WEST AFRICA
Weir solutions delivered by local expertise close to customers
Serving a growing customer base in West Africa, Weir has strategically deployed its human resources across Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Mali, Nigeria and Ghana to provide a strong regional presence, according to Andrew Ayirebi, Weir’s Regional Manager West Africa.
Andrew Ayirebi, Weir’s Regional Manager West Africa.
Weir’s ENDURON HPGRs deliver up to 40% energy savings when compared to traditional SAG mill technology.
“T he mining landscape in West Africa has undergone significant changes in recent years, with increasing expectations for efficiency, sustainability and technological integration,” Ayirebi says. “Weir has responded proactively to these evolving needs, positioning itself as a strategic partner for mining operations – who increasingly seek to optimise its performance while minimising its environmental impact.” To support customers in aligning with global sustainability priorities, Weir invests in research and development initiatives that support its Enterprise Technology Roadmap – focusing on moving less rock, using less energy, using water wisely and creating less waste. He highlights that Weir recognises each mining customer as a unique operation with specific challenges and demands. The company therefore bases its approach on customised solutions, applied to a wide range of commodities mined in the West African region, from gold and bauxite to iron ore and lithium. Weir is transitioning to configured-to-order (CTO) systems to further reduce lead times and improve the efficiency and stability of supply chains. Weir’s partnerships with customers in West Africa extend across the mining lifecycle, he explains, prioritising on-site support, fast response times, sustainable mining and processing solutions and reduced operational costs. Among the key areas where Weir adds value are in comminution, classification, slurry handling and dewatering. “Recognising that grinding is one of mining’s most energy intensive processes, for instance, our ENDURON® high pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs) reduce energy consumption in comminution applications,” he says. “By delivering up to 40% energy savings
– when compared to traditional semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill technology – we can reduce customers’ power consumption costs and their related carbon emissions.” At Endeavour’s Lafigué open pit gold mine in north-central Côte d’Ivoire, for instance, Weir provided its HPGR technology to save energy and reduce the carbon footprint – alongside consuming less grinding media – to achieve lower operating costs and ensure a more consistent throughput. The ENDURON® HPGR has delivered an operating availability of over 97% and will enable the mine to achieve US$2,6 million in energy savings each year. This equates to avoiding the emission of 18 500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year. The company’s WRT® parts in its WARMAN® pumping systems also reduce energy usage and waste, while its GEHO® positive displacement pumps minimise energy when transporting high density slurries over long distances. On the classification side, Weir’s solutions ensure optimal particle size distribution, to maximise the efficiency of downstream processes. “We also leverage the power of digital technology to further enhance the value that our equipment delivers,” he says. “By applying our NEXT intelligent solutions, we give mining operators real-time insights into equipment condition and performance; this connectivity enables smarter planning while ensuring less downtime and better overall plant efficiency.” This depth of engagement on mining sites gives Weir the opportunity to collaborate closely with customers to continually optimise operations for the best bottom-line results. Recently addressing a West African mine’s challenges in its mill circuit – which represents the heart of any mine’s process plant – Weir was able to deliver significant value.
24 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | NOVEMBER2025
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker