With over 75 years in the industry, Moolmans is one of Africa’s largest open-cut mining contractors with an enviable portfolio of projects across South Africa. Rod Dixon, Managing Director, talks through the company’s unmatched reputation for dependable service and quality results.
DELIVERING RESOURCES FOR A BETTER FUTURE
The South African mining industry undoubtedly remains a significant contributor to the country’s economy, employing close to 475,000 people and contributing hundreds of billions of rand to South Africa’s (SA) GDP annually.
However, mining’s total economic contributions have in fact fallen in recent years on account of global and national challenges. Declining production in certain sectors, infrastructure problems, modernisation, safety and security concerns, skills gaps, and logistics and transport challenges, to name a few, have persisted across SA’s mining landscape.
International industry obstacles, meanwhile, including geopolitical tensions, volatile commodity pricing, uncertain markets, and increasing stakeholder pressure to reduce the sector’s environmental and social footprints, are having an equally detrimental impact.
Nevertheless, there are ongoing efforts to overcome these challenges by attracting investment and increasing spending in new mining projects and exploration activities, which will support the industry’s forecasted growth following improvements to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE) mining cadastre system.
Investment in the country’s mining sector is also expected to be boosted by growing outlays on renewable energy projects.
“Around 70 percent of confirmed utility-scale renewable energy projects are related to the mining sector. This means there are potentially about 90 mining projects with an estimated investment value of around ZAR275 billion over the next several years,” opens Rod Dixon, Managing Director of Moolmans, one of Africa’s largest open-cut mining contractors.
“So, whilst there may not be significant greenfield mining investment in the foreseeable future, mining companies will be investing to future-proof existing operations,” he expands.
A PREMIER MINING CONTRACTOR
This year marks Moolmans’ 75th anniversary, presenting the company with the opportunity to reflect on its past, celebrate its achievements, and look towards a brighter future.
Over the last seven decades, Moolmans has developed an unparalleled reputation in the open-cut mining sector, renowned for its dependable service and commitment to delivering quality results.
“Our proud and long-standing reputation for exceptional reliability and industry performance is the cornerstone of the strong relationships we enjoy with our clients and the foundation of our success.
“But this reputation alone is not enough to ensure Moolmans remains a forerunner on the continent, as we continue to deliver end-to-end open-cut mining and rehabilitation excellence,” Dixon notes.
With extensive experience in both hard and soft rock environments, the company offers a full range of open-cut mining services, from short-term waste mining and bulk earthworks to long-term mining solutions and rehabilitation.
Moolmans’ far-reaching footprint across SA comprises two significant contracts. In January 2023, the company entered into a five-year contract with long-standing client Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining, SA’s largest manganese exporter, whilst also signing a multi-billion-rand contract with Black Mining Mountain (BMM) in the Northern Cape earlier this year.
The strength of Moolmans is further underpinned by robust partnerships, extensive experience in remote and difficult locations, and a track record of sound project delivery.
“Our success is also attributed to an executive team that brings diverse expertise and extensive experience, alongside a workforce of more than 1,600 employees.
“These include skilled and experienced operators, disciplined project managers, qualified engineers, quality, health, safety, and environment (QHSE) professionals, and a range of support staff, all grounded in a culture of customer centricity,” he prides.
RENEWED CONTRACTS
In February this year, Moolmans secured a 60-month, ZAR10.6 billion contract with BMM –jointly owned by Vendanta Zinc International and Exxaro Resources – for the open-pit Gamsberg mine in the Northern Cape.
The project comes on the back of Moolmans’ previous extended contract at Gamsberg with BMM – also an open-pit operation and the largest zinc project in the region.
“This renewed contract is a testament to the value-added relationships we have with our customers and suppliers and confirms Moolmans’ reputation in the industry for exceptional reliability and performance,” Dixon highlights.
A dedicated team has already overseen the ramp up of the project to full operation and ensured a seamless transition to the new contract whilst maintaining the highest safety and productivity standards.
Moreover, in order to meet its obligations to deliver significantly increased volumes at Gamsberg, the company has deployed previously used equipment from completed projects and commissioned new machinery in partnership with key original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) through a ZAR1.3 billion fleet renewal programme, making Moolmans an integral part of BMM’s growth strategy.
