TOMRA Mining’s advanced technology and unique experience in designing and installing large-scale ore-sorting plants were key to the successful completion of the world’s largest lithium sorting plant. The sorting installation, part of Pilbara Minerals’ P680 Expansion Project, has a capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes per hour, and demonstrates the power of TOMRA’s cutting-edge technology to improve overall ore recovery and reduce energy consumption through early and effective waste reduction.

Pilbara Minerals, a major player in the global lithium supply chain, has successfully commissioned the world’s largest lithium ore sorting plant at its Pilangoora Operation in Western Australia. Powered by TOMRA Mining’s cutting-edge sensor-based sorting technology, the facility breaks new ground in hard-rock lithium processing, improving lithium recovery and increasing final product quality, while significantly reducing energy consumption through the elimination of waste early in the process. The new facility is part of Pilbara Minerals’ P680 Expansion Project.

The large-scale project for the design and installation of the new crushing and ore-sorting plant was delivered on schedule, within the deadlines set by Pilbara Minerals. The successful delivery hinged on the effective collaboration and coordination of the teams from TOMRA Mining, Pilbara Minerals, international companies involved in the manufacturing and shipping of components, and multiple contractors on the work site.

“The success of this project is a testament to TOMRA Mining’s collaborative approach and capacity to deliver innovative, large-scale, high-capacity sorting solutions tailored to the unique demands of our clients, providing continuous support from the testing and design phases right through to installation, commissioning, and beyond,” says Gavin Rech, Area Sales and Technical Manager Australia at TOMRA Mining. “What’s more, the scale and success of this plant have demonstrated to the mining industry the benefits and capacity of sorting.”

Poor boiler water treatment is the primary cause of poor boiler performance, according to Chris Paterson, Managing Director of specialist operations and maintenance service provider to the steam and boiler sector, Associated Energy Services (AES).

Not all water is created equal and there is a lot more to water treatment than ensuring that it appears clean, he says. Yet, this is where many companies are tempted to cut costs.

However, because correctly treated boiler water is integral to preventative maintenance and essential to ensuring boiler safety – as well as operational and energy efficiency – this is one of the first and most critical issues that AES addresses when taking over the operations and maintenance of a client’s boilers and energy plant.

A drop in water standards
Poor infrastructure has reduced municipal water quality – while the increased cost of this water source has persuaded many companies to switch to alternative streams such as borehole water and stored rainwater – creating a whole new set of challenges, says AES Operations Director Ray Lund.

Leading dewatering pump solutions provider, IPR (Integrated Pump Rental) is taking a significant step forward in its service offering following its acquisition by Atlas Copco’s Specialty Rental Division. With this strategic move, IPR is poised to bring the same rapid-response service that its South African customers have come to rely on, to mining sectors across Southern Africa.

Mining operations across Southern Africa are often challenged by heavy rainfall, groundwater infiltration and operational water management issues. Efficient and reliable dewatering solutions are critical for minimising disruptions, safeguarding operational continuity and maximising productivity.

IPR’s newly expanded footprint, supported by Atlas Copco’s vast resources and regional presence, ensures that mining clients in neighbouring countries will now have easier access to high quality pump rental services, faster response times and broader technical support.

Leveraging Atlas Copco’s Strengths
Atlas Copco’s Specialty Rental Division is known globally for its comprehensive service offerings, providing critical equipment for various industries including mining. Through this acquisition, IPR is now able to leverage Atlas Copco’s extensive regional footprint, advanced logistics and strong presence in Southern Africa’s mining hubs. This allows IPR to provide rapid service responses to customers in remote mining locations with greater efficiency.

The €30 million (ZAR 600 million) solar and battery project will provide 20% of Eramet Grande Côte mine’s energy needs, cutting 25,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually and creating over 100 jobs during construction.
JUWI South Africa’s off-grid hybrid solution advances sustainable mining in Africa and supports Senegal’s ambitious clean energy goals.
In a significant step towards sustainable mining in Africa, Eramet Grande Côte, a subsidiary of the French multinational mining and metals company Eramet, and South Africa’s JUWI Renewable Energies have reached financial close on a €30 million (ZAR 600 million) off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage solution for the mine in Diogo, Senegal.

