Mining

Aramine and sensmore have announced a partnership to introduce an automated, battery-powered Aramac L140B loader into the underground production environment at Cemex in Germany.

The future of European resource extraction has taken a significant leap forward.

Aramine and Sensmore have announced a partnership to introduce an automated, battery-powered Aramac L140B loader into the underground production environment at Cemex in Germany. This collaboration transforms a proven underground machine into a fully autonomous production system designed for real operating conditions.

As Europe actively seeks secure access to critical raw materials, underground extraction must become safer, more efficient, and less dependent on scarce skilled labour. Autonomous machines represent a practical path to achieving these vital goals by greatly reducing operator exposure to demanding underground environments.

Marc Melkonian, co-president at Aramine in charge of the equipment division, highlighted the strategic importance of this development. "The next step is to take raw materials under our feet, under our ground, in Europe, and not on the other side of the world. For that, we are not going to send people underground, but we are going to send machines that are capable to do it by themselves," said Melkonian.

The hardware driving this initiative is the Aramac L140B loader, provided by Aramine. Launched in 2016 to introduce new technology into underground mining, this battery-powered machine was explicitly designed with the openness required for autonomous control. Featuring a 1.3-tonne payload, it is engineered specifically for the distinct challenges of narrow-vein mining. The L140B successfully combines productivity, manoeuvrability, and operational flexibility in confined underground spaces. Operating with zero local CO2 emissions, the loader supports safer mining environments whilst enabling the transition toward fully autonomous production.

While Aramine provides the physical platform, sensmore acts as the automation system provider. The software company turns the L140B into an intelligent, autonomous production machine. The integration encompasses the entire automation stack, safety architecture, machine control, and operational interfaces required for active production use. At Cemex in Rüdersdorf, sensmore connected the automated L140B to the entire production process, including the conveyor belt, functional safety networks, and site infrastructure. Consequently, the machine operates not as an isolated robot, but as an integral part of the continuous underground workflow.

"Autonomy in heavy industry only creates real value when it is vertically integrated into the production environment," said Maximilian Rolf, CEO and Co-founder of sensmore. "At Cemex, we are integrating the Aramine L140B into the entire underground process. That is how autonomous machines become part of industrial reality today".

The operational impact of this deployment is already highly visible. Christian Zinnecker, coordinator underground operations, extraction & blasting at Cemex, noted the project's significance. "Implementing this system is a major milestone for us. It helps improve productivity, reduces operator exposure to underground risks, and supports our journey toward safer and lower-emission mining operations" said Zinnecker.

The automated Aramac L140B boasts remarkable endurance, operating autonomously for up to eight hours, compared with around five hours in manual, manned mode. This substantial increase translates into greater machine availability, a reduction in repetitive tasks, and a significantly safer working environment underground.

Together, Aramine, sensmore, and Cemex are demonstrating that autonomous underground extraction is no longer a future concept. It is becoming an industrial reality: safer for people, easier to operate, and fully ready to support the next generation of underground resource production.

Dhofar Islamic has signed an agreement to support the development of Oman’s first underground copper mining project, reinforcing the Sultanate’s ambitions to expand its mining industry and strengthen economic diversification efforts under Oman Vision 2040.

The agreement will support the Al Ghuzayn copper project being developed by Mawarid Mining, the mining investment arm of Mohammed Al Barwani LLC. The initiative is regarded as an important milestone for Oman’s minerals sector as the country seeks to increase local value creation and establish a stronger presence within global copper supply chains.

Representatives from Dhofar Islamic, Mawarid Mining and Ahli Islamic attended the signing ceremony, alongside senior executives from the MB Group.

Copper demand has risen significantly in recent years due to its importance in renewable energy technologies, power infrastructure, electric vehicles and industrial manufacturing. The Al Ghuzayn development is expected to contribute to Oman’s long-term industrial growth while supporting the transition towards more sustainable industries globally.

Amor Al Amri said the project represented a major addition to Oman’s mining landscape.

“As Oman’s only underground copper mining development, Al Ghuzayn reflects both the forward-looking vision of MB Group and the structuring capabilities of Dhofar Islamic,” he said. “This project represents a significant addition to the Sultanate’s mining sector and aligns closely with Oman Vision 2040, supporting economic diversification and sustainable growth.”

Beyond increasing copper production, the project is expected to generate employment opportunities for Omani nationals across technical and operational fields, while also supporting local suppliers, skills development and community initiatives.

Mawarid Mining views the project as a strategic investment that will strengthen Oman’s role in supplying minerals required for global industrial and energy transition projects. The company said the development would contribute to expanding downstream mining activities and enhancing the country’s industrial capabilities.

The Al Ghuzayn project also reflects wider regional efforts to diversify Gulf economies beyond hydrocarbons by investing in critical minerals and industrial infrastructure. As countries accelerate renewable energy adoption and electrification programmes, copper has become one of the most sought-after resources worldwide due to its use in power transmission, battery systems and advanced manufacturing.

With construction and development progressing, the project is expected to play a key role in supporting Oman’s mining ambitions while contributing to broader economic growth and industrial resilience.

Sohar Titanium, Oman’s first titanium slag production project, has officially moved into the production phase following the start-up of its first electric arc furnace at Sohar Freezone.

The RO63.5mn project marks a major step in the Sultanate’s efforts to establish a presence in the global titanium supply chain and strengthen downstream mineral processing industries under Oman Vision 2040.

