment in the foreseeable future, mining companies will
be investing to future-proof existing operations,” he expands.
A PREMIER MINING CONTRACTOR
This year marks Moolmans’ 75th anniversary, presenting the company with the opportunity to reflect on its past, celebrate its achievements, and look towards a brighter future.
Over the last seven decades, Moolmans has developed an unparalleled reputation in the opencut mining sector, renowned for its dependable service and commitment to delivering quality results.
“Our proud and long-standing reputation for exceptional reliability and industry performance is the cornerstone of the strong relationships we enjoy with our clients
and the foundation of our success.
“But this reputation alone is not enough to ensure Moolmans remains a forerunner on the continent, as we continue to deliver end-to-end open-cut mining and rehabilitation excellence,” Dixon notes.
With extensive experience in both hard and soft rock environments, the company offers a full range of opencut mining services, from short-term waste mining and bulk earthworks to long-term mining solutions and rehabilitation.
Moolmans’ far-reaching footprint across SA comprises two significant contracts. In January 2023, the company entered into a five-year contract with long-standing client Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining, SA’s largest manganese exporter, whilst
also signing a multi-billion-rand contract with Black Mining Mountain (BMM) in the Northern Cape earlier this year.
The strength of Moolmans is further underpinned by robust partnerships, extensive experience in remote and difficult locations, and a track record of sound project delivery.
“Our success is also attributed to an executive team that brings diverse expertise and extensive experience, alongside a workforce of more than 1,600 employees.
“These include skilled and experienced operators, disciplined project managers, qualified engineers, quality, health, safety, and environment (QHSE) professionals, and a range of support staff, all grounded in a culture of customer centricity,” he prides.
A NEW CORPORATE IDENTITY
In August 2024, Moolmans took the opportunity to pursue independent growth strategies after its owner Aveng announced it would be exploring alternative ownership options, presenting scope for a refresh of the strong and respected Moolmans brand.
Building on the company’s solid reputation and 75 years of experience in the African mining landscape, Moolmans’ bold new logo visually demonstrates a progressive outlook for the business and its advanced ways of thinking about mining in a world that is increasingly focused on sustainability.
“Delivering innovative solutions for our clients is driven by harnessing the collective strengths of our people. Our new brand identity reflects our ongoing investment in our people, equipment, processes, and systems,” Dixon adds.
Moolmans’ new brand identity is just as important internally because it focuses the company’s collective action on a common goal – crafting a better future for shareholders and delivering prosperity wherever it operates.
RENEWED CONTRACTS
In February this year, Moolmans secured a 60-month, ZAR10.6 billion contract with BMM –jointly owned by Vendanta Zinc International and Exxaro Resources – for the open-pit Gamsberg mine in the Northern Cape.
The project comes on the back of Moolmans’ previous extended contract at Gamsberg with BMM
– also an open-pit operation and the largest zinc project in the region.
“This renewed contract is a testament to the value-added relationships we have with our customers and suppliers and confirms Moolmans’ reputation in the industry for exceptional reliability and performance,” Dixon highlights.
A dedicated team has already overseen the ramp up of the project to full operation and ensured a seamless
transition to the new contract whilst maintaining the highest safety and productivity standards.
Moreover, in order to meet its obligations to deliver significantly increased volumes at Gamsberg, the company has deployed previously used equipment from completed projects and commissioned new machinery in partnership with key original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) through a ZAR1.3 billion fleet renewal programme, making Moolmans an integral part of BMM’s growth strategy.
Based on the company’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence, and in the context of an increased scope of work, the new contract will facilitate the addition of 340 team members to the existing site workforce, which now sits at just under 700 people in total.
“BEING ONE OF AFRICA’S PREMIER CONTRACT MINERS DOESN’T ONLY MEAN THAT WE DELIVER OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE –IT ALSO MEANS THAT WE CARE”
– ROD DIXON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MOOLMANS
“This demonstrates Moolmans’ dedication to supporting customers in boosting employment and economic benefits in the areas where we operate,” he affirms.
ADVANCEMENTS IN AUTOMATION
Having traditionally relied upon manual labour in previous decades, the opencast mining sector has experienced a remarkable revolution in process innovation in recent years.
“Automation, real-time data analytics, remote operation centres, and artificial intelligence (AI) are no longer just buzzwords – they
are helping transform the mining sector into a new era of unparalleled efficiency, heightened safety, and improved environmental performance.
“They are also the driving forces behind Moolmans’ quest for continuous improvement,” Dixon expresses.
Automation, in particular, is playing a key role in reforming opencast mining by integrating sophisticated machinery and systems that minimise human intervention and maximise productivity.
With nearly eight decades of experience and one of the largest and
diverse fleets of mining equipment in Africa, next-generation technology is being applied to enhance productivity, safety, and efficiency.
Real-time data analytics, specifically, are transforming the way Moolmans’ operations are monitored and managed.
By leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) devices, sensors, and advanced software, the company collects and analyses vast amounts of data instantaneously.
This data-driven approach allows for real-time monitoring of equipment performance and environmental conditions, whilst predictive
MAKULA EARTH MOVING (PTY)
Makula Earth Moving - Part of the Erindale Holdings Group
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF LEADERSHIP?
Rod Dixon, Managing Director:
“My leadership style is peoplecentric and collaborative. I believe that when you genuinely care about people and invest in their growth, it creates a ripple effect of motivation, trust, and performance. I have a strong drive to help others develop, whether they’re part of my immediate team or someone who crosses my path.
“At the same time, I’m resultsdriven and hold myself and others to high standards. I strive for excellence, but not at the expense of people. I see success as something we achieve together through open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to common goals.”
maintenance identifies potential equipment failures before they occur, reducing downtime and costs.
Adding to the list of innovations, Moolmans’ recently introduced command centres represent significant advancements in mining management and highlight the value of an efficient planning process.
The centres allow for the remote control and monitoring of mining activities, removing individuals from mine site hazards.
“Leveraging state-of-the-art communication technologies, operators can manage equipment, analyse data, and make real-time decisions without being physically present in the pit, enhancing safety and reducing response times,” Dixon elaborates.
Moolmans is equally embracing the transformative potential of AI, recognising its pivotal role in modernising operations and the opencast mining sector as a whole.
The implementation of AI algorithms means the company can analyse vast data sets to identify patterns and optimise mining operations with pinpoint precision, empowering smarter decisionmaking and more efficient resource management.
As such, these systems enhance operational planning by accurately forecasting production outcomes and resource needs.
“The future of mining is sustainable, smart, and highly advanced, and Moolmans is keeping pace with cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to achieve our vision of being the premier mining contractor in Africa,” Dixon emphasises.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CARE
Moolmans recognises that the success of its operations relies on a climate of socioeconomic prosperity.
“Being one of Africa’s premier contract miners doesn’t only mean that we deliver operational excellence – it also means that we care,” Dixon shares.
“We care about whether our employees and customers are proud to work with us and our communities are proud to be associated with us, we care about the environment and building a sustainable future, and we care about the way we do things.”
In aid of this conviction, the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies across all operations are aligned with internationally recognised sustainability guidelines and principles.
With this in mind, Moolmans responds to a range of community needs and strives to build sustainable
social capital in the communities where it operates.
It is equally important to the company that it mobilises and builds on its relationships with customers and other stakeholders to ensure a broader and more meaningful impact on the local community.
“This closely aligns with our values, from showing we care and collaborating with our partners to ensuring we have a workforce that is fit to deliver excellent performance for our customers,” says Dixon.
As Moolmans looks to the next 75 years, the company must build on its resilience and ability to adapt to an everchanging mining environment in order to solidify its place as a premier mining contractor in Africa.
The immediate focus of the leadership team is to enhance operational efficiencies through strategic capital investments, mine planning, and fleet optimisation.
Longer term, the company seeks
to diversify across geographical, commodity, and currency lines.
“Our ongoing and future investment in our people and the processes, systems, and technology that keep us at the cutting edge will be critical and a key focus for our business,” Dixon concludes.
In a rapidly evolving mining landscape, Afrimat Mining Services (Pty) Ltd stands out with its comprehensive pit-to-port solutions, driven by operational efficiency and sustainability. Executive Director, Michael Corbin, discusses its integrated approach, innovative drilling practices, and adaptability across diverse operations
Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
Contributing to the advancement of the mining industry in South Africa (SA), Afrimat Mining Services (Pty) Ltd (AMS), formerly known as Afrimat Contracting International, is a dynamic division of the Afrimat Group (Afrimat) – a leading mid-tier, multi-commodity mining company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).
Since its listing in 2006, the group has steadily expanded its footprint across Southern Africa, producing and supplying a range of materials including construction aggregates, iron ore, anthracite, and other
industrial minerals.
AMS was established during the rollout of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, where it initially provided drilling, blasting, and mobile crushing services to major contractors. Since then, the business has evolved significantly as part of Afrimat’s broader strategy to diversify its service offering and expand its value chain.
Today, AMS delivers comprehensive pit-to-port mining solutions across the mining, construction, and quarrying sectors. Its integrated services include mine planning,
drilling and blasting, load and haul operations, crushing and screening, product beneficiation, rehabilitation, and rail load-out management and logistics.
With a strong presence throughout Southern Africa and a growing fleet of modern, fit-for-purpose equipment, AMS continues to play a crucial role in Afrimat’s culture of operational excellence and sustainable growth.
“Our division is powered by a team of highly skilled and dedicated professionals. We are committed to consistently delivering top results and achieving excellence with unwavering
integrity,” introduces Michael Corbin, Executive Director.
“This dedication is deeply rooted in the group’s vision to unlock maximum value across the entire resources sector, ensuring that every endeavour is executed with the highest standards of expertise and ethical conduct,” he adds.
ENHANCING EFFICIENCY
AMS’s strength lies in the seamless integration of its core business segments – mine planning, drilling and blasting, load and haul, crushing and screening, beneficiation, rehabilitation, and rail load-out logistics.
“Each element plays a vital role in the mining and construction value chain, working together to create a streamlined, pit-to-port solution. This integrated model allows for greater control, efficiency, and adaptability across projects, ultimately driving performance and cost-effectiveness,” outlines Corbin.
Of all AMS’s services, drilling and blasting remains one of the most critical. As the first stage of material extraction, its optimisation has a direct impact on the efficiency of downstream processes, which leads
to cost savings for clients.
“By improving blast accuracy and drill performance, we can reduce explosive use, lower material handling costs, and produce enhanced fragmentation, resulting in lower crushing costs and more consistent product quality.”
Current initiatives in this segment include investing in advanced drill technologies, data-driven decisionmaking, and continuous operator training. These efforts are designed to improve precision, safety, and cost control, reinforcing AMS’s position as a leader in efficient mining practices.