The 20 MWp solar and 11 MWh battery project will provide clean energy to meet 20% of the mine’s energy needs, reduce carbon emissions by 25,000 tonnes annually, and create over 100 jobs during its construction and maintenance phases. The off-grid hybrid installation, among the largest in Senegal, will reduce the mine’s reliance on heavy fuel oil, improve production stability, and align with Eramet’s global decarbonisation strategy. The investment supports the Eramet Group’s Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) roadmap, which aims for a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050.

In addition to driving sustainable mining, the project plays a crucial role in advancing Senegal’s clean energy transition, with the country aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 7% by 2025. By leveraging JUWI’s expertise in off-grid solar and storage solutions, alongside their engineering capabilities for complex ground conditions, and Eramet Grande Côte and Eramet’s commitment to sustainability, the project sets a new benchmark for innovation in the mining sector.

“Our investment in this solar power plant reflects Eramet Grande Côte’s and Eramet’s commitment to making the decarbonisation of our activities a top priority, in line with the global climate emergency, ” said Frederic Zanklan, CEO, Eramet Grande Côte.

Zambia has officially signed an agreement to become a full member of the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA). This move is expected to expand Zambia’s market and boost its trade activities with other member states. The agreement was signed by Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali, during the Interstate Council of Ministers meeting held in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Minister Tayali stressed how important it is for Zambia’s trade and logistics industry to be a part of the Central Corridor. Zambia is a landlocked country, thus its main means of accessing foreign markets is through effective commercial routes. Zambia will benefit from greater access to major seaports by joining the Central Corridor, particularly Tanzania’s Port of Dar es Salaam, a significant gateway for trade in the area. Because it will be simpler to export goods to other African countries and abroad, this development is anticipated to open up new commercial prospects for Zambian companies.

An established, cohesive multimodal transportation and logistics network is the Central Corridor. By road, rail, and waterways, it links five important member states: Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By establishing essential links between landlocked states and the Indian Ocean, this network promotes easier trade and lowers the cost of transportation for products entering and leaving these countries. Zambia may now take advantage of this integrated system as a full member, which will improve its capacity to engage in regional trade more successfully.

Mr. Tayali expressed optimism about Zambia’s future within the Central Corridor. He noted that being part of this cooperative effort will not only improve access to markets but also enhance Zambia’s competitiveness in the global trade arena. The membership allows Zambia to be more integrated with its neighboring countries in terms of transport and trade facilitation, thus promoting economic growth and development. Zambia will also be in a better position to benefit from regional infrastructure projects, which are aimed at improving transport and trade routes, as well as reducing the time and cost associated with moving goods across borders.

The Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency was originally established to ensure coordination and cooperation among its member states in managing transit transport along the corridor. It plays a pivotal role in harmonizing policies and procedures that affect the movement of goods. With Zambia now on board, the agency is expected to increase its scope of influence and strengthen its efforts to promote smoother, more efficient transport links across the region.

Enhancing cooperation among participating nations is a fundamental aspect of the Central Corridor’s functional structure. The organization strives to expedite border checks, customs processes, and infrastructure upgrades that support the secure and timely flow of products. In order to minimize the obstacles and hold-ups that can impede cross-border trade in Africa, member-state collaboration has proven to be crucial.

Therefore, Zambia’s accession to the Central Corridor is a move in the right direction toward improved regional trade facilitation. It gives Zambia a dependable path for importing commodities and creates new opportunities for its exporters to more effectively reach international markets. Zambia is well-positioned to seize this chance to deepen its integration into the regional and international economies, supported by the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency.

Zambia has committed to collaborating closely with other African countries to improve trade and transportation connectivity, as seen by the signing of this pact. Zambia wants to boost its logistics network, reach a wider market, and aid in the development of the commerce infrastructure in the region by making the most of the Central Corridor.

With great pride, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group announces that it has successfully assisted the transportation of a massive 50-meter oxygen plant container to Solwezi, the capital of Zambia’s mineral-rich North-Western Province. Along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor, a distance of approximately 2,900 kilometers, is covered by the 63-meter-long truck carrying the 171-ton weighing plant.