Yusuf bin Abdullah Al Balushi, acting CEO of Sohar Titanium, confirmed that operations have commenced at the facility’s first furnace, according to the Oman Observer. The furnace has an annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes.

“We have started operating the first of our three furnaces. The furnace that has been commissioned has a capacity of 50,000 tonnes and so far we are proceeding according to schedule,” Al Balushi said in a project update.

He added that the remaining two furnaces would be commissioned in stages, with the facility expected to reach its full annual production capacity of 150,000 tonnes by the end of 2026.

“By the end of 2026, we expect to have completed and operated all the furnaces and begin exports to overseas customers interested in titanium metal,” he said.

The development is being undertaken by Sohar Titanium (FZC) LLC, a joint venture involving Dubal Holding LLC, Minerals Development Oman (MDO) and TI International through Gulf Titanium DMCC.

Dubal Holding, the Dubai Government’s commodities and industrial investment arm, holds a 65% stake in the venture, while MDO owns the remaining 35%.

Titanium slag is produced through the processing of ilmenite ore in electric arc furnaces and is mainly used in the manufacture of titanium dioxide, a white pigment widely used in paints, plastics, paper, coatings and consumer products.

The remaining titanium output can be processed into titanium sponge and titanium metal, materials valued for their strength, low weight and corrosion resistance.

Al Balushi described titanium as a highly specialised material used across several advanced industries, including aerospace, defence, submarine manufacturing, medical technologies and space applications.

He also revealed that industrial buyers from China, Japan, Europe and the United States have already shown interest in sourcing titanium products from the Sohar facility.

The project is expected to contribute to Oman’s industrial diversification strategy by supporting value-added mining activities, boosting exports and creating opportunities within the country’s growing metals and minerals sector.

Located within Sohar Freezone, the facility also benefits from direct access to regional logistics and export infrastructure, positioning Oman to compete more effectively in international titanium markets.

Pilot Crushtec has been named Metso’s Best Dealer in the EMEA region, a prestigious international accolade recognising the company’s strong commercial performance, customer support strength and long-standing commitment to delivering high-value crushing and screening solutions across the Middle East and Africa

The award positions Pilot Crushtec among Metso’s top distributors globally, while specifically recognising its leading performance across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It also reflects the company’s sustained sales success, technical capability and customer-focused service approach across its Southern and sub-Saharan African territory.

According to Francois Marais, sales and marketing director at Pilot Crushtec, the recognition marks an important milestone for the business and highlights the collective effort of its people.

“This recognition is a significant achievement and a powerful testament to the commitment, expertise and passion of our entire team,” commented Marais.

“Being recognised on an international stage among leading distributors including others across Europe, the Middle East and Africa reinforces our position as a trusted partner and industry leader.”

Marais says several factors contributed to the company securing the award, including continued market growth across Southern and sub-Saharan Africa, robust aftermarket support capabilities and deep product and application knowledge.

“Our consistent sales performance and market growth across Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa has been a key contributor,” explained Marais.

“Despite challenging market conditions in many sectors, we have continued to grow the presence of Metso’s crushing and screening solutions in the region.”

He adds that Pilot Crushtec’s established service teams, technical expertise and parts availability ensure customers receive dependable support throughout the full equipment lifecycle.

“Our team works closely with customers to understand their operational requirements and provide solutions that optimise productivity, efficiency and long-term value,” said Marais.

The recognition follows the recent five-year renewal of Pilot Crushtec’s distributorship agreement with Metso, further underlining the strength of the partnership and ensuring customers across Southern and sub-Saharan Africa continue to access globally recognised crushing and screening technology.

“The five-year renewal of our distributorship agreement with Metso is extremely significant for Pilot Crushtec’s long-term strategy and reinforces the strength and stability of our partnership,” Marais says.

Through the renewed agreement, Pilot Crushtec will continue supplying Metso’s static and mobile crushing and screening equipment to customers operating in some of the region’s toughest mining and quarrying environments. It also supports ongoing investment in technical training, spare parts availability and support infrastructure.

Customers benefit from the combination of world-class technology and strong local backing, with Pilot Crushtec maintaining strategic stock of equipment, wear parts and critical components to minimise lead times and maximise uptime.

“Our highly trained service teams work closely with Metso to ensure that customers receive expert installation, commissioning, maintenance and troubleshooting support,” Marais explained. “This ensures machines operate at optimal performance levels throughout their lifecycle.”

The company’s aftermarket portfolio includes genuine spare parts, wear parts, service agreements, technical upgrades and operator training, helping customers maximise productivity and long-term returns.

Looking ahead, Pilot Crushtec plans to build on the latest recognition by expanding its footprint across Africa and further strengthening its support and service capabilities.

“Our priority is to continue delivering exceptional value to our customers and strengthening our position as a leading provider of crushing and screening solutions in Africa, while continuing to build our broader presence and reputation in the global market.,” Marais commented.

This will include broader reach across Sub-Saharan Africa, increased equipment availability and continued enhancement of its aftermarket support network to deliver fast and reliable service wherever customers operate.

“We will also continue investing in skills development and technical training to ensure our teams remain at the forefront of industry expertise and are fully equipped to support the latest technologies from Metso,” he concludedPilot Crushtec Secures Metso EMEA Dealer Honour.

By combining deep regional understanding with global technology partnerships, Pilot Crushtec continues to support the growth and performance of Africa’s mining, quarrying and construction sectors.