Furthermore, owning its fleet of state-of-the-art top hammer and down-the-hole (DTH) drill rigs plays an essential role in enhancing the division’s on-site efficiency and adaptability.
“By having immediate access to equipment, we avoid the delays typically associated with thirdparty rentals, allowing our teams to respond swiftly to changing ground conditions, shifting production targets, or unexpected breakdowns,” Corbin explains.
“It also enables us to tailor rigs to specific geological and operational site requirements. This level of customisation improves drilling accuracy and enhances blasting control – key drivers of overall project performance.”
Beyond operational flexibility,
fleet ownership supports longterm cost control and planning, providing greater predictability in terms of maintenance, upgrades, and replacements – turning the fleet into a strategic asset rather than just a functional tool.
“Ultimately, it gives us greater agility and control – essential qualities in today’s fast-paced mining environment,” notes Corbin.
BLASTING THROUGH BOUNDARIES
As it focuses on supporting Afrimat’s internal quarrying and mining operations, AMS is delivering economical, high-performance drilling and blasting services that maintain the group’s competitive edge through precise cost control and operational efficiency.
“When done accurately, ours remains the most costeffective method of rock and ore fragmentation – setting the stage for successful downstream processes,” Corbin assures.
“Whilst internal support remains a cornerstone of our strategy, our growth trajectory increasingly relies on external opportunities. Building strong partnerships and extending our services beyond Afrimat is a key area for our leadership team.”
As AMS navigates this evolving landscape, it is committed to leveraging both its capabilities and partnerships to drive meaningful progress.
“Currently, several key projects in SA reflect our internal strengths and external growth ambitions. Notably, the De Groote Boom chrome mine in
Mpumalanga marks a significant step in our market expansion.
“We recently signed a two-year contract to manage all drilling and blasting operations at this site, which poses unique geological challenges that require technical accuracy and adaptability,” he reveals.
AMS is managing the mine’s complex geology whilst achieving
“OUR DIVISION IS POWERED BY A TEAM OF HIGHLY SKILLED AND DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONSISTENTLY DELIVERING TOP RESULTS AND ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE WITH UNWAVERING INTEGRITY”
–
MICHAEL CORBIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AFRIMAT MINING SERVICES (PTY) LTD
monthly targets of 100,000 to 130,000 cubic metres (cbm) for both waste and chrome ore, demonstrating consistent results.
“Meanwhile, at the Nkomati Anthracite Mine, AMS operates four DTH drill rigs 24 hours a day, six days a week, drilling down to the coal seam and blasting overburden waste to optimise load and haul operations,”
Corbin continues.
This project achieves approximately 600,000 cbm monthly, totalling over 7.2 million cbm annually, showcasing the division’s capacity for continuous, high-efficiency operations in demanding environments.
“In the Northern Cape, AMS is active at four iron ore sites, managing both drilling and blasting for waste and ore.
BUILDING RESILIENCE
In an industry where conditions shift rapidly and client demands evolve without warning, adaptability isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity.
AMS has embraced this reality by cultivating strong, long-term relationships with a network of reliable subcontractors who enhance its ability to respond swiftly and effectively.
“Through strategic partnerships with specialists in crushing, load and haul, and drilling, we’ve built a flexible operational model that ensures continuity and performance, even under tight timelines. These subcontractors are not just service providers, they’re extensions of our team, carefully selected for their technical capabilities, safety track records, and alignment with our values,” Corbin enthuses.
“We often tender for projects in collaboration with our subcontractors, a model that has proven highly effective. By blending our core capabilities with the specialised skills and equipment of our partners, we’re able to offer clients smart, scalable solutions, without the heavy capital expenditure (CapEx) burden.”
This exemplifies AMS’s strategic alignment of practicality and innovation, effectively integrating both concepts to develop organisational effectiveness and cultivate creative solutions.
These sites collectively deliver around 500,000 cbm per month and exceed six million cbm per year, reinforcing our reliability in long-term contracts,” Corbin prides.
These projects not only highlight AMS’s technical capabilities but also underscore its dual focus on delivering value within Afrimat whilst expanding the group’s external market footprint.
Every site plays a role in promoting cost efficiency, operational excellence, and building long-term partnerships in the mining industry.
A STRATEGIC PATHWAY
For Afrimat, its most important ongoing investment is in the development and well-being of employees.
“We’re dedicated to cultivating both technical and managerial talent, recognising that strong leaders at every level are essential for the group’s sustainable growth,” Corbin impassions.
“By consistently upskilling our teams, from specialised mechanical expertise to robust leadership capabilities, we’re building a workforce fully equipped to meet future demands and drive our success.”
In addition, AMS provides operational support to junior miners in the form of mine planning, production, and marketing where required.
Elsewhere, Afrimat’s recent acquisition of Lafarge South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd from the Holcim Group has significantly impacted its operations and growth strategy.
The acquisition has been transformative in accelerating Afrimat’s diversification into cement and fly-ash, strengthening the construction materials division, unlocking scale and market reach, and delivering upfront synergies with a clear roadmap to profitability across all assets.
Extend Machinery Life. Reduce Costs. Protect Production.
Industry: Mining | Application: Sinter Plant | Location: South Africa
Immediate, Measurable Results:
•
• Oil Cleanliness improved f rom ISO 4406 23/22/19 to 15/13/10 in just seven days—well below industry targets. Chromium particles were fully removed.
severe threat to gearbox performance. These abrasive particles accelerate wear on gears, bearings, and seals, leading to unexpected failures, costly repairs, and production delays. With gearboxes valued at over ZAR480,000 and delivery times stretching to 52 weeks, downtime is not an option.
To tackle this challenge, Filtration Management Solutions (FMS), in partnership with DesCase, deployed an advanced Offline Filtration System (OLUHS1A). Equipped with a heater, Oil Quality Sensor (OQS), Contamination Monitoring Sensor (CMS), and glass fiber filter elements, the system was installed on two critical gearboxes at a South Af rican sinter plant. Additional components included desiccant breathers, a 3D Bullseye®, and breather adapter kits-all designed to eliminate moisture, detect contamination, and support visual oil analysis.
• Iron wear reduced by 2.5x, extending gearbox life and reliability.
Massive Return on Investment:
•Annual cost savings: ZAR160,000 per gearbox
•Total system cost: ZAR460,000 (for two gearboxes)
• Payback period: Only 17 months
•Internal Rate of Return (IRR): Over 200%
•5-year Net Present Value (NPV): R620,000
Why it Works:
The OLUHS system continuously filters and monitors oil, maintaining optimal cleanliness whilst excluding contaminants. This significantly reduces f riction, minimises maintenance downtime, and extends the service life of gearbox components.
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This strategic move is particularly significant as AMS’s primary focus is currently on Sub-Saharan Africa, where it recognises considerable potential within the continent’s vast, underutilised mineral resources and developing mining sectors.
“Many African nations lack in-house expertise or capital, creating a demand for experienced contract miners like us,” enlightens Corbin.
Indeed, strategic growth and diversification necessitate strategic partnerships with local entities, which can provide invaluable local knowledge and shared risks. Afrimat’s proven ability to acquire and revitalise distressed assets could be applied to international mining operations.
“Despite significant opportunities, there are also challenges, including international expansion which involves geopolitical risk, logistical complexities, intense competition, stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance, and substantial capital requirements,” he points out.
“WHILST INTERNAL SUPPORT REMAINS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR STRATEGY, OUR GROWTH TRAJECTORY INCREASINGLY RELIES ON EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES. BUILDING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS AND EXTENDING OUR SERVICES BEYOND AFRIMAT IS A KEY AREA FOR OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM”
– MICHAEL CORBIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AFRIMAT MINING SERVICES (PTY) LTD
However, AMS’s two key priorities for the coming year are the seamless integration of the group’s latest acquisitions and the continued upskilling of its workforce.
These efforts are critical in positioning Afrimat for sustainable expansion, with a particular focus on scaling the contracting division in 2026.
“By strengthening internal capabilities and building a skilled, agile team, AMS is laying the foundation for long-term growth and competitiveness in the mining services sector,” concludes Corbin confidently.
Tel: +27 21 917 8840
info@afrimat.co.za https://www.afrimat.co.za/
Our Core Services Include: 49 Years of Trusted Rail Solutions
For nearly five decades, Rail & Siding has proudly delivered top-quality maintenance services across rail sidings, mainlines, and the construction of new railway lines and related civil works. Our commitment is simple: deliver the highest standard of work efficiently and right the first time.
Built on a foundation of integrity, trust, honesty, and humility, our business continues to grow under the unwavering guidance of our Heavenly Father.
Rail & Siding – 49 Years of Trusted Rail Solutions
• Rail Siding Maintenance
• Construction and Planning
• Track Installation in Concrete
• Rail Welding and Refurbishment
• Rail Track Reinstatement
• Rail Siding Inspections and Condition Assessments
• Ultrasonic Rail Testing
For nearly five decades, Rail & Siding has proudly delivered top-quality maintenance services across rail sidings, mainlines, and the construction of new railway lines and related civil works. Our commitment is simple: deliver the highest standard of work, efficiently and right the first time.
• Track Geometry Measurement
• Mechanical Screening and Tamping Projects
Built on a foundation of integrity, trust, honesty, and humility, our business continues to grow under the unwavering guidance of our Heavenly Father.
Our Core Services Include:
At Rail & Siding, we don’t just offer a service — we forge reliable, long-term partnerships based on trust and performance. We are proud to be part of the Afrimat Group, continuing our legacy of excellence in the rail industry.
• Rail Siding Maintenance, Construction & Planning
SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND
We revisit mineral drilling contractor Swick Mining Services, whose executive team reflect on the company’s growth story over the past two years
Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
It was a record-breaking FY25 for Swick Mining Services (Swick), a leading provider of drilling services across a wide spectrum of commodities.
The company maintained its full client base and secured all contract extensions and renewals, according to Business Development Manager, Robert Burnett, who we last spoke to in June 2023.
“Swick achieved a 21.43 percent increase in drill metres, rising from 1.4 million in FY24 to 1.7 million,” he updates us.
Moreover, its operating sites grew from 22 to 27, supported by an increase in personnel from 753 employees to 907.
Swick, which is now part of the Perenti group of companies, also expanded internationally, successfully entering Canada with the deployment of two rigs under new client contracts.
DRILLING OPERATIONS
Strategically, the company reinforced its gold-focused operations in FY25, with 45 percent of sites operating in this commodity, supported by favourable market conditions.
As well as gold, the commodities Swick actively supports include copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, tin, zinc, lead, silver, and uranium.