It was sourced from Malaysia and shipped through the Port of Walvis Bay in Namibia, which is one of the most vital logistical centers in this region. It is a gateway for shipment into several African countries, from which cargo can be imported. In fact, it is even smoother and faster than elsewhere for importing goods, mainly to landlocked countries like Zambia. This decision to make use of this port, especially for such cumbersome cargo, underpins the critical role it plays in support of regional trade and transportation. From the port, the container is being transported through Namibia, passing different checkpoints and borders before it reaches Zambia’s mining hub in Solwezi.

Transportation of such huge equipment is an extremely specialized operation. Abnormal cargo would need an extremely cautious plan and tight coordination while at all times conforming to the strictest guidelines about safety and regulation. WBCG, in cooperation with its Transport Company and governmental agency partners, has been taking the leading role in the safe and efficient movement of cargo across national boundaries. This specially built 63-meter truck for oversized cargo transport boasts of the latest technologies and safety features, required in trying to undertake such an unprecedented long and heavy load.

The WBCG has underscored the belief that it regards the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor as an important Southern African trade route. It has, therefore, become one of the leading drivers in the economic development of this region, as it connects the Port of Walvis Bay to Zambia, the DRC, and other landlocked countries. This corridor provides regional exporters and importers with a strategic comparative advantage, as this route is much shorter compared to the alternative ports. It has also proven that it can carry large and huge cargo through the successful transportation of the oxygen plant container, further cementing its reputation as a corridor of choice for efficient routes of trade and investment.

The oxygen plant is headed to one of the major mining companies operating in Solwezi. North-Western Province is richly endowed with mineral deposits, mainly copper, which is an important export product for the country. The oxygen plant is envisaged to serve at the heart of mining operations, especially for bringing efficiency and environmental sustainability into mining processes. Oxygen in application has widely been used in mining operations for things like smelting, a basic means of extracting valuable metals from their ores.

The WBCG expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project and referred to the good cooperation that exists between the different role players in the logistics chain. “The group remains committed to excellent client service and ensuring the Walvis Bay Corridor remains the corridor of choice in the region for the transportation of goods.

The consignment of this oxygen plant, in a containerized move, portrayed the role and significance of the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor in facilitating regional trade and investment. Such a move also shows the commitment of the WBCG to efficiently assist in the movement of special project cargo to ensure safety for mining and logistics developments within the Southern African region.

Kenya has just allowed flights operated by Zambia Airways 2014 Limited into its territory. The move has been taken positively by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Eng. Museba Frank Tayali of Zambia. This happened in the wake of a notice from the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority announcing that flights from Kenya Airways into the country had been suspended, a situation which was resolved amicably between the two countries.

Minister Tayali has praised Kenya’s decision to permit Zambia Airways to begin operating flights into the nation as a positive move toward deepening the two nations’ ties. He pegged the development on how this cooperation shows the good connections and mutual respect that exist between the governments of the Republic of Zambia and Kenya, characterizing it as an exhibit of comradeship and goodwill between two sister nations.

My office has been working tirelessly with the CAA, and now it has all been settled amicably to the benefit of the two nations.” He hailed the CAA for running its business very professionally, saying the issue has clearly demonstrated that disputes can be resolved smoothly if taken with diplomacy and cooperation. Tayali seemed excited over the agreement reached between the two countries and highlighted that both Zambia and Kenya would greatly benefit from it.

The Minister underlined that air transport has a pivotal role in improving regional connectivity and that this partnership between the two countries is of critical importance to the growth of the economy and the development of the region. Tayali underlined the necessity of reinforcing the air transport sector, as it creates a critical avenue for better connectivity not only within but also beyond Africa. Efficient and reliable air transport links are crucial in fostering trade, tourism, and business opportunities to further the economic aims of both countries.

In this context, Tayali also insisted that Zambia and Kenya hasten talks to promote cooperation in the exportation of fresh agricultural produce to other Western and Asian markets. Improved air connectivity between Zambia and Kenya will definitely boost the export sector while opening new markets for farmers and producers from both countries, he said.

