With its traditional expertise in the design, construction & supply of metals and minerals processing plants, in and to remote locations, distributing and supporting capital equipment was a completely new business stream for Consulmet, which called for the establishment of a new division, Consulmet Equipment, to look after the Terex MPS business in the three Southern African countries.

Consulmet is taking a phased approach to the Terex MPS business. Initial focus has been placed on Angola, a market where the company will leverage the existing Consulmet project footprint and support resources to kickstart and expand its business. The next focus country will be Namibia, and eventually Botswana.

Instead of ‘jumping’ into the three countries at once, we have taken a decision to stabilise our Angolan venture first before we spread out into the remaining two countries. The decision to start with Angola was based on the good infrastructure and existing support structures and partners in the country. The next step is to develop our support network and infrastructure in Namibia and Botswana before we roll out in those two countries.

Second project

In October 2025, Consulmet Equipment successfully commissioned a second Terex MPS aggregate crushing plant in Angola, for a mining client wanting to produce their own aggregates for their civil works for a new minerals recovery plant they are installing.

Consulmet Equipment supplied a complete, 180tph aggregates plant that will produce three aggregate sizes. The complete plant consists of a WJ3042i wheeled vibrating grizzly feeder and jaw crusher unit, a WC1150S wheeled cone crusher and screen combination unit as well as all the necessary plant and product stockpile conveyors and surge bin with VSD pan feeder.

This aggregate plant was fully assembled, installed and commissioned, by the in-country Consulmet Equipment team, supported by Terex MPS, within three months of being delivered to site.

The holistic scope included the procurement, engineering, shipping from Terex MPS India to Luanda Port, Angola, transport of the plant from Luanda Port to site in Angola, assembly and installation of the plant, including the supply of reinforced concrete “sleepers” for the civils, and commissioning of the plant. The supply, installation and commissioning of diesel generators to run the plant was also included in the scope.

Consulmet Equipment’s scope further included the provision of all anticipated spares for the first year of operation of the aggregate plant as well as the operating and maintenance of the plant for the first year.

We are proud to mention that this project also benefits the local Angolan community.

Namibia project

Consulmet equipment are currently working very closely with a mining client in Namibia to replace their current fines crushing circuit with Terex MPS Modular Cone crushers with direct feed Surge Bins and VSD Pan Feeders.

The main benefit of utilising the Terex MPS modular systems, besides being a very cost-effective solution, is that they can be assembled, installed and commissioned with limited downtime and interruptions to the client’s current crushing plant and production.

Support matters

To ensure reliable customer support, Consulmet Equipment has deployed a fully equipped and trained team of technicians for installation, servicing, maintenance and refurbishment of Terex MPS and other Terex equipment. The team is supported by Consulmet’s local partners, which warehouses Terex MPS equipment and spares in Luanda, Lobito and Saurimo.

Once established with local partners in Namibia, Consulmet Equipment will deploy a local Namibian technical team for the installation, servicing, maintenance and refurbishment of Terex MPS equipment sold in Namibia and will also warehouse Terex MPS spares at strategic sites in Namibia.

terexmpsenquiries@consulmet.com

www.consulmet.com/consulmet-equipment

WhatsApp Business: +27 82 683 6967

The post Terex MPS – Namibia, Angola & Botswana appeared first on Namibian Mining News.

Latest statistics indicate that foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows between 2021 and 2024 reached N$151billion, far exceeding the N$50billion recorded between 2009 and 2020 and global interest continues to rise.

In a recent Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) webinar, four experts from the firm unpacked key trends driving the investment boom and explored how organisations can position themselves to benefit from this new era of opportunity.

Patrick Kauta, CDH Managing Partner and Director of Dispute Resolution saidt while recent FDI has been significant, the sum was used for exploration, which itself is capital-intensive.

“The challenge now is to convert foreign direct investment into tangible improvements like job creation,” he said.

In terms of driving this economic change, Ilda Lomba, CDH Director of Corporate & Commercial, said the National Development Plan (NDP6) positions oil and gas as strategic drivers of economic transformation, not just revenue-generating sectors.