Each of these presents unique geological conditions that influence drilling methodology, equipment selection, and operational planning.
“Swick’s strategic engagement with clients is underpinned by a deep understanding of their operational priorities and the geological complexities associated with each resource,” Burnett outlines.
“Our approach is both adaptive and data-driven, ensuring optimal performance and safety across varied terrains and mineral profiles.”
The company’s drilling operations are tailored to meet the specific demands of each commodity,
with techniques refined to address hard rock formations, reactive and moisture-sensitive environments, deep and structurally complex ore bodies, and soft sedimentary layers.
Swick’s engineering and field teams continuously innovate to overcome these challenges, leveraging proprietary rig designs, real-time data acquisition, and rigorous safety goals.
Strategic client positioning also ensures the company remains aligned with both short-term project goals and long-term resource development.
“This includes customised drilling programmes based on commodityspecific exploration and production targets, integrated reporting and analytics to support client decisionmaking and regulatory compliance, and collaborative planning to optimise rig deployment, reduce downtime, and enhance cost-efficiency,” Burnett tells us.
DEEPEX INVESTMENT
Swick further advanced its technology portfolio in FY25 with investment in DeepEX rigs capable of drilling up to 3,000 metres (m) and large diameter infrastructure holes, providing significant opportunities to clients.
There was a time when the demand for exploration was a lot higher, especially in hole depths of over 1,000m.
However, Swick wasn’t widely known or perceived by the market as being in that space, even though its rigs and personnel were more than capable of doing those types of holes.
The company therefore ended up investing in DeepEX to modify its mobile rig to drill even deeper than its standard rig.
“We’ve used the same people within that, and it’s been a very successful part of our business. It’s a small offering we have there but more and more clients are looking at it,” shares Nick Rossides, General Manager.
DeepEX continues to expand the company’s capabilities in underground engineering, delivering innovative, high-precision solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the mining and geotechnical sectors.
With an operational range effective from -90° to +45° angles, it executes precision breakthrough drilling into underground voids to facilitate Cavity Auto-Scanning Laser System (C-ALS) surveys.
This real-time mapping technology enables accurate measurement of void dimensions, muck pile propagation, and stope or cave geometry.
“DeepEX enhances stope management, supports backfill planning, and improves safety through better void visualisation,” elaborates Burnett.
“DEEPEX ENHANCES STOPE MANAGEMENT, SUPPORTS BACKFILL PLANNING, AND IMPROVES SAFETY THROUGH BETTER VOID VISUALISATION”
– ROBERT BURNETT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, SWICK MINING SERVICES
YOUR PARTNERS IN FLEET MANAGEMENT
At Fleet Integrations, we work with you to find the right Fleet and Driver Safety Solution for your business.
Can you provide an insight into the history of Fleet Integrations over the last 20 years and how the industry has evolved over this time?
Fleet Integrations was founded more than two decades ago in the UK and quickly became an industry pioneer. What began as a mission to transform driver safety has become a global success story. Today, the company proudly operates from its head office in Australia, servicing clients across multiple continents and leading the way in driver safety technology and consulting.
Briefly introduce us to Fleet Integrations with an overview of your telematics solutions.
With more than 25 years of experience and an extensive portfolio of successful projects under our belt, Fleet Integrations is now a recognised name in fleet safety and Driver Safety Systems, renowned not just for cutting-edge technology but for its unwavering commitment to protecting
lives, reducing risks and improving driver behaviour.
At Fleet Integrations, we deliver tailored solutions to the complex and evolving challenges faced daily by the Mining and Oil and Gas sectors. From our headquarters in Perth, Western Australia, our team is strategically positioned to mobilise rapidly and deliver results anywhere in the world — with precision, efficiency, and expertise.
How do Fleet Integrations telematics solutions differentiate it from the competition?
Fleet Integrations goes beyond delivering market-leading products — we embed safety into the DNA of your organisation. Our consulting expertise spans Driver Safety Manuals and Policies, Journey Management Planning, Emergency and Incident Procedures, Coaching and Behavioural Programmes, and Risk Collaboration. It’s a truly holistic approach — beginning with hardware integration and culminating in long-term cultural transformation.
Following on from this, in what ways does driver safety underpin the company’s operations and success?
At Fleet Integrations, driver safety isn’t a checkbox — it’s the structural core of our entire operation. It reduces risk, builds trust, and empowers consistent, professional service. Safety is more than compliance; it’s care. When we prioritise driver well-being, we strengthen relationships within our team and with our clients. A fleet recognised for professionalism and safe conduct becomes more than dependable — it becomes a brand known for forward-thinking leadership.
How does Fleet Integrations optimise vehicle fleets for mining and oil and gas operations specifically?
Fleet Integrations empowers fleets with advanced In-Vehicle Monitoring Systems (IVMS), delivering real-time insights into driver behaviour — from the initial login to the vehicle to provide accountability through to all aspects of driving risk and journey monitoring. These systems provide instant in cab alerts irrespective of cellular service and trendbased reporting, enabling immediate intervention and long-term risk reduction.
Pushing past traditional telematics, our AI-driven fatigue and distraction monitoring leverages eye
movement analysis and micro-sleep detection to identify risk before it escalates. In-cabin warnings keep drivers informed, while backend alerts support operations teams in making fast, informed decisions.
Both technologies integrate seamlessly into broader safety strategies, transforming data into decisive action and converting risk into measurable control.
Could you elaborate on your partnership with Swick Mining? In what ways do the two companies mutually benefit each other?
Fleet Integrations was engaged by Swick Mining through the previous works provided within the Perenti Group, as part of a broader initiative to elevate safety and operational efficiency across their light vehicle fleet. Our team implemented advanced IVMS and AI-powered driver monitoring technologies to promote safer driving behaviour, manage fatigue risk, and ensure compliance with stringent site protocols. These integrated solutions have significantly reduced on-road incidents, enhanced driver accountability, and streamlined reporting throughout Swick’s operations.
The partnership has not only strengthened Fleet Integrations’ presence in the mining sector but also deepened our understanding of the unique safety requirements in underground, surface, and remote environments. This insight continues to inform and refine our solutions, allowing us
to better serve the evolving needs of resourcesector clients.
What completed, ongoing, or recent projects would you like to showcase?
One of Fleet Integrations’ most impactful ongoing initiatives is the national deployment of IVMS and AI-based driver fatigue monitoring systems across Swick Mining and Perenti Group assets throughout Australia. This project reflects a significant commitment by both companies to elevate safety standards — particularly in highrisk, remote environments where driver vigilance is essential.
Fleet Integrations was entrusted to design and install a fleet-wide solution encompassing real-time vehicle tracking, fatigue detection technologies, and comprehensive behavioural reporting.
The strategic importance of this roll-out lies not just in its technical execution but in its industry influence: partnering with two of Australia’s most respected mining and drilling providers reinforces Fleet Integrations’ role as a trusted safety partner in the resources sector.
At its core, this initiative prioritises driver wellbeing. This project exemplifies our broader mission: helping operators embed genuine safety cultures through intelligent systems, meaningful insights, and responsive field support.
END OF AN ERA
After 27 years of visionary leadership, Kent Swick, Founder and Managing Director, officially announced his retirement in January this year.
From a modest start-up focused on long hole production, he built Swick into the largest underground diamond drilling company globally, pioneering mobile drill rig technology and expanding into international markets.
Kent’s legacy is not only defined by innovation and growth but by the culture he cultivated – one of integrity, resilience, and excellence.
“His retirement marks the end of an era, but his influence will continue to shape Swick’s trajectory,” Burnett reflects.
Its engineering scope also includes seismic smart marker installations in high-activity ground zones, which can be spaced as close as 50 centimetres apart.
These sensors transmit live geotechnical data to engineering teams, enabling predictive modelling of seismic events and cave behaviour, proactive risk mitigation, and realtime geotechnical monitoring.
“DeepEX also drills and installs stress cells to monitor in-situ stress conditions, supporting structural integrity assessments and mine design optimisation,” Burnett notes.
The rigs additionally provide high-precision drilling for critical underground infrastructure, including drainage systems, electrical and communication cabling, and paste fill lines, which reduces installation time and ensures alignment with mine service layouts.
“Underground infrastructure drilling allows the mine to continue growing and service other areas,” Rossides affirms.
Equally, rigs are equipped to safely drill into and continue through large underground voids, supporting exploration, ventilation, and infrastructure expansion.
“DeepEX rigs are engineered for versatility and performance, with drilling strategies such as top-down collar, bottom-up, and custom fit-forpurpose equipment,” Burnett informs.
“This flexibility ensures compatibility with a wide range of underground applications, from instrumentation to service line installation.”
UPSKILLING DRILLERS
Alongside its investment in DeepEX rigs, Swick is committed to operational excellence through
its comprehensive Driller Training Programme, which is designed to upskill, retain, and develop the next generation of drilling professionals.
The programme’s initiatives begin at Swick’s training facility located in Perth, Western Australia (WA).
This facility provides a controlled environment where new recruits are introduced to the fundamentals of drilling operations, safety protocols, and equipment handling, ensuring they are well prepared before stepping on site.
“Once in the field, training continues through a hands-on,
“ONCE IN THE FIELD, TRAINING CONTINUES THROUGH A HANDS-ON, ENGAGING EXPERIENCE LED BY OUR DEDICATED TECHNICAL TRAINERS, ALONGSIDE EXPERIENCED OFFSIDERS AND DRILLERS”
– CHRIS LOO, OPERATIONS MANAGER, SWICK MINING SERVICES
engaging experience led by our dedicated technical trainers, alongside experienced offsiders and drillers,” reveals Chris Loo, Operations Manager.
“This on-site mentorship model ensures that learning is continuous, allowing new team members to build their skills and capability in the role.”
The collaborative environment fosters knowledge sharing and reinforces a strong safety culture, which is critical to Swick’s operational success.
To formalise and recognise the skills acquired, all offsiders are enrolled in
the Certificate II in Drilling Operations, whilst drillers progress through the Certificate III and IV qualifications.
“These nationally accredited certifications not only validate technical proficiency but also provide clear career pathways within the business,” Loo highlights.
“By investing in structured learning and professional development, we not only enhance workforce capability but also strengthen employee engagement and retention, ensuring our teams are equipped, motivated, and ready to meet the challenges of modern drilling operations.”
AUSTRALIA’S LEADING AND LARGEST 4WD SPECIALISTS
Setting itself apart with high-quality products, a dedicated approach to customer service, and a vast inventory of vehicle parts supported by an Australia-wide courier network, Oriental 4WD and Commercials emerges as a first-choice spare parts supplier.
Specialising in late model low-kilometre vehicles, Oriental 4WD & Commercials (Oriental) is Australia’s largest 4WD, Commercial, and SUV dismantler.