Tayali also urged the two airlines to encourage good international aviation principles that will ensure high levels of efficiency, safety, and security standards in aviation practices. He called upon both Zambia Airways and Kenya Airways to ensure improvement in passengers relations and first-class services to satisfy customers. Ensuring the skies are safe and secure and providing a service that is reliable and efficient are crucial to the success of the two regional airlines.

This is a positive step in aviation cooperation between the two countries, especially since the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority had written to them to confirm that they had no objections to Zambia Airways flying into Nairobi. This resolution is, in fact, a follow-through on an earlier decision made by the Zambian Civil Aviation Authority to suspend all Kenya Airways flights into Zambia, effective from 8th October 2024. The issue has been settled, with both countries now focusing on the way forward with strengthened aviation ties.

This development reflects the bigger ambition of both Zambia and Kenya, in fostering regional cooperation, particularly in air transport, which plays an important role in stimulating economic growth, accelerating regional integration, and opening new routes of trade. With Zambia Airways planning flights into Kenya, the two countries will now enjoy improved connectivity, with increased levels of collaboration within the aviation space. This is a move that is testament to the power of diplomacy and cooperation to ensure the doing of a common solution to complex problems for the advancement of shared prosperity.

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway, commonly known as Tazara, holds a special place in China-Africa relations as a symbol of enduring friendship. Built in the early 1970s with Chinese assistance, it was China’s largest foreign aid project in Africa, linking Zambia’s Copperbelt town of Kapiri-Mposhi to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam. However, more than five decades later, the 1,860-kilometer railway has fallen into disrepair, operating at a fraction of its capacity with only 10 locomotives in use out of a potential 50. Now, Beijing has pledged over US$1 billion to refurbish the ageing railway and restore it to full functionality.

The decision to revitalize Tazara comes at a critical time, as the US has announced its own African railway infrastructure project, bankrolling the refurbishment of the Lobito Corridor, which connects Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This move is seen as part of a broader competition for control over Africa’s transport routes and access to critical minerals, particularly those used in electric vehicle batteries, such as cobalt and copper. The race for these resources has intensified between China, the US, and the European Union, and Tazara plays a strategic role in this competition.

China’s commitment to upgrading Tazara, announced during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in September 2024, underscores the railway’s importance. The signing ceremony, witnessed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, marked the start of the railway’s revitalization. The state-owned China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), is negotiating a concession to operate the railway for 30 years, during which it aims to make Tazara profitable and recoup its investment before transferring control back to the Tanzanian and Zambian governments.

The rehabilitation plan includes upgrading tracks, purchasing new locomotives, and increasing the railway’s capacity to shift heavy cargo from road transport to rail. Zambian Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali noted that this revitalization would create jobs, enhance trade, and improve connectivity in the region. The Tazara Railway Authority echoed this optimism, stating that the railway’s operational capacity is expected to increase from the current 500,000 metric tonnes to approximately 2 million metric tonnes once the upgrades are complete. The project is estimated to take two years to complete.

Tazara’s importance extends beyond its economic role; it is a political and historical symbol for China. During its construction, 160 workers, including 69 Chinese nationals, lost their lives, and Chinese diplomats still honour their memory today. The railway was built during a period of resistance against Western control in Southern Africa. In the 1970s, China stepped in to fund the project when both the US and Russia refused, citing economic concerns. The railway was crucial for landlocked Zambia, whose access to the sea was cut off by its neighbour, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), during the region’s struggle for majority rule.

China’s rekindled interest in Tazara is also motivated by geopolitical factors. The DRC’s and Zambia’s vital minerals, which are needed to produce electric car batteries and other renewable energy technologies, are accessible via the railway. The significance of modernizing Tazara to conform to Africa’s modern railway infrastructure strategy was underscored by China-Africa specialist Lauren Johnston. China stands to lose influence in the transportation arteries of the area if this improvement is not carried out.

As part of a larger plan to preserve its influence in Africa and gain access to vital minerals, China is actively rehabilitating Tazara. It also emphasizes China’s and the West’s continuous geopolitical competition for sway over Africa’s resource and infrastructural sectors.