The Mining Wrap

This week’s Mining Wrap tracks key developments across Africa’s mining sector, from new gold and copper projects to advances in automation, equipment and clean energy. Mining companies in Ethiopia, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa are moving projects forward, while OEMs and technology providers deploy new systems to improve safety, productivity and fleet performance.

Nigerian defence-tech startup Terra Industries has secured a US$1 million phase-one contract from Anka Metals to provide security services for the Jema’a Resource Project in Kaduna State. The polymetallic project contains gold, lithium, copper and nickel, while Terra, founded by Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, brings technology capabilities into the security requirements of an emerging mining operation.

Mine Development And Operations

Allied Gold Feeds First Ore at Kurmuk Gold Mine

Allied Gold has energised the power line and fed the first ore into the crushing circuit at its Kurmuk Gold Mine in Ethiopia. The development marks another stage in commissioning as the company moves the project towards production, with the mine's infrastructure progressing from construction into operational testing.

Ongwe Minerals Starts Drilling at Namibian Gold Prospect

Ongwe Minerals has started its maiden drilling programme at the Nguni Prospect within its Omatjete Gold Project in Namibia. Two rigs are planned to complete 18 diamond holes covering 3,500 metres and 13 reverse-circulation holes covering 1,500 metres, while a separate five-hole, 1,000-metre step-out programme is planned at the Manga Gold Prospect.

Jubilee Metals Lifts Zambia Copper Output 225%

Jubilee Metals has reported a 225% increase in combined pre-refining copper production from its Roan and Molefe operations in Zambia. The company produced 3,739 tonnes during the year ended June 30, with Roan reaching stable production while Molefe continues to ramp up. Jubilee is also progressing the US$35 million sale of its Large Waste project.

Aterian Starts Tungsten Trading Trial in Rwanda

Aterian, through its Rwandan subsidiary Eastinco, has started a controlled trial to trade tungsten ore and concentrates in Rwanda. The initiative expands the company's activities beyond tantalum-bearing material, with Aterian raising approximately £180,000 in working capital to support operating systems, premises and responsible-sourcing processes.

Orion Clears Funding Hurdle for Prieska Copper-Zinc Project

Orion Minerals has received Reserve Bank approval for its funding arrangement with Glencore for the Prieska Copper-Zinc Project in South Africa's Northern Cape. The agreement provides US$250 million for construction and start-up, with a further US$50 million available for early works, subject to conditions. The approval allows Orion to advance procurement and contracting.

Heavy Mobile Equipment And OEMs

Caterpillar Expands Autonomous Operations in Virginia

Caterpillar has expanded its autonomous haulage operations to additional quarry sites in Virginia, extending autonomous technology beyond traditional large-scale mining operations. The deployment also expands the use of Caterpillar's autonomous haulage system to Cat 775 trucks, supporting wider application of autonomous material handling across quarrying operations.

Wabtec Tests Collision-Avoidance System on Liebherr Trucks at Gamsberg

Wabtec, Integrated Mining Technologies (IMT) and Nerospec OSCON are testing Wabtec's Gen 3 Collision Avoidance System on six Liebherr T 264 240-tonne haul trucks at Vedanta Zinc International's Gamsberg zinc mine in South Africa. The system combines high-precision GNSS, vehicle-to-vehicle communication and intervention controls, while Nerospec's TMMI connects the technology with machine-control systems. Mota-Engil operates the truck fleet.

BHP Tests Caterpillar Battery-Electric Haul Trucks

BHP is testing two Caterpillar 793 XE battery-electric haul trucks at its Jimblebar operation in Australia as part of a programme involving Caterpillar and Rio Tinto. The trial is assessing truck performance, charging requirements and the commercial feasibility of battery-electric haulage, including the potential role of dynamic charging.

First Quantum Patents Trolley-Assist Mining Technology

First Quantum Minerals has secured a UK patent and trademark for its Quantum Electra-Haul trolley-assist technology for mine haul trucks. The system is designed to reduce diesel consumption during uphill hauling by supplying electric power to trucks through an overhead trolley system. First Quantum has also reported greenhouse-gas savings from trolley-assist technology at its Zambian operations.

ESG And Sustainability

Northam Targets Fully Renewable Eland PGM Mine

Northam Platinum is developing its Eland operation in South Africa with the goal of running the mine entirely on renewable energy. The company is developing solar and battery capacity at the operation while working to reduce its external water requirements. Northam's wider renewable programme includes the 140 MW Karreebosch wind farm and 255 MW Thakadu solar project.

Dallaglio Signs Deal for 7MW Solar Plant at Zimbabwe Gold Mine

Dallaglio and Solarcentury Africa have signed an agreement to develop a 7 MWp solar plant at Eureka Gold Mine in Zimbabwe. Solarcentury Africa will manage the project's design, development, financing, construction and operation, with financial close targeted for early 2027. The project is intended to reduce electricity costs, improve power reliability and lower emissions at the mine.

BHP Examines Productivity Cost of Static Charging

BHP has estimated that static charging could cost a battery-electric haul truck approximately 1,000 operating hours per year compared with a diesel equivalent under its modelling. The company plans to trial Caterpillar's Dynamic Energy Transfer system at Jimblebar in FY2027 as it evaluates charging technologies that could improve productivity while supporting mine-fleet electrification.

Strategic Deals And Investment

UAE's Terra Group Acquires Pan African Mining Corporation

UAE-based Terra Group has completed the acquisition of Pan African Mining Corporation, a Canadian company with mining assets and subsidiaries in Madagascar. The portfolio includes gold and coal assets, giving Terra Group a platform for expanding its natural-resources operations in the country.

Unicorn Mineral Resources Buys 75% of Namibia Copper Project

Unicorn Mineral Resources has agreed to acquire a 75% stake in Q Global Copper Namibia for initial consideration of approximately US$368,637. The transaction provides control of two exploration licences covering 6,536 hectares, including the historic Klein Aub Copper Mine, as well as 5.5 million tonnes of historical tailings and about 100,000 tonnes of high-grade slimes.

Empress Royalty Acquires Côte d'Ivoire Gold Stream for US$62m

Empress Royalty has agreed to acquire a gold stream linked to the Tongon Gold Mine in Côte d'Ivoire for US$62 million. The transaction is supported by a US$75 million senior secured credit facility, including funding for the acquisition and additional capital for future royalty and streaming transactions.

Solar Industries Offers R21.8bn for Omnia

India's Solar Industries has made a R21.8 billion all-cash offer for South Africa's Omnia Holdings. The proposed acquisition would bring Omnia's mining business BME into Solar's global industrial group, combining BME's blasting technologies and electronic initiation systems with Solar's existing explosives business. The transaction remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. 

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