Established in 1966 as one of South Australia’s (SA) very first wreckers, we’ve been here long enough to have built a reputation as Australia’s leading dismantler – a title we strive to live up to every day.
Located in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, our large, well-organised,
five-acre site is fully equipped to provide the best possible products, services, and spares to our clients.
Our unmatched industry expertise, meanwhile, has allowed us to impart unique market knowledge to our customers, going above and beyond to assist them in any way we can.
QUALITY COMES FIRST
At Oriental, we understand the importance of having access to high-quality 4WD spare parts to ensure the smooth running of your vehicle.
Therefore, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality parts at the best prices.
Supported by an Australia-wide courier network, our extensive, nationally integrated inventory system ensures parts can be found quickly, accurately, and at a competitive price.
Our dedication to quality is recognised by our customers, who often commend us on the quality, variety, and price point of Oriental’s products. We strive to deliver a fast and reliable service. If we don’t have the parts you need, we will go above and beyond to source them for you!
What’s more, Oriental stands behind the quality of our products with a minimum three-month parts and labour warranty, which can be extended up to six and twelve months depending on the vehicle.
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Dedicated to meeting the needs of our customers both online and in person from our main site in Lonsdale, SA, a wellinformed member of our team is always on hand to help – no matter how rare the spare part.
WHY CHOOSE ORIENTAL?
• High quality parts
• Excellent customer experience
• Large network of leading dismantlers
• Save money off new part prices
• Three months minimum parts guarantee
ORIENTAL’S RANGE OF PARTS COVERS:
• Toyota
• Ford
• Nissan
• Mazda
• Mitsubishi
• Holden
• Hyundai
• Isuzu
• Subaru
• Great Wall Motor (GWM)
• Suzuki
• Renault
• Jeep
• Dodge Ram Trucks
• Volkswagen
• Chevrolet Silverado
• LDV vans and utes
• Mercedes vans and utes
A PARTNER OF CHOICE
A valuable partner to Swick Mining (Swick), Oriental’s vast plethora of highquality, low-kilometre components, parts, and services sets it apart from other suppliers.
Having earned its reputation as a key partner to Swick over the years, the company is keen to partner with more mining companies that are seeking specialised replacement and spare parts for their mining fleet vehicles.
Choose Oriental today for the largest range of spare parts and the industry’s most competitive prices.
With the dismantled vehicles located onsite, we go above and beyond to source your spare part from within our inventory – even if it’s not on the shelf.
Having garnered a reputation for customer service excellence over the years, Oriental has secured a solid base of repeat customers who return time and again for not only the company’s extensive portfolio, but its competitive prices.
In addition, our deep-seated passion for the iconic Toyota LandCruiser range, particularly the 79 Series Utes, which we have an extensive inventory of high quality, late model, and low kilometre parts available. Alongside half a century of hands-on experience, we have built an unparalleled
suite of industry expertise and are always eager to share this knowledge with our clients.
WELL-EQUIPPED
In addition to providing top-quality products, Oriental has a fully equipped workshop complete with highly qualified mechanics onsite to service, repair, and fit your part to your vehicle. Committed to recycling – not wrecking –Oriental’s advanced, cutting-edge facilities are equipped to handle the safe removal, separation, containment, and recycling of potentially harmful fluids such as coolants, batteries, and brake fluids. Properly separated by our dedicated team
of professionals, these components can be fully recycled, helping reduce the risk of adverse environmental impacts and waste. In this way, Oriental’s sustainable approach goes hand-in-hand with the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements of many of its clients. Moreover, the company’s longstanding experience in dealing with all types of spare parts, fixtures, and fittings means it can repair or repatriate almost any 4WD vehicle. So whatever parts you need or simply want to find out more about Oriental’s dismantling services, give us a call today. We believe that no job is too big or small, and one way or another, we’ll keep you going!
Illustration above: Oriental 4WD & Commercials’ new stateof-the-art 6,000 square metre (sqm) undercover dismantling yard currently under construction.
EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE
Another aspect of Swick’s operational excellence is the expertise and experience of its employees, with around 15 percent of the workforce having been at the company for 10+ years.
Since 2023, the organisation has experienced significant growth in staffing, with the current headcount exceeding 730 direct hires across Australia.
This expansion reflects a strategic
focus on building internal capability whilst leveraging the support of several labour hire businesses.
“The collaboration between direct employment and labour hire partners has proven highly effective, enabling flexible workforce balance and ensuring operational continuity across all sites,” Loo observes.
A strong focus has been placed on upskilling Swick’s supervision and management personnel through a range of targeted
training programmes, including the implementation of the Leadership Development Programme.
The programme is designed to enhance leadership capability and support professional growth across the organisation.
“Additionally, in-house programmes like the Introduction to Supervision training and the redeveloped Drilling Fundamentals course are tailored to support the development of drillers, reinforcing technical proficiency and
operational excellence,” states Loo.
COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
Swick’s maintenance and engineering teams play a critical role in ensuring mechanical availability remains paramount across all operations. Their support is instrumental in driving the performance and growth of both new builds and rebuilds. With the capacity to build multiple rigs through their workshops, the teams are focused on delivering
WHY CHOOSE DEEPEX?
REAL-TIME DATA INTEGRATION –
Enables smarter, faster decisions underground.
CUSTOM ENGINEERING
SOLUTIONS – Equipment and methods are adapted to each project’s unique geological and operational context.
SAFETY-FIRST APPROACH – All drilling and installation methods are designed with safety and ground stability as top priorities.
PROVEN PERFORMANCE –
Successfully deployed across multiple high-seismic and complex void environments.
high-quality, reliable equipment ready to meet demands in the field.
Swick also has teams that focus purely on specialised programmes for specific customer requirements and can be deployed to certain sites.
“It might be a one-off programme that the client asks for, so we have specific teams we can send. The same can be said for our operations, management, and even health, safety, and environment (HSE) teams,” enlightens Rossides.
Powering Precision in Mining: TotalEnergies and the Rubia Works Advantage
In the demanding world of mining and drilling, reliability isn’t just expectedit’s essential. With machinery operating in high-dust, high-load environments and pushed to extremes across remote locations, lubricant choice can mean the difference between costly downtime and continuous production. That’s where TotalEnergies steps in, with its Rubia Works range of lubricants engineered specifically for the realities of mining operations.
As one of the world’s largest integrated energy companies, TotalEnergies brings unmatched expertise in lubrication technology, combining global innovation with practical, onthe-ground understanding of mining sector challenges. The result is a range of heavy-duty engine oils that not only protect engines but actively enhance performance and reduce costs.
DESIGNED FOR HARSH OPERATING CONDITIONS
Mining and drilling equipment faces some of the most punishing operating conditions across any
industry. Extended run times, abrasive contaminants, heavy load cycles, and high-temperature environments place continuous strain on engines and hydraulic systems.
TotalEnergies’ Rubia Works 4000 and 5000 ranges have been formulated specifically to handle these extremes. Using high-quality base oils and advanced additive systems, these lubricants deliver outstanding thermal stability, wear protection, and shear resistance.
Rubia Works 4000 15W-40 is engineered for extreme off- and on-highway conditions, offering exceptional oxidation resistance, extended drain intervals, cleaner engines, and proven performance under high temperatures. It meets top OEM approvals and is a premium, low-SAPS lubricant meeting the latest API CK-4 Standard.
Rubia Works 5000 10W-40 is formulated with synthetic technology base oil and the latest generation additives, providing enhanced
piston cleanliness and lubrication performance. Rubia Works 5000 10W40 is the ultimate solution for engines operating in demanding environments such as quarrying, construction and mining. This high-performance engine oil is engineered to endure long working periods under severe conditions, including high loads, dust and heat.
Whether running under full load in the heat of an open cut or grinding through abrasive material in underground tunnels, Rubia Works is proven to hold up under pressure.
GLOBAL EXPERTISE, LOCAL DELIVERY
With operations in more than 130 countries and a presence across key mining regions worldwide, TotalEnergies combines global resources with regional responsiveness. The company operates 47 lubricant manufacturing plants, nine grease
facilities, and two world-class R&D centres, and combines industrial strength with rapid delivery and technical support where it’s needed most.
Its technical teams collaborate closely with mining operators and OEMs to ensure compatibility with evolving engine technologies.
Rubia Works lubricants are approved by leading manufacturers including Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, and Volvo, making them a trusted choice for mixed fleets and standardised maintenance programs.
SUPPORTING EQUIPMENT LONGEVITY AND LOWER COSTS
Equipment performance and profitability in mining are
deeply interconnected. Unplanned maintenance, accelerated wear, and suboptimal oil performance all lead to increased operating costs. Rubia Works addresses these risks with a formulation that:
• Protects against high-temperature oxidation and breakdown
• Maintains stable viscosity under mechanical stress
• Promotes piston cleanliness and sludge control
• Enables extended drain intervals, reducing service frequency This translates to lower total cost of ownership and greater equipment availability - key benefits for operators focused on maximising production.
BUILT FOR MINING. BACKED BY TOTALENERGIES
. Rubia Works is more than just an engine oil. It’s the result of extensive field testing, ongoing collaboration with OEMs, and decades of experience supporting industrial and off-highway sectors. Every formulation is developed
with the unique requirements of mining in mind - high temperatures, harsh environments, and the need for continuous, high-load operation.
And with TotalEnergies’ commitment to quality control, logistics support, and technical expertise, mining operations have a lubricant partner that understands the pace and pressure of their industry.
THE BOTTOM LINE
In an industry where uptime is critical and failure is costly, TotalEnergies Rubia Works offers performance you can count on. Built for endurance and proven in extreme conditions, it keeps mining equipment moving - safely, efficiently, and without compromise. When it comes to protecting assets and powering productivity in mining, Rubia Works does more than meet the challenge. It’s built for it.
“All these people have come from an operational background within Swick, so they’ve actually experienced that type of work and have the solutions. It’s not just something they’ve read –they’ve actually lived it themselves, which goes a long way in terms of what
“I’VE BEEN WITH THE COMPANY FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS, AND WHEN I STARTED, WE HAD THREE DRILL RIGS. WE’VE NOW GOT 84 OPERATING GLOBALLY, BUT WE STILL INSTIL THAT FAMILY FEEL”
– NICK ROSSIDES, GENERAL MANAGER, SWICK MINING SERVICES
our clients expect, so that’s been a very big part of our success story.”
COMPANY CULTURE
Whilst being one of the world’s largest mineral drilling contractors, specialising in underground diamond
coring, Swick has always held onto and maintained its family values.
“I’ve been with the company for nearly 20 years, and when I started, we had three drill rigs. We’ve now got 84 operating globally, but we still instil that family feel,” Rossides prides.