“The focus is on value addition and beneficiation, rather than exporting raw resources,” she said. “In essence, the plan shifts Namibia from a raw resource exporter to a resource-based industrial economy, aligning natural resources development with long-term national growth.”

This challenge is echoed in the mining sector, which contributes approximately 13 percent to GDP and is both a priority and enabling sector under Namibia’s NDP6. Magano Erkana, Director of Banking, Finance & Projects, highlighted a need for government to optimise returns from these resources and invest in other sectors for sustainable development to uplift the standard of living for Namibians.

Ambitious targets have been set, including increasing the export of processed minerals from 46.6 percent to 57 percent by 2030 and attracting N$30billion in new mining investments. Erkana noted that the mining sector itself is positioned for significant expansion, with projects expected to drive capital expenditure of over N$2.8billion and create over 500 000 jobs by 2030.

Infrastructure development underpins much of this growth, with government focused on positioning Namibia as a strategic gateway that connects SADC with the world.

“Within the framework of the public-private forum, which is an institutionalised public-private dialogue that was launched in October 2025, it’s meant to facilitate collective effort and joint ownership by both public and private sectors in order to achieve the set goals,” Erkana added, listing targeted developments such as warehousing facilities and equipment, logistic parks, and increasing the transport capacity of the four main corridors, being Trans-Kalahari, Trans-Caprivi, Trans-Kunene, and Trans-Oranje.

Lomba added that energy infrastructure is a critical enabler of Namibia’s oil and gas sector. “Without it, discoveries cannot be commercially developed,” she said, pointing to the need for refineries, gas-to-power facilities, and expanded port and storage capacity.

Funding these large-scale projects requires a mix of financial structures. Erkana explained that mining projects typically rely on a combination of debt and equity, each with trade-offs.

“Equity financing offers access to capital without repayment obligations, but may result in equity dilution, whereas debt financing may come with higher interest rates and the pressure of meeting repayment schedules,” she said.

Alternative models such as royalty and streaming arrangements are gaining traction, offering upfront capital while preserving balance sheet flexibility. These structures, Erkana noted, can be tailored to project lifecycles and provide long-term, stable, and predictable returns for investors.

From a tax and structuring perspective, Mercy Kuzeeko, CDH Director of Tax & Exchange Control, emphasised the importance of careful planning when entering the Namibian market.

“Investors really have to determine the mode of entering the country and how they intend to fund their investment,” she said, noting that the choice between equity and debt has distinct tax and regulatory implications.

Meanwhile the country’s source-based tax system means that both foreigners and residents are only taxed on income that’s sourced in Namibia, offering a level of certainty for investors.

However, Kuzeeko cautioned that proposed legislative changes, including the recharacterisation of certain hybrid instruments, would influence how investors are going to structure their mode of investments.

Kuzeeko also outlined the primary investment vehicles available, including subsidiaries, branches, and joint ventures, stressing the importance of proper structuring from the outset to ensure the efficient repatriation of dividends and interest payments.

Lomba noted that the local content principle is central to ensuring that Namibia’s resource wealth translates into broad-based economic benefits for the Namibians.

“Under NDP 6, the focus is not just on the number of jobs available now, but on job opportunities to be created over time.” She warned, however, that implementation must be balanced.

“If it is too strict too early, it may discourage investment, but if it’s too weak, Namibia risks limited local benefit.”

Policy certainty and regulatory reform remain key to sustaining investor confidence. Erkana pointed to ongoing efforts to modernise outdated legislation, including a new Minerals Bill and a proposed Investment Promotion and Facilitation Bill aimed at streamlining processes and encouraging value addition.

“Government is looking to create an environment in which businesses can grow and create jobs. The creation of this enabling environment includes removing barriers, cutting red tape, and ensuring that enterprises thrive and FDI continues to increase,” she said.

The post Oil and gas drivers of economic transformation – Updated appeared first on Namibian Mining News.

