Bosch Rexroth Africa's engineering solutions help mining customers improve operational efficiency and equipment reliability.
other commodities.
markets. Today, we employ around 900 people across Africa, operating through 45 locations and 17 legal entities. This scale allows us to combine local expertise with continent-wide capabilities, ensuring we can support customers consistently across multiple regions and jurisdictions.” As global competition for critical minerals intensifies, Riley said customers are increasingly advancing new mining projects across Africa to capitalise on growing demand. “We are seeing many of our customers rethink their long-term mining plans and pursue ore bodies that were previously considered less attractive or more difficult to access,” he said. “Companies that historically focused on open-pit operations are increasingly willing to invest in underground mining as commodity prices improve and the economics become more favourable.” Riley noted that commodity cycles can shift dramatically over time, creating new opportunities for investment and expansion. “For many years, platinum group metals traded at a premium to gold, while gold remained relatively
stable at between $800 and $1 000 an ounce. Today, we are seeing a significant reversal in market dynamics, with gold prices reaching record levels and changing the economics of many mining operations.” He pointed to copper as another example of how higher commodity prices are supporting growth in the sector. “When I first visited Zambia around 2010, mines would often suspend production if copper prices fell below about $4 400 per tonne. Today, prices are substantially higher, which means deposits that may not have been economically viable in the past can now be developed profitably.” As a result, mining companies are accelerating production, investing in mine expansion projects, and exploring new opportunities to capitalise on strong demand for critical minerals and
“Across our customer base, we are seeing a strong push to increase output and maximise the value of existing assets while market conditions remain favourable.” Energy, defence and marine focus Beyond mining, Bosch Rexroth Africa serves a range of industries, including energy, marine, and defence, leveraging its engineering expertise to provide reliable, long-term solutions across these critical sectors. “The business is focused on four key verticals: mining, energy, marine, and defence. Growth for us is being driven by the opportunities we’re seeing across these sectors,” he explained. Within energy, the company is pursuing both renewable energy
SEPTEMBER 2026 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za MODERN MINING 39
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