Liebherr has set its sights on expanding its footprint in the Middle East. (Image source: Liebherr)

Liebherr, a global leader in construction and mining equipment, is strengthening its presence in the Middle East and Africa with strategic investments and innovative solutions.

In an exclusive interview with Technical Review Middle East, Bernd Giebels, head of sales for Africa & the Middle East, discusses the company’s expansion plans, competitive edge, and commitment to sustainability.

Liebherr has set its sights on expanding its footprint in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries. 

"We are strengthening our presence in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries with new partners and investment into an existing network," Giebels explained. 

A notable development includes Liebherr’s growing presence in Oman. While Giebels did not disclose specific details, he confirmed that "Liebherr are continuously developing their local footprint in the Middle East with focus on some countries." By establishing a robust network of subsidiaries and dealerships, Liebherr ensures customers have access to parts, service, and expert support.

Liebherr’s competitive edge

Liebherr’s success in the Middle East and Africa can be attributed to several key factors.

"Liebherr's advantage in the Middle East and Africa regions stems from several key factors that set them apart from their competitors,” he said. 

Liebherr is renowned for its cutting-edge technology, integrating features like ECOdrive and ECOmode to improve fuel efficiency and minimise emissions. These advancements make the machinery both powerful and cost-effective while supporting sustainability.

Designed to endure extreme conditions, Liebherr machines ensure long-term reliability with minimal downtime. This durability is particularly vital for projects operating in the harsh environments of the Middle East and Africa.

The company also offers an extensive selection of equipment, from earthmoving machinery to mining solutions and cranes. This broad portfolio allows the company to serve diverse industry needs effectively.

With an established network of subsidiaries and dealerships, Liebherr ensures seamless service and readily available parts. This local support structure enables prompt maintenance and fosters lasting customer relationships.

Liebherr prioritises customer satisfaction through expert maintenance, specialised training programmes, and responsive service, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted industry partner. 

“This commitment to customer satisfaction helps us build long-term partnerships that last. These factors collectively give us a competitive edge in the Middle East and Africa, making us a preferred choice for many companies in the region,” Giebels said.

Sustainability at the core

"Sustainability is a core focus for Liebherr, and we are actively working to help our customers in the mining and construction sector improve their environmental performance," Giebels emphasised. 

Liebherr has partnered with ENGIE to develop carbon-neutral solutions for the mining sector, aiming to eliminate fossil fuel dependency by 2030.

The company is also expanding its range of electric and hybrid equipment.

"Liebherr is expanding its range of electric and hybrid equipment, including electric excavators and trolley-equipped trucks. These machines help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels," Giebels explained. 

Moreover, Liebherr prioritises transparency in its sustainability efforts through comprehensive reporting and industry collaborations.

Looking ahead, Liebherr remains committed to innovation. "In the year ahead, Liebherr has several exciting developments and new products lined up, reflecting our commitment to innovation and sustainability.”

The INTUSI Concept for example, is an innovative, adaptive operating system that integrates IoT capabilities, enhancing the user experience and operational efficiency of Liebherr's construction and material handling machines. 

The S1 Vision is another innovative haulage concept that focuses on the core components necessary for material movement, showcasing Liebherr's forward-thinking approach to mining equipment. 

With a strategic focus on sustainability, innovation, and customer collaboration, Liebherr continues to lead the way in the Middle East. "Liebherr is the supplier of your choice. We are a brand committed to progress, leaders with years of experience behind us, committed to quality and innovation," Giebels concluded.

Badawi outlined Egypt’s progress in modernising its mining sector. (Image souce: Canva Pro)

Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, spoke at the ministerial session of African Mining Indaba, held in Cape Town from 3–6 February 2025

The session, themed “Forging a United African Mining Front: Collaboration for Sustainable Development,” brought together key leaders, including South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum, Gwede Mantashe; the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulume; and Zambia’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Development, Paul Kabuswe. The discussion was moderated by Marit Kitao, Director of the African Mineral Development Centre.

Badawi outlined Egypt’s progress in modernising its mining sector, emphasising that reforms are beginning to yield tangible results. He highlighted the country’s vast mineral potential and the government’s commitment to attracting investment through its new programme, which aligns with Egypt Vision 2030. The goal is to position Egypt as a key player in the global mining industry.

Modernisation

He also underscored Egypt’s dedication to fostering sustainable partnerships in the mining sector. He pointed to the recent finalisation of an updated Mineral Exploitation Agreement Model as evidence of efforts to enhance the investment climate. This new framework, he noted, is designed to create mutual benefits for stakeholders while supporting comprehensive modernisation strategies.

Further, Badawi detailed ongoing efforts to develop strategies for value-added mining industries and for managing the environmental and social impacts of mining activities. He also outlined the country’s strategy for maximising critical minerals to support the energy transition.

He announced plans for the Egyptian Digital Mining Platform, modeled after the Egyptian Upstream Gateway (EUG), which will offer detailed geological data and facilitate transparent investor engagement with the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority.