The implementation covers four modules central to daily underground survey and geology workflows, namely: Pegs, Survey Measure, Geology Mapping, and Sampling. Together, these software modules replace manual data capture processes that could possibly introduce transcription errors, reporting delays, and incomplete information at the face level.

What was implemented

The Pegs module provides precise positional control, giving survey teams a digital record of peg placements that is accurate, traceable, and immediately available in the system, rather than sitting in a field book waiting to be captured at shift end.

Survey Measure replaces manual observation recording with real-time digital data capture, ensuring survey data is in the system as it is collected rather than after it has been transcribed.

Geology Mapping digitises geological face observations at the point of capture, allowing geologists to record directly into Syncromine while still underground, rather than onto paper forms that require manual entry later.

Sampling brings full traceability to sample data management, tracking every step from the point a sample is taken through to assay result integration into the ore accounting and resource model.

Integration with Deswik and Datamine

A defining feature of this implementation is the direct interface between Syncromine and both Deswik and Datamine. Data that previously required manual transfer between systems, with associated reconciliation effort and version control risk, now flows automatically through connected, validated pipelines. Technical teams at both operations are freed from data administration tasks and can focus their expertise on interpretation and decision-making.

“The integration between Syncromine and the broader technology ecosystem at these operations is what transforms a software implementation into an operational upgrade,” said Werner Minnie, Head of Business Development at Mineware Consulting. “When data moves automatically between validated systems, the quality of every decision made downstream improves.”

Historical data migration

The implementation included full historical data migration at both sites, addressing one of the most common practical limitations of new system go-lives. Rather than starting with a blank dataset, management at Masimong and Joel can interrogate historical trends, compare current performance against prior periods, and generate insights that reflect the full operational picture from day one.

A simultaneous two-site implementation

Going live at two mining operations concurrently is not a standard implementation approach. It requires client teams at both sites to be trained, configured, and operationally ready at the same point, while the Mineware implementation team manages two distinct operational environments in parallel.

“This kind of simultaneous go-live reflects the level of commitment the teams at Masimong and Joel brought to this project,” said Werner Minnie. “It takes genuine buy-in at every level of the operation to make a transition like this work at pace and at scale.”

Mineware Consulting looks forward to supporting both operations as they build confidence in the system and begin to realise the full value of integrated digital mine management across their survey, geology, and sampling workflows.

About Mineware Consulting

Mineware Consulting, now part of the global Datamine Group, delivers integrated mine management software through the Syncromine platform. Supporting underground and open-pit operations across Africa, Australia, and beyond, Syncromine connects production, safety, survey, ore accounting, planned maintenance, and bonus calculations in a single real-time environment. Founded in South Africa 30 years ago, Mineware combines software development with on-site consulting  – from implementation through to ongoing support. For more information visit www.mineware.co.za.

The post Mineware Consulting Goes Live at Masimong and Joel Mines with Integrated Survey, Geology, and Sampling Modules appeared first on Namibian Mining News.

The Toronto-venture-listed explorer commenced the campaign on June 3, targeting a first-ever resource estimate for a 1.5-kilometer-long mineralized system known as Area 5. The zone sits strategically between the project’s existing Area 4 and Area 2B planned mining pits.

The five-month program will deploy two rigs to drill 83 reverse-circulation holes, totaling roughly 13,000 meters. The project is being developed in partnership with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and Toyota Tsusho Corp., the trading arm of the Japanese automotive giant, as Japan moves to secure supply chains for electric vehicles and wind turbines outside of China.

The explorer is also pivoting toward long-term scale, aiming to drill a deep core hole to test whether the Area 4 deposit extends to a vertical depth of 800 meters, a milestone that could pave the way for a future underground operation.

“We are excited about the potential impact of this drilling campaign of not only expanding resources in our deposits with already existing mine plans but also stepping into potential additional satellite resources at Area 5,” Darrin Campbell, president of Namibia Critical Metals, said in a statement.

The upcoming drilling will primarily focus on infill and expansion work to upgrade the project’s “measured and indicated” resources, which are higher-confidence regulatory categories required to secure project financing. We will dedicate 5,670 meters of the program to the newly targeted Area 5 system.