CADmine Engineering is a multi-disciplined engineering and manufacturing business, servicing the mining and grain handling industries.
Founded in 2009 as a result of customer demand for reverse engineered parts, the company specialises in designing, developing and manufacturing quality products for a broad range of applications including new machine and workshop safety equipment, replacement parts for OEM machines and reverse engineering to reduce costs for the consumer. Our key strength along with our quality of products and service is our ability to find and develop solutions for those who are looking for gains in safety and efficiency in the workplace.
Roam with confidence with WCS, the trusted name in suspension for all truck, light commercial and 4WD vehicles.
Reliable Suspension Components for Superior Performance
At West Coast Suspension, we are dedicated to product excellence. Our suspension parts are crafted from high-quality materials, rigorously tested to withstand the harshest conditions. We offer a broad selection of shocks, springs, bushings, GVM upgrades, and other integral components that maximise your vehicle’s suspension system’s strength and reliability. By choosing our products, you’re not only getting superior performance but also longevity that stands the test of time.
Phone: 08 9378 2133 | Email: sales@jenkins.com.au www.westcoastsuspensions.com.au A proximity warning system that creates an active exclusion zone around moving machinery. When someone enters the zone, it alerts operators and pedestrians instantly.
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Located in Bellevue, we are a family-owned and operated local business since 1978, specialising in tyres, wheels, and batteries in a vast range from lawn mowers to agricultural products and everything in between.
We also have a specialised department for alignments for everyday cars, including early classic and late luxury cars, and have the capacity to do small truck and bus up to 8 tonnes with over 45 years of combined experience.
We provide services for mining products to suit most mine-specific needs. We pride ourselves on friendly customer service and offer follow-up maintenance services. Come see our friendly staff at 38-40 Robinson Road, Bellevue, Midland WA, or contact us on (08) 9274 4744 from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 12pm on Saturdays.
ESG, INNOVATION, AND DELIVERING VALUE
“Swick remains committed to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, innovation, and delivering value to clients and shareholders.
“The company continues to support decarbonisation and safety through automation with the scheduled launch of the Gen3 E-Rig in FY26, positioning Swick for sustained growth and leadership in underground diamond drilling.”
– Robert Burnett, Business Development Manager
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“We’re very big on rewarding and promoting the good work that our people do. It’s not just a case of here’s your pay and away you go – we’re quite flexible in our work rosters and very family-orientated.
“We include families in a lot of things we do. That’s a priority for us because we know they support our people back home, so we’re very mindful of celebrating families and try to do that as much as possible,” he continues.
Keeping the family feel of the business goes a long way and isn’t limited to what Swick does out in the field, as everyone in its corporate offices also has the same attitude.
“We all roll our sleeves up and get stuck into the work. Everyone’s very invested in what we do to see the business succeed.”
Along with family, safety and being solutions-focused are important values for Swick, with the latter something the company has always driven to uphold.
Innovation is the biggest thing the company is known for, having designed the first true underground mobile rig.
“That was a big innovation in itself, but we also look at the way we work, the applications we put in place, the way we treat our people, and our systems as innovation as well,” acclaims Rossides.
“We’re very big on taking innovation from the field, so those that are working on the rigs will come up with some of these solutions. We design what we can in-house to better the rigs themselves and make them safer and more productive,” he concludes.
REMA TIP TOP LEADS THE INDUSTRY IN MINING EXCELLENCE
As one of Australia’s largest on-site service networks and providers of material processing and surface protection products, REMA TIP TOP is an industry expert with over a century of experience. We speak with the management team to learn more about the company’s history and exciting prospects
Writer: Lauren Kania | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
LEADS IN EXCELLENCE
First conceptualised over 100 years ago, REMA TIP TOP has worked to construct a time-tested and reliable reputation, delivering top quality for its international clientele.
Providing a global service network backed by a broad range of material processing products such as conveyor
belts, rollers, hoses, and technology, as well as surface protection products including polymer-based products and linings, alongside the automotive sector, REMA TIP TOP is a true industry leader. Setting the stage with innovation and technological developments, the company’s products are used across the globe to extend service life and
reduce maintenance costs for its customers’ assets.
REMA TIP TOP provides products and services for Australia’s major mining houses, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) companies, and other organisations and suppliers.
The company’s services span everything from specialist rubber lining wear and corrosion protection to total conveyor maintenance, management, and product supply, making REMA TIP TOP a proud global market leader in products and services for materials processing and surface protection.
REMA TIP TOP differentiates itself from the competition in a variety of ways.
“In Australia, we have one of the largest service networks and currently hold major contracts with companies like Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP), Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), Rio Tinto, and BHP Mitsubishi Alliance, to name a few,” introduces Dean Lancaster, General Manager –Operations and Services.
Additionally, Kevin Exeter, Work Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality Manager, finds that the company’s constant pursuit to be the
best, deliver the highest standards, and remain committed to safety and welfare serve to differentiate it.
“REMA TIP TOP retains the feeling of family whilst growing, and it is the determination of every one of our workers that keeps us growing,” he details.
For Danielle Staniskov, Senior HR Business Partner, it’s truly the hard work and dedication of the company’s employees that make REMA TIP TOP such a distinctive workplace.
“Our primary differentiator isn’t just our products; it’s our people. Our core strength lies in our culture and our dedicated team,” she expands.
The passion, skills, and commitment to continuous improvement shown by employees are what make a long-term difference. REMA TIP TOP believes that through supportive, flexible, and engaging environments, its team is
empowered to deliver the highest quality products and services.
A HISTORY OF INNOVATION
Due to REMA TIP TOP’s vast history of successful innovation and progress, it has a reputation for only offering the best and most advanced products and services.
The company utilises its extensive experience, laboratory, and field tests to select the right materials for every kind of operating condition and make the respective protection systems fully effective.
Improving the availability of its customers’ plants is REMA TIP TOP’s main objective. The company’s products – and their proven reliability – provide plants with the most effective and long-lasting protection, helping customers reduce maintenance costs and extend the service life of equipment.
As a pioneer of the rubber
CAN
YOU TELL US ABOUT REMA TIP TOP’S SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATIONS AND HOW IMPORTANT YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE TO MAINTAINING THESE PARTNER AND SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS?
Danielle Staniskov, Senior HR Business Partner: “Partner and supplier relationships are crucial and maintained by our people. We have a dedicated and skilled team that builds these connections through mutual respect and trust.
“The success of our business, and the reliability of our supply chain, is a direct result of the strong relationships our employees construct.”
manufacturing industry, the company’s legacy is a testament to the creativity and innovative spirit of its people. It fosters an environment where team members are encouraged to be curious, challenge the status quo, and propose new ideas.
“We believe that innovation isn’t a top-down process – it comes from the people on the ground who have first-hand knowledge of our products and customer needs. By empowering
them, we ensure our tradition of technological advancement continues to thrive,” insights Staniskov.
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF SUCCESS
REMA TIP TOP follows values that define its identity as a company, how it works, and what it stands for. These values consist of respect, equality, MateSafe, and accountability (REMA) – empowering the team
and strengthening relationships with customers, partners, and the communities.
“The underlying sentiment behind this rollout was to have a set of values that were easy for employees to learn and understand. Using the REMA acronym has made it easy for our team to learn, understand, and practice these values on a day-today basis,” highlights Lancaster.
“WE BELIEVE THAT INNOVATION ISN’T A TOP-DOWN PROCESS – IT COMES FROM THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND WHO HAVE FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR PRODUCTS AND CUSTOMER NEEDS. BY EMPOWERING THEM, WE ENSURE OUR TRADITION OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT CONTINUES TO THRIVE”
– DANIELLE STANISKOV, SENIOR HR BUSINESS PARTNER, REMA TIP TOP
Specifically, the company’s MateSafe initiative reinforces a strong safety culture where looking out for one another is second nature. MateSafe builds on the Australian culture of mateship and consists of working collaboratively to ensure safety at every turn.
Respect and equality entail everyone being treated the same and different opinions being respected, which allows for a safer
environment where people are free to express themselves and feel empowered. These attributes are also demonstrated through the company’s flexible approach to work, which allows employees to manage personal commitments.
“These values strengthen our teams by prioritising safety and ensuring people feel confident in speaking up and sharing their thoughts. The best ideas always come from the staff on
–
site; our workers have a phenomenal amount of knowledge,” details Exeter.
As the foundations of REMA TIP TOP’s culture, these values are also crucial to the company’s continued success and longevity. According to Staniskov, this culture of care and accountability builds strong relationships – both internally and with the company’s external partners and communities.
“REMA TIP TOP RETAINS THE FEELING OF FAMILY WHILST GROWING, AND IT IS THROUGH THE DETERMINATION OF EVERY ONE OF OUR WORKERS THAT KEEPS US GROWING”
KEVIN EXETER, WORK HEALTH, SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT, AND QUALITY MANAGER, REMA TIP TOP
Across the Ocean Shipping
Your Global Logistics Partner –Critical Parts. Major Projects. Delivered Worldwide.
With offices in Australia, the US, and a worldwide network of trusted partners, Across the Ocean Shipping delivers seamless logistics solutions across every continent.
We integrate closely with our clients to provide full supply chain visibility 24/7 through our advanced tracking platform, The Pulse, so you’re always in control.
For the mining sector, we specialise in:
Time-Critical Shipments – Express Air Freight to keep projects moving.
• Project Mining and Bulk Cargo –From pit to port, no job is too big.
• Out-of-Gauge and Oversized Deliveries – Expert handling of complex loads.
• Sea Freight, Warehousing and Distribution – Full end-to-end solutions.
the Ocean Shipping –Your cargo, our commitment.
As REMA TIP TOP looks towards the future, it has various goals and priorities to further its footprint and services provided.
“Over the past three years, operations have increased our labour pool, service capabilities, and revenue by 10 to 15 percent year-on-year,” specifies Lancaster.
Additional priorities include focusing on enhancing the employee experience, as REMA TIP TOP is continually prioritising improvements to its internal systems and processes, and working on strengthening communication to ensure everyone feels included.
“Our primary goal is to create a culture of open feedback, so REMA TIP TOP remains an exceptional place to work for our staff,” prides Staniskov.
EMPOWERING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY
REMA TIP TOP’s thriving peoplecentric culture is the ultimate driver of its success. The company’s ability to listen to its employees, provide them with flexibility, and empower
them to innovate is its greatest strength, ensuring continued industry leadership.
“The success of our products is a direct reflection of the talent and expertise of our people. From sales and customer service staff to engineers, every member of our team is dedicated to providing the best solutions possible,” expands Staniskov.
