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.