The deep-drilling initiative at Area 4 represents the project’s highest-upside gamble. If successful, it could drastically alter the economics of the asset by stretching the anticipated life of the mine or allowing for higher processing volumes.

“Testing the extension of the Area 4 deposit to a depth of about 800 meters has the biggest potential impact for further mine life or increased throughput,” Campbell said. “Our experts in underground mining design are on standby to potentially guide the project to a significant expansion of the mine.”

The announcement follows a high-level site visit to the Lofdal project by senior executives from JOGMEC and Toyota Tsusho. The joint-venture partners held a series of stakeholder and update meetings with local communities and senior Namibian government officials, anchoring the project’s regulatory and social standing as operations ramp up.

Source:Bloomberg

The post Rare Earth Explorer Launches Massive Namibia Drill Drive with Toyota, Japan Backing appeared first on Namibian Mining News.

The launch of the 2026 drilling campaign marks a critical step in unlocking additional value at Lofdal, with a clear focus on both near-term resource optimisation and longer-term scale potential. The programme, which commenced on 3 June 2026, is designed to strengthen the project’s foundation as a globally significant source of heavy rare earth elements.

The drill programme commenced on 3 June 2026 and is designed to deliver a maiden resource for the 1.5 km-long xenotime-mineralised system at Area 5, located between the planned Area 4 and Area 2B pits. It also includes the first deep hole to test the potential extension of the Area 4 deposit to a depth of 800 metres, supporting studies into a possible future underground mining option. In addition, the programme aims to increase the Measured Resource category at Area 4 and to expand both Indicated and Measured Resources at Area 2B.

“We are excited about the potential impact of this drilling campaign of not only expanding resources in our deposits with already existing mine plans but also stepping into potential additional satellite resources at Area 5. Testing the extension of the Area 4 deposit to a depth of about 800 meters has the biggest potential impact for further mine life or increased throughput. Our experts in underground mining design are on standby to potentially guide the project to a significant expansion of the mine.”

The programme combines infill and expansion drilling with deeper exploratory work, reflecting a dual-track strategy of de-risking existing mine plans while unlocking new growth avenues. A total of 83 reverse circulation holes are planned over a five-month period, targeting approximately 13 000 metres, alongside core drilling to test the depth extension of Area 4.

Particular attention is being directed toward Area 5, where systematic drilling across a 1.5 km mineralised system could define a maiden resource and introduce a new satellite zone between existing pits. At the same time, the deep drilling of Area 4 to approximately 800 metres is expected to inform potential underground mining scenarios, with significant implications for extending mine life and increasing throughput.

The presence of strategic partners Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and Toyota Tsusho underscores the project’s growing importance within global critical minerals supply chains. Both partners recently conducted a site visit to Lofdal, alongside engagements with Namibian government stakeholders and local communities, reinforcing alignment on long-term development objectives.

Lofdal is recognised as a Tier-1 heavy rare earths asset, with high concentrations of dysprosium and terbium, key inputs for permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced technologies. As demand for these materials accelerates, supply security has become a strategic priority for industrial economies, elevating the importance of projects such as Lofdal.

Backed by a structured funding agreement, JOGMEC has already earned a 40% interest in the project, reflecting sustained commitment to securing reliable sources of critical minerals. The partnership framework also positions Lofdal within a broader ecosystem of Japanese industrial participation in global resource development.

With a 25 year mining licence in place and Namibia’s reputation as a stable mining jurisdiction, Lofdal is well positioned to advance toward production while scaling its resource base. The current drilling campaign is expected to play a central role in defining that trajectory. As exploration progresses, NCM is reinforcing Lofdal’s role as a long-life, strategically backed asset in the evolving global rare earths landscape.

The post Strategic Backers Boost NCM’s Lofdal Growth and Mine Life Ambitions appeared first on Namibian Mining News.

The mining operator is advancing a critical development phase targeting deep mineralization at the site near Karibib, according to a corporate statement. The push underground follows a successful trial mining run and encouraging structural data, signaling that one of Namibia’s oldest gold assets is preparing for a significantly extended lifespan.

“QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine is currently assessing the potential for a full underground mining operation following a successful trial mining phase conducted a few years ago,” said Venancio Guchu, the project’s underground mining manager. “The geological continuity and geotechnical evaluations produced encouraging results.”

The pivot comes at a critical time for African gold producers, who are increasingly forced to invest in complex underground engineering as easy-to-reach surface reserves deplete. At Navachab, crews are focusing development on the Main Shoot and North Shoot zones, located just north of the active open pits. Because the orebody remains open at depth, further exploratory success could dramatically alter the mine’s long-term production profile.

Contractors have already carved out roughly 390 meters along the Main Shoot decline. While crews executed the initial blast for this phase in December 2025, the real test of the deposit’s viability will begin later this year when exploration rigs spin up.

“The current phase of development is focused on creating access for exploration drilling and to gather critical geological data required for future mining decisions,” Guchu said, adding that specialized exploration drilling is scheduled to commence during the third quarter of 2026.

Mining deeper introduces severe technical pressure, particularly regarding wall stability and seismic risks. To mitigate these hazards, QKR is deploying controlled blasting techniques and automated, continuous rock-mechanics monitoring to protect crews working hundreds of meters below the surface.

“We continue to conduct geotechnical drilling and analysis to ensure that our underground designs remain safe and reliable,” Guchu said. “By continuously focusing on safety, we ensure that underground operations are carefully managed and that employees are always protected.”

To execute the specialised engineering, QKR partnered with international underground contractor Byrnecut. The expansion has created immediate domestic employment, with the project currently hiring 58 Namibian nationals, including 30 workers sourced directly from the local Karibib community.

The post Navachab Gold Mine Moves Deep as QKR Pushes Past Open Pits in Namibia appeared first on Namibian Mining News.

SKF was established in 1914 by Swedish holding company SKF AB as the first subsidiary on the African continent – then known as SKEFKO (South Africa) Ball Bearing Company Limited, based in Pritchard Street, Johannesburg.

Through its ability to remain dynamic, SKF South Africa has progressed from a bearings and engineering services supplier into a pioneer of innovative products and technologies that seamlessly integrate with the digital era, keeping pace with the rigorous demands of modern industry.

Modern industry demands smarter strategies that boost production while reducing operational costs to secure long‑term sustainability. In this pursuit, machine efficiency and reliability emerge as true game‑changers, redefining how companies achieve equilibrium between performance and cost.

SKF South Africa delivers integrated solutions that combine innovative design, superior products, advanced technologies, connected lubrication systems, state‑of‑the‑art condition monitoring, data analytics and machine learning. Backed by skilled engineering expertise, these solutions extend mean time between failures (MTBF), enhance machine longevity and reduce energy consumption.

As an OEM supplier of premium bearings, seals, power transmission, lubrication, condition monitoring and maintenance solutions, underpinned by mechanical engineering and remanufacturing expertise, SKF South Africa holds a competitive edge across nearly 40 sectors, from mining and renewable energy to rail, medical, food & beverage and paper.

In doing so, SKF empowers customers to meet rising production demands, reduce costs and advance their sustainability goals.

SKF South Africa considers its valued customers and the long‑term relationships built with them as central to the company’s success. SKF invests deeply in these partnerships, delivering ever more advanced and energy‑efficient solutions that reinforce its strong narrative of optimising the performance, life, reliability and efficiency of customers’ rotating assets.

Not only defined by the quality of its products and services, SKF’s core values – Collaboration, Courage, Curiosity and Care – guide employees’ decision‑making and ensure that every customer interaction is shaped by trust, collaboration and shared achievement.

The post SKF SA celebrates 112 years in rotating asset optimisation appeared first on Namibian Mining News.

Samplers collect representative samples that are accurate and reproducible, while centrifuges enable effective solid-liquid separation, dewatering, and classification within a process plant.

Despite their importance within the mineral processing value chain, maintenance of these electromechanical systems is often carried out reactively rather than in a proactive manner. This can lead to inaccurate sampling, unexpected failures, and costly operational downtime.

To better manage this, Multotec’s proactive maintenance approach helps customers extend the lifespan of their equipment, monitor wear rates and supports overall plant performance with the aim of achieving the best possible life cycle cost from the installed equipment.

Samplers and centrifuges operate under highly demanding conditions where extreme temperatures and corrosive or abrasive material can place strain on equipment. Centrifuges are exposed to high flow velocities, abrasive materials, and significant G-forces, while sampler cutter blades pass through process streams of abrasive materials, which contribute to wear on equipment components over time.

“Under the operational pressures of the mining industry, maintenance is often ignored when equipment appears to be functioning normally, only receiving attention once failures occur, by which point it is too late,” explains Gerrit du Plessis, Product Specialist for Solid-Liquid Separation at Multotec.

Centrifuges, typically installed at the end of metallurgical or chemical process streams for dewatering, play a direct role in the availability of upstream production lines, while samplers, designed to collect representative portions of mineral streams for analysis, are expected to operate with up to 99.95% accuracy.

“In a typical 56-shift production month, losing just one sampling shift due to a minor breakdown or equipment unavailability means that nearly two percent of the stream goes unsampled, which directly impacts overall sampling accuracy,” said Willem Slabbert, Specialist for Sampling and Magnetics at Multotec.

He adds that proactive, lifecycle-focused maintenance strategies are critical in all mining and industrial settings to sustaining consistent equipment reliability.

To prevent unplanned breakdowns, equipment must be engineered to perform reliably under demanding conditions and be supported by proactive monitoring and predictive maintenance programmes to maintain high levels of equipment availability.

Maintaining equipment longevity and availability requires a structured and proactive maintenance approach. Best practice includes on-site inspections to assess equipment condition, monitoring wear on critical components to better anticipate and schedule replacements.

“By implementing regular condition monitoring and predictive maintenance interventions, early signs of mechanical issues can be identified and addressed before they escalate,” Slabbert said.

Despite the clear benefits, mining operations often face practical challenges in keeping samplers and centrifuges performing optimally. These include the temptation to defer maintenance, running of equipment out of specification, limited on-site technical expertise of specialised equipment, and spare parts shortages that can delay critical repairs and replacement.

“There is a tendency on plants to do what is urgent and not do what is important,” Slabbert points out. Proactive maintenance, which is important, is not done as regularly as tending to an equipment failure, which is regarded as urgent. “A proactive maintenance strategy, which includes predictive maintenance and well-managed spare parts inventories, help mitigate risk and ensure consistent equipment performance,” Slabbert notes.

Importantly, the long-term reliability of samplers and centrifuges goes beyond the initial supply of equipment. “Tailored service-level agreements and structured field-service and technical support programmes from equipment suppliers enable more effective maintenance planning, faster issue identification, and timely resolution,” du Plessis notes.

Multotec’s experienced field-service technicians work closely with customers to maximise equipment life cycle, given the specialised skills required for effective maintenance of centrifuges and samplers. “The company conducts regular site visits and check-ins with maintenance staff to ensure that daily, weekly or monthly maintenance checks are completed, ensure that monthly and quarterly maintenance activities are undertaken, and to plan for monthly, quarterly or bi-annual maintenance shutdowns,” du Plessis explains. “Support also extends to maintenance staff training if required and guidance on critical stock and spare part holding.”

Moreover, Multotec’s operating and maintenance manuals, which are underpinned by the company’s application knowledge, technical expertise and understanding of process flow sheets, provide a best practice guideline for clients to get the most out of their equipment.

“When these practices are followed, equipment can operate reliably for over 20 years, while poor maintenance can lead to catastrophic failures in as little as 18 months if operating conditions are not monitored and maintenance is not undertaken,” said Slabbert.

The post Proactive maintenance maximises sampler, centrifuge longevity appeared first on Namibian Mining News.

This model reduces setup and dismantling time to two or three days, roughly half the time required by standard cranes in its class. In addition, it delivers fuel savings of 10 to 15 percent, thanks to its Global Power Control Technology.

