In early 2025, South Africa’s Limpopo province was hit by a rare convergence of natural and infrastructural crises. Torrential rains, coupled with the sudden collapse of the Bierspruit Dam near Swartklip, caused widespread flooding across the region – crippling operations at several mining facilities.
Among the hardest hit was Valterra Platinum’s Tumela Mine, part of the Amandelbult Complex. Thanks to swift action and robust emergency procedures, all personnel were evacuated safely and no injuries were reported. However, underground workings and the main pump station were inundated, halting production and threatening up to 10% of the company’s monthly metal-in-concentrate output.
Faced with mounting operational pressure, Valterra Platinum turned to ABB for urgent support to restore critical electrical infrastructure.
“When the flooding hit Tumela Mine, our first priority was the safety of our people and protecting critical infrastructure. Thanks to our emergency protocols, we were able to evacuate safely and avoid injuries, but getting operations back online quickly was essential. ABB’s rapid response and technical expertise was instrumental in restoring production without compromising safety,” said Isak Rudolph, Principal Engineer: Electrical and Automation from Valterra Platinum.