“We invest heavily in training and development, which includes sending staff to facilities around the globe, ensuring they have the technical knowledge to not only understand our products but also advise customers on how to maximise the longevity and efficiency of their assets. Our people are the real solution providers.”
As staff are the most valuable asset any company can have, REMA TIP TOP is dedicated to ensuring every team member feels heard, valued, and recognised for their contributions.
Equally, the company also participates in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices to ensure the longevity and growth of
the communities in which it operates.
“We believe in empowering our people to drive our community involvement,” notes Staniskov.
This includes sponsoring employee sports teams, along with indigenous children’s sports teams in remote locations. Additionally, REMA TIP TOP partakes in regular charity drives for causes such as breast cancer awareness, men’s health, general mental health initiatives, blood donations, winter appeals, and charitable fun runs.
“These kinds of initiatives not only give back but also build a stronger sense of camaraderie and pride within our teams,” Staniskov cheerfully concludes.
At National Freight Management, we are experts in freight. We understand how important it is for your freight to get delivered in a timely and cost effective manner. By using NFM you can send Cartons, Satchels, Skids, Pallets and Full loads anywhere in Australia through a variety of Road, Rail and Direct services. We specialise in time sensitive deliveries to Mining Locations all over Australia.
Our Clients choose us for more than just a delivery. They trust us for reliability, transparency, and a freight solution that supports their business for the long term.
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ONE LOGIN – ONE INVOICE – ONE SOLUTION
To the mining world, we move as one.
Brain’s deep partnership with global powerhouse Rema Tip Top is built on shared values and a commitment to seamless, smart solutions. We co-design and manufacture innovative components - like custom conveyor pulleys and advanced polyurethane protection for underground vehicles - tailored to the mining industry’s toughest demands. Rema delivers them directly to site, engineered to exact mine specifications.
What began as collaboration is now complete integration.
One vision. One solution. One powerful force in mining. Brain + Rema Tip Top. www.brainindustries.com.au
DOMINANT DRILLING FORCE
After joining Foraco in 2006, we embarked on an ambitious plan to take the company global.”
From its humble beginnings in the south of France over 60 years ago, Foraco became a dominant force throughout West Africa. The company is a global leader in
drilling services for mining and mineral exploration, as well as a leading provider of water drilling services primarily related to mining activities, with a fleet of 265 drills operating in 22 countries and over 2,000 employees.
Tim Bremner, who began as Senior Vice President of North America and became CEO in 2023, has been
an integral part of Foraco’s journey as the company expanded into the main mining regions, including North America, Australia, and key markets in Latin America.
“Combined, they make up 75 percent of the world’s exploration spending,” he continues. This means more predictable and stable
Operating in some of the most challenging environments, Foraco provides advanced drilling services for both the mining and water sectors. Tim Bremner, CEO, emphasizes its global expansion, innovative drilling solutions, and commitment to sustainability
Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Scarlett Burke
business for Foraco as these regions offer tremendous growth opportunities without the volatility that presents in less stable regions.
It was a conscious decision to move the company in this direction and one that was in the best interests of all stakeholders.
“In parallel, we managed to diversify
the range of drilling services offered, including surface and underground core drilling, rotary drilling, reverse circulation (RC), production drilling and blasting, geotechnical services, large diameter coring, and deep directional drilling services,” elaborates Bremner. Water drilling has been a core Foraco capability almost from the beginning,
and the growth in mining services provided a natural opportunity to expand its water well services globally.
INNOVATIVE METHODS
Being able to provide a full suite of services to meet the needs of its mining customers is a tremendous advantage for Foraco.
WHAT TRENDS ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE MINING AND DRILLING INDUSTRY, AND HOW IS FORACO POSITIONING ITSELF TO ADAPT TO THESE CHANGES?
TIM BREMNER, CEO: “What we see as the main trend shaping the future is the increasingly rapid uptake of technology around the world.
“Today, everyone everywhere is demanding more and more automation and less hands-on work. The days of accepting a somewhat simpler and less-costly alternative are waning fast.
“Foraco must respond to this demand by leveraging our in-house capabilities in certain regions in order to develop this capability throughout the organization.”
The company also employs innovative methods, including both drilling techniques and equipment, that differentiate it from most of the competition.
“We have developed an in-house deep directional drilling capability that allows us to drill holes directly to our customers’ specified targets,” informs Bremner.
“This capability means we don’t have to rely on third-party services, resulting in more efficient and costeffective drilling.”
In terms of equipment, Foraco has been a leader for years, with data acquisition at the drill rig beginning over two decades ago.
This was leading-edge technology at the time and has since evolved into a reliable, robust system.
In 2015, the company built its first remotely-controlled RC drill for a customer in Australia – another capability it developed in-house.
Today, many of Foraco’s drills are operated remotely, with crews working in climate-controlled environments.
“This is particularly invaluable in harsh conditions; whether it’s 45 degrees Celsius (°C) in the Australian outback or -45°C darkness in Northern Canada, our operators can work in a safe and comfortable setting,” Bremner assures.
As a leader in water services related to mining, Foraco also has a proprietary rig that is state-ofthe-art in terms of technology and sustainability.
The Next Generation BF 800 (NGBF 800) is a powerful, versatile small footprint drilling system with two rigs now fully operational in Australia.
“We received the Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA) 2024 Safety Innovation of the Year award for this rig, which is recognized as an industry-leading innovation by our customers and employees,” acclaims Bremner.
“WE TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH RATHER THAN A PUNITIVE ONE, WHICH EMPOWERS OUR TEAM TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT”
– TIM BREMNER, CEO, FORACO
IN-HOUSE SOLUTIONS
Foraco works closely with its providers to deliver best-in-class drill rigs for specific projects depending on the needs of its customers and is often required to provide innovative in-house solutions.
For example, the company manufactures its own low-impact drills in Brazil that meet local requirements for
minimally invasive drilling operations.
Mature business relationships are maintained with virtually all main suppliers in the industry, with a focus on providing the best products for the services required.
“Our sourcing decisions for in-hole tooling are based on a combination of value and timely delivery,” Bremner tells us.
One of Foraco’s key priorities is to continue innovating in terms of equipment and technology.
This includes evaluating opportunities for fully automated functions and exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to make a significant impact on its operations.
“In addition, we will continue to grow our business with Tier 1 customers in the main mining regions where we currently operate, emphasizing copper and gold as our primary commodities,” outlines Bremner.
PROACTIVE APPROACH
Sustainability is also critically important to Foraco, and today, it goes beyond working safely.
The company aims to reduce its impact on the environment where possible and has developed a longterm environmental policy focused
FORACO’S MINERAL DRILLING SERVICES – AT A GLANCE
• EXPLORATION DRILLING – The discovery of virtually all mines depends on exploration drilling. Along with the search for water, this is where the Foraco story began.
Increasingly, these discoveries – both on the surface and underground – are occurring in some of the most remote regions of the world that require the company to address not only customers’ technical requirements, but also accessibility of the drilling site, topography, water supply, and ground conditions.
Foraco specializes in operating in harsh environments as well as some of the most inaccessible locations on Earth. Its many years of experience in these conditions allows the company to offer complete drilling solutions, utilizing a variety of drilling techniques.
• DEVELOPMENT DRILLING – Once discovered, the viability of a new mine or expansion project needs to be proven, demanding extensive development drilling.
External and internal financing requires a definitive review of the project economics, such as precise location, grade, and tonnage, before funds are committed.
To obtain sufficient information, development drilling is completed, providing detailed definition and parameters of the ore body.
• PRODUCTION DRILLING – For most metals, extracting the ore requires production drilling and blasting operations.
Foraco specializes in long hole drilling and blasting as it demands a high degree of drilling accuracy and controls to minimize dilution.
Both pneumatic and electric top hammer drills are used for this mining method, which also requires inverse and drop raising operations to provide the opening for blasted ore to break into.
on air quality, energy and water conservation, and minimizing waste.
Sound environmental protection principles have been integrated into the company’s operations, with quantitative key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure and maximize improvements and efficiencies.
In each country, Foraco ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulatory controls, and site-specific environmental policies.
In addition, they collaborate with clients in implementing best practice approaches to protect natural resources.
Currently, the company is focused on two main sources of environmental impact that are particularly relevant to its activity – greenhouse gases and water use.
Bremner’s commitment to sustainability is the starting point, ensuring every individual knows that the entire organization, from the leadership team to every employee, is equally dedicated to this objective.
“We take a proactive approach rather than a punitive one, which empowers our team to do what is right,” he emphasizes.
“This ensures we protect our employees, the environment, local and Indigenous communities, and our customers’ right to operate.”
Whilst Foraco has all the necessary systems and procedures that form its sustainability management system, these tools alone cannot achieve the company’s objectives.
“A sound culture, embedded throughout the entire organization, is essential for our success,” Bremner closes.
OFFICES IN CANADA, THE US AND THE UK
GLOBAL PROJECTS & FORWARDING
SHIPPING OF MINE DRILLING EQUIPMENT
AIR-SEA-SURFACE TRANSPORT OF CRUSHING COMPONENTS GLOBALLY
MINING EXPLOSIVES
DOOR-DOOR TRANSPORT
AIR CHARTERS TO REMOTE REGIONS
Our global team has built up diverse experience servicing the mining industry for decades. We shipped the crushing components from a decommissioned mine in Northern Ontario to East Coast Canada and then via full ship charter to Callao, Peru. We arrange for regular air shipments of mine drilling equipment to West Africa. We know Africa. On-time delivery of imported technology to mine-sites across Canada and the US is a constant.
NOT JUST READY
RAM READY
Providing top-tier solutions for the mining, power generating, oil and gas, and bulk material handling industries, RAM Enterprise delivers quality products and services that improve operational efficiency. Laila Miguel, Vice President and CFO, tells us more about her experience in the sector and the company’s outlook toward an expansive future
Mining is changing fast. Automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainability are transforming the landscape. What used to be a bootson-the-ground industry is becoming smarter and safer. It’s exciting to see how innovation is not just improving efficiency but also reshaping how we think about people, safety, and longterm impact.”
RAM Enterprise (RAM), based in Nevada, is embracing this change head-on, exemplified by the determined words of Laila Miguel, Vice President and CFO.
Specifically, the US mining market is seeing renewed momentum, driven by surging demand for critical minerals like copper, silver, and rare earth elements – all essential for electrification, renewable energy infrastructure, and national security. At the same time, domestic policy is shifting to support US-based mining, with faster permitting processes and government-backed investments reducing reliance on imports. Add to that global supply constraints,
and it’s easy to see why US mining is experiencing one of its most active growth phases in decades.