Based on the company’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence, and in the context of an increased scope of work, the new contract will facilitate the addition of 340 team members to the existing site workforce, which now sits at just under 700 people in total.
“This demonstrates Moolmans’ dedication to supporting customers in boosting employment and economic benefits in the areas where we operate,” he affirms.
ADVANCEMENTS IN AUTOMATION
Having traditionally relied upon manual labour in previous decades, the opencast mining sector has experienced a remarkable revolution in process innovation in recent years.
“Automation, real-time data analytics, remote operation centres, and artificial intelligence (AI) are no longer just buzzwords – they are helping transform the mining sector into a new era of unparalleled efficiency, heightened safety, and improved environmental performance.
“They are also the driving forces behind Moolmans’ quest for continuous improvement,” Dixon expresses.
Automation, in particular, is playing a key role in reforming opencast mining by integrating sophisticated machinery and systems that minimise human intervention and maximise productivity.
With nearly eight decades of experience and one of the largest and diverse fleets of mining equipment in Africa, next-generation technology is being applied to enhance productivity, safety, and efficiency.
Real-time data analytics, specifically, are transforming the way Moolmans’ operations are monitored and managed.
By leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) devices, sensors, and advanced software, the company collects and analyses vast amounts of data instantaneously.
This data-driven approach allows for real-time monitoring of equipment performance and environmental conditions, whilst predictive maintenance identifies potential equipment failures before they occur, reducing downtime and costs.
Adding to the list of innovations, Moolmans’ recently introduced command centres represent significant advancements in mining management and highlight the value of an efficient planning process.
The centres allow for the remote control and monitoring of mining activities, removing individuals from mine site hazards.
“Leveraging state-of-the-art communication technologies, operators can manage equipment, analyse data, and make real-time decisions without being physically present in the pit, enhancing safety and reducing response times,” Dixon elaborates.
Moolmans is equally embracing the transformative potential of AI, recognising its pivotal role in modernising operations and the opencast mining sector as a whole.
The implementation of AI algorithms means the company can analyse vast data sets to identify patterns and optimise mining operations with pinpoint precision, empowering smarter decision-making and more efficient resource management.
Meanwhile, machine learning (ML) models predict equipment failures, improve maintenance schedules, and significantly reduce unexpected downtimes.
As such, these systems enhance operational planning by accurately forecasting production outcomes and resource needs.
“The future of mining is sustainable, smart, and highly advanced, and Moolmans is keeping pace with cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to achieve our vision of being the premier mining contractor in Africa,” Dixon emphasises.
“Being one of Africa’s premier contract miners doesn’t only mean that we deliver operational excellence – it also means that we care”
Rod Dixon, Managing Director, Moolmans
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CARE
Moolmans recognises that the success of its operations relies on a climate of socioeconomic prosperity.
“Being one of Africa’s premier contract miners doesn’t only mean that we deliver operational excellence – it also means that we care,” Dixon shares.
“We care about whether our employees and customers are proud to work with us and our communities are proud to be associated with us, we care about the environment and building a sustainable future, and we care about the way we do things.”
In aid of this conviction, the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies across all operations are aligned with internationally recognised sustainability guidelines and principles.
With this in mind, Moolmans responds to a range of community needs and strives to build sustainable social capital in the communities where it operates.
It is equally important to the company that it mobilises and builds on its relationships with customers and other stakeholders to ensure a broader and more meaningful impact on the local community.
“This closely aligns with our values, from showing we care and collaborating with our partners to ensuring we have a workforce that is fit to deliver excellent performance for our customers,” says Dixon.
As Moolmans looks to the next 75 years, the company must build on its resilience and ability to adapt to an everchanging mining environment in order to solidify its place as a premier mining contractor in Africa.
The immediate focus of the leadership team is to enhance operational efficiencies through strategic capital investments, mine planning, and fleet optimisation.
Longer term, the company seeks to diversify across geographical, commodity, and currency lines.
“Our ongoing and future investment in our people and the processes, systems, and technology that keep us at the cutting edge will be critical and a key focus for our business,” Dixon concludes.
MOOLMANS PARTNER
