says. “Facilities with heavy engineering capability and crane clearance at these heights are rare in the country, yet they are essential to support the ambitious manufacturing plans we are rolling out at Alrode.” The upgraded facility enables the safe and efficient assembly of large screen components such as the subframe, screen body, screen deck and exciters, with completed units reaching heights of over 15 metres, Van Vuuren notes. The new production bays will have the capacity to manufacture at least two ENDURON® Elite screens per month - without disrupting Alrode’s ongoing output of small, medium and large screens across the broader ENDURON® range. “Our production for the first half of 2026 will be dedicated to fulfilling the Reko Diq contract, but market interest in our larger ENDURON® Elite screens is already strong,” he says. “We anticipate ramping up production soon and have deliberately designed the facility to accommodate future capacity upgrades as demand grows.” Weir is advancing the development of its Alrode plant in line with its strong sustainability commitments, with the expanded facility serving as one of the company’s pilot sites for water-based paint application. This shift helps lower carbon emissions across both the production process and supply chain, he notes, supporting Weir’s global target of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. “The facility is running entirely on renewable energy from a solar power generation system - with the only exception being the variable speed drive used to start up the screens,” he says. Van Vuuren emphasises the broader economic benefits of the expansion, from boosting local procurement and export earnings to creating jobs and developing skills. While most of the ENDURON® Elite screens produced at Alrode will be destined for export, nearly all components and materials are sourced locally. “The expansion opened up around 40 new technical positions at Alrode, including roles in screen assembly, hand- lining and painting,” Van Vuuren explains. “We upskilled some of our current employees as assemblers and fitters - giving them a path into formal trades and supporting career growth from within. At
The recent expansion at Weir Alrode, which included the addition of a heavy bay screen manufacturing facility, has added a further 1 600 m² of dedicated production space under roof.
The new Screens Heavy Bay facility at Weir Alrode was opened recently by Bridget Ledwaba, Managing Director Weir Africa, and Ryan Hilton, Regional Managing Director - EMEA AT Weir.
Construction of the new heavy bay screens manufacturing facility commenced in February 2025.
the same time, we are creating opportunities for new entrants in lower-skilled roles, with a focus on developing their potential over time.” n
April 2026 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za MODERN MINING 27
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