“In many ways, we’re standing right at the intersection of technology and tradition – taking decades of hands-on experience and combining this with smart, data-driven innovation,” insights Miguel.
“For these and other reasons, working in mining right now is
exciting. The trajectory isn’t just upwards, it’s forward, smarter, and more meaningful than ever.”
For Miguel, her journey into mining wasn’t a traditional one. Having started out working in the food and beverage industry, she didn’t consider mining until she became a parent and realized the need for stability and support for her family.
With her father suggesting accounting, she took the leap and went back to school, eventually landing a job at RAM and working her way from accounting clerk to Vice President and CFO.
“Along the way, I was fortunate to have incredible mentors who believed in me, opened doors, and helped me find my confidence in a maledominated industry. Their support gave me not just opportunities, but also a sense of purpose – to prove diverse perspectives make our teams and industry stronger,” asserts Miguel.
“Ultimately, mining found me, and I’ve stayed because I believe in the people and the purpose behind what we do.”
Summer Thomsen, Regional Supply Chain Manager, and her supply chain team
THE INTERSECTION OF TECHNOLOGY AND TRADITION
RAM currently operates out of six locations, from West Texas all the way up to Alaska, and will be celebrating its 35th anniversary in February 2026 – a milestone the company is immensely proud of.
“Over the years, we have expanded beyond the US and have completed works in Mongolia, Brazil, Mauritania, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, supporting mining operations and industrial clients with the same commitment to safety, quality, and reliability that defines our domestic work,” expands Miguel.
This global experience has helped the company grow and strengthen its understanding of diverse mining environments and challenges.
RAM provides a one-stop shop of specialized industrial services, including conveyor belt splicing, coatings and linings, conveyor maintenance, fixed process equipment maintenance, electrical and fabrication services, and full turnkey industrial construction in surface and underground sectors.
It also manufactures and distributes high-quality rubber products to customers in the bulk material handling industry under its brand, Industry Mining Technology (IMTECH).
“We’ve built strong partnerships with manufacturers who share our values and commitment to excellence. Those relationships allow us to supply premium conveyor components and belt products that complement our field services, giving our customers complete, reliable solutions,” details Miguel.
RAM is especially proud of its safety record, having maintained a below-industry-average experience modification rate(EMR) of 0.62, recorded 3.2 million safe working hours, and recently celebrated seven years with no lost time incidents.
The company achieves this
HOW DOES YOUR ASPIRATION TO BE AN INDUSTRY LEADER IN COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS RELATE TO IMPROVING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND MINIMIZING DOWNTIME?
LAILA MIGUEL, VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO:
“Being an industry leader isn’t just about market share or growth; it’s about connection. My goal is to bridge the gaps in our industry – between departments, generations, legacy systems, innovation, genders, and levels of experience.
“Mining has such a rich history, but it’s also at a turning point. We’ve got incredible new technologies and data-driven tools coming in. Simultaneously, we have decades of hard-earned experience from people who’ve spent their lives in this industry. I want RAM to be the company that brings those worlds together –where innovation doesn’t replace experience, but builds on it.
“That means fostering collaboration between teams that might not overlap and ensuring everyone has a role in solving problems. Culturally, it means creating space where people feel seen, supported, and respected.
“As a woman in a male-dominated industry, bridging that gap means continuing to open doors and make sure the next generation sees mining as a place where they can build meaningful careers.
“At the end of the day, leadership means building those connections between people, ideas, and generations, so we can all move this industry forward together.”
impressive record by believing in transparency, sharing information that helps avoid issues, and making sure every decision prioritizes safe, effective work. This is part of who RAM is, and something every person in the company takes personally.
“RAM is built on integrity, accountability, and responsiveness. We care deeply about our people, and that shows. Many of our team members have been with us for years – even decades. When you walk into any of our facilities, you can feel the loyalty, pride, and sense of family,” impassions Miguel.
At the heart of it all, RAM exists to provide an opportunity for its employees to live their fullest lives. This purpose drives every decision made – from safety and training to innovation and growth.
“When our people thrive, our customers and company thrive. That’s what has carried us through more than three decades of success – and what will continue to shape our future,” dictates Miguel.
“IN MANY WAYS, WE’RE STANDING RIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF TECHNOLOGY AND TRADITION – TAKING DECADES OF HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AND COMBINING THIS WITH SMART, DATA-DRIVEN INNOVATION”
– LAILA MIGUEL, VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO, RAM ENTERPRISE
GET SMOOTH AND GO FAST
RAM’s 2025 thematic goal, ‘get smooth and go fast’, captures the company’s goals.
“We’ve built a strong foundation, and now it’s about refining how we work so we can move faster, smarter, and with more alignment across every part of the business,” informs Miguel.
‘Get smooth’ is about eliminating friction by simplifying processes, reducing redundancies, and making sure the company’s systems, people, and information flow together seamlessly. The goal is for RAM’s people to spend less time chasing data and more time creating value.
Once bottlenecks are identified, handoffs are streamlined, and communications are strengthened to deliver results faster and with less rework. Then, ‘go fast’ is implemented – meaning things can move quickly, confidently, and collaboratively.
“When we talk about this theme, it’s not just about efficiency or speed – it’s about building a company that operates with clarity, trust, and purpose. We’re creating the systems, structure, and leadership strength to support sustainable, long-term success,” explains Miguel.
The subsequent results of these efforts can be seen in some
of RAM’s most recent projects, including the continued growth of its manufacturing division. The company recently installed a large press that allows it to produce custom molded rubber products up to eight inches thick.
This capability expands what the company can do for its customers, especially in creating heavy-duty, high-performance products that stand up to the toughest mining conditions.
Equally, a patent is pending on the RAM EZ-S-Cape cans for underground mining, which are designed and fabricated in the US and engineered to make underground escapeways safer and more efficient – a great example of how innovation and safety go hand-in-hand.
This is alongside the company’s mine restart projects, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) conveyor installation projects, and harnessing automation, AI, and Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
“Whether it’s new manufacturing capabilities, patented safety innovations, or integrating AI and smart systems, everything we’re
WHAT ARE RAM’S PRIORITIES AND GOALS FOR THE COMING YEAR?
LAILA
MIGUEL, VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO: “Our focus is on doubling down on what we do best – our core capabilities – and finding new ways to deliver more value to our employees, clients, and supplier partners. Recently, we’ve seen incredible growth, having expanded geographically, broadened our product and service offerings, and grown our top line since 2020. That momentum isn’t slowing down – it’s evolving.
“We’re at a point where it’s about getting sharper, smoother, and faster in how we operate. We want to maximize efficiency, eliminate friction, and create the best possible client journey and employee experience.
“We’re also focused on strategic growth; expanding in the right markets, with the right partners, and around the right people. We’ll continue to build our EPC capabilities, grow our manufacturing and product innovation, offer our full range of one-stop shop offerings, alongside investing in automation, AI, and smart technologies.
“However, our ambition hasn’t changed – we’re still as hungry as ever. We’re channeling that hunger into excellence, consistency, and long-term value. Growth for us isn’t just about size; it’s about impact and people.
“At the end of the day, RAM exists to provide an opportunity for our employees to live their fullest lives. When our people thrive, our customers thrive.”
EPIC is proud to partner with Ram Enterprise supporting their success in safety, risk management and employee retention goals. Our client relationships run deep as we seek to fully understand their goals and objectives each year and to provide employee benefits and risk management solutions that lower costs and better serve their employees.
EPIC is a unique and innovative retail risk management and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm, founded in San Francisco, California in 2007 with o ces and leadership across the country. We have deep industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including risk management, property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance and private client services. Contact for Employee Benefits
doing is aimed at one goal – helping our customers operate at their best while continuing to push the industry forward,” asserts Miguel.
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
For Miguel, empowering women in the mining industry is something that’s close to her heart.
“When I started out, there weren’t a lot of women in this space and even fewer in leadership roles. I had some incredible mentors who believed in me and opened doors that might’ve otherwise stayed closed. Now, I feel a responsibility to keep those doors open for others,” she details.
RAM works hard to ensure women feel supported, valued, and seen as who they are – leaders, mentors, experts, and innovators. The company has women across the organization in key roles and is intentional about creating pathways for growth.
It’s about creating an environment where everyone, regardless of gender or background, feels empowered to contribute and challenge ideas. That kind of psychological safety is what drives innovation and collaboration.
For the company, representation matters. When women see other women succeeding in technical and leadership roles, it changes what they believe is possible for themselves.
“Ultimately, my goal – and RAM’s goal – is to normalize the presence of women in mining. I don’t want it to be a headline that a woman is in a leadership role; I want it to be the norm. We’re bridging that gap by showing that capability, resilience, and heart have no gender, creating a culture where everyone can thrive,” states Miguel.
Equally, RAM celebrates all of its employees and believes the ideal team player is humble, hungry, and smart. Humble enough to put the team first, hungry enough to go the extra mile, and smart enough to navigate relationships and communicate well.
“RAM IS BUILT ON INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND RESPONSIVENESS. WE CARE DEEPLY ABOUT OUR PEOPLE, AND THAT SHOWS. MANY OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR YEARS – EVEN DECADES. WHEN YOU WALK INTO ANY OF OUR FACILITIES, YOU CAN FEEL THE LOYALTY, PRIDE, AND SENSE OF FAMILY”
– LAILA MIGUEL, VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO, RAM ENTERPRISE
Empowerment at the company starts with trust and transparency. It gives people the context and clarity to make decisions and take ownership of their work. RAM also celebrates the people who go above and beyond through its Employee of the Month program and Safe People Always Determine Excellence (SPADE)
program, a way to acknowledge employees for exceptional teamwork and effort.
“At the end of the day, our goal is to create an environment where people feel empowered to make a difference, appreciated for what they contribute, and connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s what makes
RAM such a special place to work – everyone here genuinely cares about doing great work and about each other,” Miguel passionately concludes.
Driven by a purpose to preserve and propel the Fort McKay First Nation and better the lives of Indigenous peoples, Fort McKay Group of Companies is an industry leader in oil sands. We learn more about the company’s history, services, and prosperous future
Beginning in 1986 with only six employees and a single janitorial contract, Fort McKay Group of Companies (FMGOC) has progressed leaps and bounds over the course of the past 40 years, evolving into a leading, multi-milliondollar entity in oilfield construction and services.
With now more than 2,000 employees under its reins, FMGOC has offices in Fort McKay, Fort McMurray, and Edmonton, Canada. Despite its growth, the company still maintains its core purpose
of preserving and propelling the Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN) community and bettering the lives of Indigenous peoples throughout the country.
100 percent owned by the FMFN, FMGOC generates revenue by bringing opportunity, resources, and capacity to the community. Specifically, the company offers its clients strategic and mechanical services, logistics, joint ventures (JVs), and high-quality products to meet their needs in a competitive and crucial sector.
