The Mining Wrap

Mining investment, equipment deployment, automation, electrification and ESG remained central to Africa’s mining industry this week, with companies advancing copper, uranium, rare earths and other critical mineral projects while governments push for greater local participation and stronger environmental standards. New equipment orders, autonomous mining systems and strategic transactions are also reshaping how mines are developed and operated.

ZCCM-IH Reviews Mining Asset Portfolio

ZCCM Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH) is considering the sale of minority stakes in selected mining assets as the Zambian state-backed investment company looks to optimise its portfolio and free up capital. The strategy includes holdings linked to major mining companies and forms part of a longer-term ambition to increase the value of its portfolio.

India and Zambia Revive Critical Minerals Investment Talks

India and Zambia have resumed discussions on investment opportunities in copper and other critical minerals as India seeks to secure future mineral supplies. The talks add to growing international interest in Zambia’s copper sector and its position within global critical mineral supply chains.

Deep Yellow Expands Namibia Uranium Footprint

Deep Yellow, through subsidiary Reptile Mineral Resources, has entered into a strategic earn-in agreement with Core Energy Minerals covering additional uranium exploration ground in Namibia. The agreement strengthens Deep Yellow’s exploration position as Namibia continues to attract investment into its uranium sector.

Namibia Critical Metals Advances Lofdal Rare Earth Project

Namibia Critical Metals has moved closer to a 50% ownership position in the Lofdal rare earth project after its Japanese partners fulfilled a C$23 million expenditure commitment. The development strengthens the international partnership around the project and advances Namibia’s position in the rare earth supply chain.

Lindian Resources Strengthens Malawi Rare Earth Supply Chain

Lindian Resources has signed technical services and offtake agreements with international refiner Carester for its rare earths project in Malawi. The agreements strengthen the project’s processing and market-access pathway and support efforts to develop rare earth supply chains outside China.

Greenland Mines Closes Sarfartoq Rare Earth Acquisition

Greenland Mines has completed its acquisition of the Sarfartoq critical rare earth project after receiving regulatory approval from the Greenland government. The transaction includes an offtake agreement with Neo Performance Materials covering up to 60% of future production.

Boliden Completes $1.3 Billion Nexa Transaction

Boliden has finalised an all-share transaction valued at $1.3 billion to acquire a controlling stake in Nexa Resources. The deal represents one of the major corporate transactions highlighted in the global mining sector this week and further consolidates ownership within the mining industry.

Albemarle Names BHP Veteran as Incoming CEO

Global lithium producer Albemarle has appointed BHP veteran Ragnar Udd as its incoming chief executive. The leadership change comes as lithium producers continue navigating changing market conditions and longer-term demand expectations linked to energy-transition technologies.

Heavy Mobile Equipment and OEMs

Epiroc Wins $64 Million Botswana Equipment Order

Epiroc has secured a $64 million equipment order for Botswana’s Khoemacau mine, adding to continued investment in modern heavy mobile equipment across Africa’s mining sector. The order highlights ongoing demand for new machinery as producers expand capacity and modernise existing operations.

SANY Reports 21% Global Revenue Growth

SANY has reported a 21% increase in global first-half revenue, with international markets offsetting softer conditions in China. The results highlight continued demand for heavy equipment in international mining and construction markets.

Liebherr Showcases Electric Mining Fleet

Liebherr has unveiled electric and next-generation heavy equipment at steinexpo 2026, including a grid-connected electric mining excavator, Generation 8 crawler dozers and a mobile energy-storage system designed to support heavy electric vehicles in remote operations. The equipment forms part of the company’s wider zero-emission mining strategy.

Fortescue Orders Zero-Emission Equipment From XCMG

Fortescue has signed a reported US$400 million contract with XCMG for more than 100 pieces of zero-emissions heavy mobile equipment. The machinery will support the replacement of diesel equipment at Fortescue’s Pilbara iron ore operations as the company works towards its Real Zero 2030 target.

