AFRICA
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projects and conventional coal-fired power generation, as both markets continue to present significant opportunities. “We are seeing strong momentum in the energy sector,” Riley explained. “In South Africa, Eskom’s renewed focus on maintenance and broader infrastructure investment is creating opportunities across the value chain. At the same time, significant investment in renewable energy projects, particularly wind and solar, is driving demand for reliable engineering solutions.” As such, the company has established a strong presence in the local renewable energy sector. As the local representative for ZF wind turbine gearboxes, Bosch Rexroth Africa supports more than 300 wind turbines across the country with specialist technicians trained to work at height. Riley noted that while these turbines were historically serviced by teams from Europe, as a certified Level 2 BEE entity, the company now provides this capability locally. Further to this, Bosch Rexroth Africa regularly services offshore oil and gas platforms that call at Cape Town for maintenance, with technicians specially trained and certified to work on offshore rigs. The defence sector is also showing signs of renewed activity. “South Africa has a long history in defence manufacturing, and we are seeing increasing levels of inquiry from this sector,” he said. “Many of the projects we supported in the 1980s are now being revisited, creating new opportunities for engagement.” These market trends are directly influencing the company’s strategic priorities. Riley noted that dedicated energy and marine strategies have already been implemented, including the launch of Hytec Marine last year to strengthen the company’s position in the growing maritime market. He added that although Bosch Rexroth Africa has a long history of supporting offshore mining operations, its ambitions in the marine sector extend well beyond that market. “We have developed significant expertise through our involvement in offshore mining, and we’re now leveraging that knowledge, together with the capabilities of our third-party suppliers, to support the broader marine industry,” he said, emphasising that the company’s focus is not limited to mining vessels alone. “A vessel is very similar to a mine in one important respect: if it stops operating, it costs money. Reliability and uptime are just as critical in the marine sector as they are in mining.” Drawing on its extensive footprint across Africa, the company is developing strategies to support global shipping operators throughout the continent. “We have a strong presence across Africa, and we are looking at how we can leverage that network to support vessels moving through African ports and shipping routes,” Riley said. As an example, he explained that vessels often pre-order critical components before arriving in port. “A ship may notify us that it will be docking in Cape Town and requires a specific filter or replacement component. We can have that equipment ready and waiting on the quayside when the vessel arrives, minimising downtime and keeping operations moving.” The company sees significant opportunities to expand its role in the broader
Hydraulic pumps, cylinders, motors, hoses and filtration systems form part of Bosch Rexroth Africa's mining solutions portfolio.
Hägglunds drive system on a stacker-reclaimer installation, illustrating Bosch Rexroth Africa's expertise in delivering reliable solutions for mining and bulk materials handling operations.
Mobile hydraulic cylinders play a critical role in excavators and other mining equipment, supporting safe, reliable operation in challenging conditions.
maritime sector while building on its long-established experience in offshore mining. “We need to have confidence in Africa’s potential and promote the continent as the next global growth engine. Just as Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and India emerged as major industrial and manufacturing hubs, Africa has the opportunity to follow a similar path. We have the natural resources, the talent and the potential to become the world’s next growth story,” concluded Riley. n
40 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | SEPTEMBER 2026
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