The new XCL18000M will initially operate in South Africa at an onshore wind farm near Cape Town, though it will later be used to support various petrochemical plant expansion projects and mining operations in Africa.

Among its key technological innovations are its Intelligent AI Operations system, featuring hook anti-sway, center of gravity control, and ground pressure warnings, as well as its ability to partially retract and travel between wind turbine installation sites fully upright in just six hours.

Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport, and crane rental services, has just added the new XCMG XCL18000M crane to its fleet in Southern Africa, a crawler crane with a maximum capacity of 1,300 tons, making it one of the largest crawler crane in the region and surpassing other models on the market that had a capacity of 1,000 tons, as well as units already in its fleet, such as the SCC8000A with a maximum capacity of 800 tons.

This new crane is specially designed for use in projects requiring particularly powerful units with high capacity, in sectors such as the petrochemical, wind energy, mining, power, and construction industries. Initially, it will be used in the development of a wind farm near Cape Town, where it will work alongside the SCC8000A to erect and install 24 wind turbines. Sarens has already identified potential projects involving petrochemical plant expansions or mining operations in Africa as possible new destinations for this unit once its work at the new wind farm is completed.

Among its technical capabilities, the new XCMG XCL18000M stands out for its high maximum lifting capacity (1,300 tons) and its peak load moment of 18,000 ton-meters. In addition, it reaches a maximum operating lift height of up to 198 meters, plus an 8-meter jib, and features a dual-drive system, which utilizes dual engines and hydraulic systems to ensure superior power and operational redundancy. It also incorporates an innovative Intelligent AI Operations system, comprising a hook anti-sway system, center of gravity control, and ground pressure warnings, among other features. This crane also operates with a 260-ton superlift (overlifting) counterweight pallet to secure extended heights and heavy radius.

The post Sarens adds new XCMG XCL18000M crane to South African fleet appeared first on Namibian Mining News.

From Africa to Latin America, governments and operators are responding with renewed investments in exploration, production and infrastructure, signaling a shift away from energy subtraction and toward energy addition.

Speaking during the ARPEL Conference 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC) – the voice of the African energy sector – delivered a direct message to policymakers, investors and industry leaders: “Forget transition. Let’s talk about addition. Let’s give people what they need.”

The numbers support the argument. Energy poverty remains one of the greatest barriers to economic development globally.

In Africa alone, more than 600 million people remain without access to electricity, with nearly one billion people living without access to clean cooking technologies, the most disproportionately affected of which are women.

Asking developing economies to produce less energy while these realities persist is fundamentally disconnected from the needs of billions of people.

“For far too long, we have been told to build less, produce less and pay more for energy,” Ayuk stated.

“In Africa, we believe this is a moment for energy addition, not energy subtraction. Drill, baby, drill. It’s more important today than ever before.”

Africa offers the clearest justification for increasing oil and gas production. Despite holding more than 125 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, the continent relies heavily on imported petroleum products to sustain its economies. Inadequate investment flows across the energy value chain have impacted development and industrialization, leaving millions in the dark.

The global energy transition further compounds this challenge. Opposition by environmental groups, a shift toward aid rather than commercial business structures and diminishing investment for oil and gas projects have brought significant implications to the continent. While developed economies are pursuing a shift towards alternative energy sources, Africa needs its oil and gas, now more than ever before.

Efforts are being made across the continent to produce more oil and gas. Leading producers such as Nigeria and Angola strive to increase output, targeting brownfield development, accelerated exploration and enhanced recovery.

Emerging producers such as Namibia are fast-approaching first oil, while discoveries made in Ivory Coast, investments made in the Republic of Congo, and new LNG builds in Mozambique and Tanzania are supporting greater production continent-wide.

“We must remain resolute. We must commit to an industry that builds more, produces more and never apologizes for oil. Many people in Africa are not ashamed of oil. We believe oil has a major role to play in our energy future,” Ayuk said.

The post Forget energy transition, produce oil like nothing before appeared first on Namibian Mining News.