Isuzu Expands African Mining Vehicle Portfolio

Isuzu Motors has expanded its mining offering with a D-MAX Mining package designed for harsh and remote African operating conditions. The package forms part of the company’s push to provide vehicles tailored to the requirements of mining operations across the continent.

SkyJacks Expands Mining Equipment Access

SkyJacks has partnered with Hyundai Forklifts to expand its heavy-handling rental fleet. The development reflects growing interest in flexible equipment access as mining companies consider rental and service models alongside traditional equipment ownership.

NioCorp Integrates Electric Haulage Technology

NioCorp has incorporated Railveyor’s electric haulage technology into the execution plan for its Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project. The technology is designed to support electric material movement and forms part of the project’s broader approach to lower-emission mining operations.

Aramine Establishes Dedicated Equipment Manufacturing Business

Underground mining equipment specialist Aramine has announced the spin-off of its underground machinery manufacturing operation. Construction has begun on a dedicated factory under the Aramac banner, with the new facility intended to increase specialised equipment production.

Automation, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

Sandvik Introduces AI Mining Concept

Sandvik Mining has unveiled “Sami”, an AI-enabled concept designed to standardise communication between mixed mining fleets and connected operational systems. The technology allows drill data to feed into digital mine models, supporting more integrated planning and automated decision-making.

EACON Expands Autonomous Mining Fleet

Autonomous mining technology company EACON has expanded its fleet of heavy autonomous mining trucks to 3,100 active units, representing 94% year-on-year growth. The company also reported narrower half-year losses as it scales its autonomous haulage technology across mining operations.

Epiroc Expands Deep Automation Platform

Epiroc has expanded its Deep Automation platform to coordinate automated haulage across the transition between underground material movement and surface transport. The company has also confirmed that its Minetruck MT65 S is automation-ready for the integrated system.

Chambishi Advances Autonomous Electric Haulage

NFC Africa Mining’s autonomous electric locomotive haulage project at Chambishi Copper Mine in Zambia has entered routine operation after completing final acceptance testing. The system automates underground rail haulage, including ore loading and unloading, and has increased operating efficiency by about 25% while reducing personnel involved in haulage operations by half.

Rockwell Automation Supports Mimosa Digital Modernisation

Rockwell Automation is working with local partners on a digital modernisation programme at Zimbabwe’s Mimosa Mine. The project reflects the increasing use of automation and digital systems to improve mine operations and modernise existing assets.

ESG and Sustainable Mining

Zimbabwe Moves to Link ESG Compliance With Mining Rights

Zimbabwe is moving towards legislation that would make ESG compliance a mandatory condition for obtaining, renewing or extending mining rights. The proposed framework would place environmental and social obligations directly within the mining-rights process.

Valterra Platinum Completes Unki IRMA Audit

Valterra Platinum’s Unki operation has completed its first IRMA renewal audit, reinforcing its alignment with independent responsible-mining standards. The assessment provides external scrutiny of environmental, social and governance practices at the Zimbabwean operation.

Exploration, Investment and Strategic Development

Kazera Global Secures Northern Cape Mining Right

Kazera Global has secured the Sea Concession 2A mining right in South Africa’s Northern Cape, enabling the company to progress towards becoming a large-scale heavy mineral sands operator. The right provides a foundation for the company’s planned development of the project.

Zambia Copper Production and Exports Strengthen

Zambia’s refined copper exports increased 88% in the first seven months of 2026, while Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is targeting a 300,000-tonne production milestone as output recovers. The developments come as Zambia works to expand copper production and attract additional investment into its mining industry.

Tanzania Pushes Local Mining Equipment Manufacturing

Tanzania’s Mining Commission is pushing mining equipment suppliers towards greater local manufacturing and assembly. The strategy aims to strengthen domestic value chains, reduce dependence on imported machinery and support the development of local mining businesses.

Guinea Focuses on Development Around Simandou

The commencement of production at the Simandou iron ore project has intensified attention on Guinea’s ability to convert mineral wealth into broader economic development. The country is also facing the challenge of ensuring that the project delivers sustainable economic benefits and avoids the resource-curse pressures associated with large mineral windfalls.