With years of experience in the oil sands industry, FMGOC is backed by its priority focus on quality, cost, and safety.
The company is also adamant that diversity is the key to growth and values the relationships it builds with clients, partners, and the community as a foundation for successful collaboration.
FMGOC channels its profits directly back into the FMFN people to support local employment, infrastructure, health benefits, recreation, and community centers to meet the needs of its growing population.
As such, the company’s continued success has been made possible through its collaborative partnerships, core values, and a strong leadership team.
A LOCAL LEADER IN OIL SANDS FMGOC’s strategic services is a specific division of the company
that offers a diverse range of solutions, providing reliable and costcompetitive advantages to its clients in the oil sands sector. The company’s expertise includes earthworks, site services, heavy equipment, fuel and lube services, clientembedded equipment operators, and reclamation support services.
For FMGOC’s logistics services, the company offers an integrated supply chain to all businesses, regardless of size. It collects materials and equipment from suppliers and manages them through the supply chain process to the end user.
Although primarily focused on North America, the company can manage materials from anywhere in the world via truck, rail, marine, and air solutions. FMGOC works directly with its customers to adjust its service levels and meet their needs and expectations every time.
Fort McKay Mechanical Services
(FMMS) is a new division owned and operated by FMGOC, providing code-regulated, specialty mechanical, and heat-treating services. It was established to deliver high-value, leading technologies to its customers, alongside increasing the number of skilled tradespeople on the team.
FMMS aims to deliver an ethical and comprehensive service, emphasizing high quality, precise execution, effective scheduling, and a focus on Indigenous employment. As an Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA)-certified company, it combines a leadership team with over 130 years of combined expertise across the oil and gas, power, mining, forestry, and petrochemical sectors.
FMGOC has a proud history of forming JVs with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous local entities, whereby the company holds the majority stake and oversees operations through Board involvement.
These various JVs provide opportunities for the economic diversification of FMGOC’s business portfolio while enhancing its partnerships with local organizations. Specifically, the company has established JV partnerships with Birch Mountain Enterprises, an industry leader in fluid hauling, pressure and vacuum, and waste management, and FMP Group, a company with a proven record in large-scale project delivery, from bidding through to construction.
SUPPORTING AND DEVELOPING THE COMMUNITY
Having proudly worked for nearly four decades to support and develop the FMFN, FMGOC ensures that the community has the financial independence to make its own decisions, as well as providing for itself and its members.
The FMFN consists of approximately 800 Dene, Cree, and Métis community members and is located 65 kilometers (km) north of Fort McMurray along the banks of
FMGOC CORE VALUES
LOYAL – Dedicated to the company’s purpose.
EMPATHETIC – Upholding care for each other, dignity for others, a rational approach, and a high degree of understanding for others’ emotions.
RESPECTFUL – Actively listening, demonstrating patience, and seeking understanding.
RESULTS-ORIENTED – Driven, moving the needle, and committed to learning.
TENACIOUS – Staying the course, taking initiative, and being selfmotivated and managed.
the Athabasca River in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The First Nation roots run deep through Fort McKay, extending back to 1820 with the establishment of the Hudson Bay Company trading post in the area.
Earthworks services
Fuel and lube services
Your Construction Solutions Partner
Stemming from humble beginnings, Graham’s story is one of growth, vision, commitment, inspiration, and innovation. With deep roots, unparalleled standards, and timeless dedication, the company is a proud leader in the construction industry
Commitment, integrity, and reliability—these are the values and culture that have been deeply embedded in Graham since it was founded nearly a century ago. Its concrete business ethics strengthen the company’s ability to deliver value to clients in the ever-crucial construction sector.
As a time-tested and fully integrated construction solutions partner with over nine decades of experience and offices throughout North America, Graham prides itself on delivering excellence through projects that enable people and communities to live, work, move, and grow in this rapidly changing world. Throughout North America, Graham provides services including general contracting, construction management, design-build, integrated project delivery, digital construction and delivery, and maintenance & turnaround services across the buildings, industrial, infrastructure, water, and development sectors.
Additionally, it has been a 100 percent employeeowned company for the past 40 years, with employeeowners coming from all levels of the company—
not just the executive or senior management teams. This model further bolsters Graham’s entrepreneurial spirit and environment, creating a workplace where people are accountable for themselves and their colleagues and have a genuine vested interest in the success of every project.
This environment of mutual dedication and commitment allows the company to ensure every project is meticulously built to meet the specified parameters of performance, quality, durability, safety, and long-term value.
Graham’s industry-leading innovation and longstanding promise to excellence at every level are exemplified across the complete spectrum of projects, industrial facilities, public infrastructure, and community development.
With quality being both an inspiration and an aspiration, the company’s industry-leading systems—driven from the top down—infuse quality into all aspects of key decision-making.
EXCELLENCE WORKS HERE
Crucial to Graham’s success and foundation as a company are its various partnerships with Indigenous communities across North America.
These partnerships are built on commitment, integrity, and reliability—the very same core values that define the company’s culture, govern its actions, and produce extraordinary outcomes for every client’s projects.
Graham builds bridges with its Indigenous partners not with steel or concrete, but with trust, respect, and its commitment to forging mutually beneficial working relationships which reflect its values of respect for the proud traditions and culture of Indigenous peoples and communities. These open and ongoing collaborations build truly robust alliances that result in self-sufficient partnerships that are accountable and proudly Indigenous-led.
Through these partnerships, the company generates positive impacts through training, employment, and the development of increased economic capacity, ensuring Indigenous communities, families, and peoples thrive.
Equally, through Graham’s joint ventures, business relationships, and strategic alliances, it plans and builds for long-term success for each party, creating an environment that generates positive effects for Indigenous peoples through training, employment, and the development of sustainable economic capacity within their communities.
The company measures its relationships with Indigenous partners and communities by the actions
it takes, the invested efforts, respect shown, and the integrity of its teams. Graham also has different certifications and memberships, including the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB), Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR), and Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Accreditation (NAABA).
LEADING CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS IN EVERY SECTOR
At Graham, work is its calling.
The company strives to deliver unprecedented construction solutions because its purpose is to build a better world. To accomplish this, it builds to the very highest standards of innovation, service, safety, and quality. It is only then that Graham’s communities flourish and its purpose is fulfilled.
GRAHAM’S INDIGENOUS STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
• Trust
• Respect
• Transparency
• Commitment
• Community engagement
• Integrity
• Indigenous liaison
• Financial considerations
These are the cornerstones of Graham’s approach to Indigenous community engagement. As the first general contractor in Canada to have such a statement, the company continues to lead the way in the industry.
As a North American industry leader, Graham builds to the highest standards of safety, quality, and excellence. It is through the company’s collaborative culture and entrepreneurial approach that it derives innovative solutions able to deliver long-term, tangible value for clients, partners, and communities.
The company is here to get to work—together. Graham’s reputation for quality has been well-earned throughout the decades due to its operational excellence at every step, engaging visionary leadership, and relentless dedication to improvement. Championed by its executive management team, Graham’s proprietary ISO9001-based quality management system is a key tenet of every project it engages in.
This system defines the baseline processes and requirements from a project’s pursuit to completion and handover. Such processes are consistently measured, analyzed, and evaluated to make improvements or add resources. With this uncompromising approach to quality management, Graham can confidently deliver exceptional value to its clients.
The company is constantly thinking ahead. Looking to the future and recognizing that what it does today shapes and impacts tomorrow means it works to build and create lasting tangible value. This sets standards and improves lives in the communities where it builds and the environment everyone shares. Working safely, responsibly, and collaboratively with all stakeholders and partners is Graham’s highest priority, because futures—and the future—depend on it.
It was named in 1912 after Dr. William Morrison MacKay – the first resident doctor of Alberta and President of the Alberta Medical Association.
This deeply embedded historical background to the land and culture remains prominent today. Also crucial to FMGOC and its current standing as an industry leader is its commitment to safety.
The company believes that safety is everyone’s responsibility and can only be achieved through the active participation of the entire organization. Ultimately, FMGOC is dedicated to ensuring no harm comes to its most valuable asset – its people.
BEAVER CREEK WOOD BISON RANCH
Initiated in 1993, the Beaver Creek Wood Bison Ranch (Beaver Creek) began with a herd of 30 pure wood bison in Syncrude’s Mildred Lake site, near Edmonton.
Those bison have grown to a herd of 300, now living on more than 300 hectares of reclaimed grassland 50km north of Fort McMurray. The ranch has been run in a JV between Syncrude Canada and the FMFN, on behalf of FMGOC’s strategic services division, for over 25 years.
The team at the ranch works with researchers to find valuable and pertinent information that benefits the bison industry, as the herd is an important part of the genetic preservation effort of the wood bison species. Beaver Creek continues to provide a safe and healthy environment for the future, nurturing the growth and development of this once-threatened species.
The bison is significant because it symbolizes strength and has cultural importance to First Nation and Métis communities, for whom the animal provided food, shelter, and tools for millennia. Nursing this once-depleted population back to health represents a rekindling of Indigenous culture in Canada, as the relationship between Syncrude Canada and the FMFN strengthened when the bison returned to their ancestral land.
The ranch also demonstrates that the reclaimed land could support the same plants and animals that existed long before the extraction of oil in Alberta.
To balance safety, production, and client demands, the company employs eCompliance – a cuttingedge environment, health, and safety (EHS) management system that promotes transparency and worker engagement, and provides leadership
with real-time safety performance data. Equally, to support FMGOC’s continuous improvement, it maintains strong relationships with industry safety partners, associations, and service providers.
TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE FUTURE
With Indigenous prosperity, growth, and community development such a crucial part of FMGOC’s origins and vision for the future, the company continuously supports causes that bring prosperity and equity to First Nations peoples living in Canada.
FMGOC aids local initiatives and provides economic opportunities for FMFN through its contributions to health and wellness in the area.
Specifically, in June 2021, the company assisted in the development of Fort Edmonton Park and had a bison statue named in honor of its work in preserving Indigenous culture.
Equally as important to FMGOC are its efforts toward an environmentally sustainable future. The protection of the environment is an integral element of the company’s business, and it actively works to ensure adverse
effects are minimized through careful planning, implementation of effective protection measures, and monitoring of operational activities.
Notably, the company’s rules and procedures for environmental protection comply with government regulations and standards and are consistent with industry codes and guidelines.
Looking ahead, the team continually seeks opportunities for new ventures, growth, and prosperity, enabling FMGOC to remain an industry leader while supporting both the community and its customers. This will be the ongoing focus as the company steps into a bright, prosperous, and supportive future.