The Lasail mine is located in Block 11B. (Image source: MDO)

Minerals Development Oman (MDO) said it will begin the export of its first copper concentrate shipment from the Lasail mine in Sohar, marking the revival of Oman’s copper mining industry after nearly three decades.

The Lasail mine, located in Block 11B, is operated by Oman Mining Company, a subsidiary of MDO. Producing high-quality copper concentrates with purity levels between 18% and 22%, the mine is set to enhance Oman’s role as a key supplier in the international metals trade. With an annual output of approximately 500,000 tonnes of copper ore, Lasail plays a crucial role in the country’s growing mining sector.

MDO is also preparing to commence operations at the Al-Baydha mine in Liwa between 2025 and 2026. Together, Lasail and Al-Baydha hold an estimated 2.78 million tonnes of copper ore reserves. The initial phase of redevelopment will span four to five years, with ongoing exploration aimed at expanding reserves and ensuring long-term production.

Revitalising Oman’s industries

Oman is aiming to cash in on the growing demand for copper globally, which is being driven primarily by electric vehicles and advanced battery systems.

Mattar bin Salim Al Badi, CEO of MDO, said, “We are pleased to contribute to the rich history of mining in Oman, which has been a center for copper mining for over 3,000 years. With a legacy pioneered by Oman Mining Company since 1983, today we celebrate the continuation of this heritage with the export of first shipment of copper concentrates from the Lasail Mine. The sector has made remarkable strides in exploration and extraction, enabling us to reopen dormant mines and maximise their value. These advancements not only strengthen the sector’s sustainability but also amplify its economic and social contributions.

The export of the first shipment from the Lasail Mine is a testament to our ability to transform challenges into tangible opportunities for growth. We are equally enthusiastic about the forthcoming operations at the Al-Baydha Mine, which will further enhance the value of this project and support the sustainability of Oman’s mining sector.”

MDO is actively conducting exploratory studies in surrounding areas to expand copper reserves. Additionally, the company is spearheading the Mazoon Copper Project, the largest integrated copper concentrate production initiative in Oman.

A major challenge for such a project is constructing stable structures on desert sand. (Image source: Bauer)

The Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City project in Kuwait's Al Khiran region is an engineering marvel. Unlike typical artificial developments in the Gulf that rely on land reclamation, this ambitious endeavour carved approximately 300 km of canals directly into the desert and filled them with seawater.

With a projected construction timeline of 46 years divided into ten phases, the project aims to create a city for 250,000 residents. Upon completion, it will include a comprehensive infrastructure network, utilities, and luxury buildings.

A major challenge for such a project is constructing stable structures on desert sand. Dynamic soil compaction has proven to be an effective solution for stabilising loose, non-cohesive desert soils. This method increases soil density and reduces the risk of liquefaction during earthquakes, making it ideal for desert conditions, according to Steffen Fuchsa, head of duty-cycle crane division at BAUER Maschinen GmbH.

How it works

Dynamic compaction involves dropping 25-tonne steel plates, called pounders, from a duty-cycle crane to compact the soil. These plates are hoisted into the air and dropped in controlled free-fall up to 15 times, creating craters and compacting deeper soil layers through kinetic energy. The process is fully automated, with operators inputting target parameters like compaction levels and impact counts into the crane’s intelligent control system.

After the first phase of crater formation, the gaps between the craters are compacted in a second phase to ensure uniform soil stability. The craters are then backfilled and further compacted, creating a load-bearing surface ready for construction.

“In their basic design, our duty-cycle cranes are extremely stable and robust specialist foundation engineering equipment designed for high dynamic loads,” said Fuchsa. This is clear to see in the solid steel construction components of the upper and undercarriages as well as the boom. On the other hand, highly robust and powerful diesel engines are built into Bauer’s MC duty-cycle cranes. The coordinated hydraulic system transfers this power to the hoists. “This alone makes Bauer’s duty-cycle cranes the optimal equipment for dynamic soil compaction.”

^{On the project in Kuwait, six BAUER MC 96 duty-cycle cranes are currently in use.}

Dynamic soil compaction presents significant challenges for specialist foundation engineering equipment, particularly in projects of this scale and environment. In Kuwait, the sheer size of the area requiring compaction, coupled with tight project deadlines, necessitates 24/7 equipment operation. The desert environment adds further complications: extreme heat demands constant cooling to prevent equipment overheating, and pervasive sand poses a threat to machinery. To address these issues, protective measures, such as reinforced sealing and cooler guards, have been installed on the duty-cycle cranes to ensure reliable performance under harsh conditions.

“One of the major challenges when executing this method is to always roll the rope perfectly up and down into the groove of the hoist, otherwise there is excessive wear on the rope, which causes high costs for the operator,” said Fuchsa. “Bauer has developed and in some cases even patented several smart solutions for this problem which are unique features of the MC series. The active rope tightening system and the winding assistant should be mentioned here, they make the difference in daily operation compared to competing products.”