1996
Forzando Coal Plant
DRA incorporated plant operations and maintenance into the Forzando EPCM contract, a coal washing plant. This model, the first of its kind in South Africa, led to the genesis of Minopex.
Three Decades of Operational Excellence
Established by DRA 25 years ago, Minopex has developed an enviable track record through the operation of processing facilities across key commodities, including base and precious metals, gemstones, and bulk commodities. Today, it is widely recognised as a leading processing plant contract operator on the African continent, employing almost 2,000 staff. In 1996, Minopex was founded through the innovative thinking of DRA founding member Brian Dowding. Seeking to further differentiate the rapidly growing DRA business, he incorporated plant operations and maintenance into the Forzando EPCM contract. This model, the first of its kind in South Africa, led to the genesis of Minopex.
1997 – 1998
Diversification : Chrome & Iron Ore
Minopex diversified its commodity portfolio through smaller but strategically important contracts in chrome and iron ore.
1997
Dorstfontein Coal Mine
Minopex operates the Dorstfontein Coal mine, delivering sustained operational performance over a 16-year period.
1998
Kroondal Project 1
1998 marked a pivotal milestone when Minopex secured its first platinum operations contract at Kroondal 1 in the Northwest Province of South Africa. More than two decades later, Minopex continues to achieve strong production performance at this operation.
1998
Horizon Chrome
Minopex started operating Horizon Chrome from 1998 till 2010.
2000
Dwarsrivier Chrome Project
Minopex commences operations at Dwarsrivier, successfully managing the site over a three-year period.
2001
Cargo Plant Coal
Minopex begins operations at the Cargo Plant, overseeing efficient plant management over a two-year period.
2002
Holt Gold Mine
Minopex takes over operations at the Holt Gold Mine, ensuring consistent and efficient performance through to the end of 2003.
2003
Expanding Operations : Kroondal 2
Five years after Kroondal 1, Minopex secured Kroondal 2, establishing the Kroondal Complex. Kroondal 2 is the 2nd of two platinum concentrators located in the north-western part of South Africa, Rustenburg.
2005
Crossborder Project : Letseng
After nearly a decade of growth in South Africa, Minopex expanded internationally into Lesotho. The company commenced its first diamond operation for Gem Diamonds at the Letseng Diamond Mine.
2006
Marula Mine Platinum
Minopex begins operations at the Marula Platinum Mine, delivering reliable and efficient performance over a three-year period.
2006
Two Rivers Platinum Mine
Minopex begins commissioning at Two Rivers Platinum Mine through the Specialised Work and Training Team (SWAT).
2007
Elands Platinum Mine
Minopex commences operations at the Elands Platinum Mine, delivering consistent and efficient performance over a five-year period.
2008
QLS (Subsidiary)
Minopex acquired Quality Laboratory Services (QLS), enabling the company to provide analytical and assaying services across various commodities, including water and geological samples. QLS is an invaluable part of the Minopex group of companies.
2009
Pilanesberg Platinum Mine
Minopex operates the Pilanesberg Platinum Mine, delivering stable and efficient performance over a three-year period.
2010
Driving Coal Growth : Phola
Minopex began operating and maintaining the 16 Mtpa Phola Coal Plant — a standout operation due to its scale. The plant operates under a joint venture model, with each client supplying feed material from different mining sources.
2011
Regional Expansion : Tanzania & Mozambique
The New Luika Gold operations contract commenced in Tanzania, including plant operations and analytical laboratory services. QLS Tanzania was established. Minopex secured the Benga project in Tete Province, Mozambique. The Vele mine operations and maintenance contract was also added in South Africa.
2011
EnSerMo (Subsidiary)
EnSerMo was established to deliver engineering services in Mozambique's Tete Province, offering fabrication, metalwork, construction, and standalone maintenance services.
2012
Scaling Platinum Operations : Booysendal
Minopex secured the platinum operations and maintenance contract at Booysendal, extending long-standing service delivery relationships established by DRA.
2012
Smokey Hills Project
Minopex, through its SWAT team, commissioned the Smokey Hills Project, supporting full operational start-up and establishing site readiness.
2012
Entering into Botswana : Karowe
Karowe Diamond Operations commenced and Minopex Botswana was established, strengthening the company's diamond portfolio.
2013
EnSerSa (Subsidiary)
Minopex established EnSerSa, creating a dedicated standalone engineering services capability in South Africa.
2013
Kao Mine & Minas Moatize Coal
Minopex commences operations at the Kao Mine and Minas Moatize Coal, expanding its portfolio with dual-site operations in the same year.
2013
Khumani Iron Ore Mine : Phase 1
Through the SWAT Project, Minopex commissioned Phase 1 of Khumani Iron Ore Mine, delivering full start-up support and operational handover.
2015
Middle East Launch : Ad Duwayhi
Minopex expanded into the Middle East, securing the Ad Duwayhi Gold operations contract for Ma'aden Gold & Base Metals.
2015
Kibali Gold Project
Minopex commissioned the Kibali Gold Project via its SWAT Project team, delivering commissioning support and enabling successful plant ramp-up and operational stability.
2016
Major Operation : Vale Moatize
Minopex secures the Vale Moatize CHPP II project in Mozambique, constructed by DRA, marking its largest operation to date. At peak, the operation employed more than 500 people and achieved a throughput of 2.6 million tons of ore per month.
2017
SAOB Iron Ore
Minopex commences operations at SAOB Iron, further expanding its footprint in the iron ore sector.
2018
Introduction to Zinc : Gamsberg
Minopex commenced work with Vedanta Zinc International at the Gamsberg Mine in South Africa's Northern Cape. In 2021, Minopex received the Chairman's Award for Best Performing Business Partner across Vedanta's global operations.
2018
Konkola Copper Mine
Minopex commences operations at the Konkola Copper Mine, situated about 26 km from Chingola — the most northerly of KCM's Copperbelt mines.
2018
Sedibeng Iron Ore Mine
Minopex commences operations at the Sedibeng Iron Ore mine, expanding its portfolio into iron ore mining operations.
2019
Kipushi Project
Through the SWAT Project, Minopex successfully commissioned the Kipushi Project, delivering start-up support and operational readiness.
2020
UMM — Niche Contract Mining (Subsidiary)
Minopex continued executing its growth strategy through acquiring a majority share in UMM Contracting, expanding into underground mining services. Minopex also expanded into operational advisory services, operational readiness and optimisation, and supply chain management services for the mining industry.
2020
Black Rock Project
Minopex commissioned the Black Rock Project via its SWAT initiative, enabling safe and efficient start-up and contributing to early-stage production stability.
2023
Innovation Hub : Neuromine
The Neuromine Mining Insights Center was launched, driving digital innovation, data intelligence, and sustainability across operations.
2024
Water Operations
Minopex launched specialised water management and treatment services, completing a holistic service offering across the mining value chain.
2024
ArcelorMittal Liberia : Phase 2
Minopex, through its SWAT team, commissioned Phase 2 of the ArcelorMittal Liberia project, supporting start-up activities, system integration, and operational readiness for expanded iron ore production.
2025
Extending Our Reach : QLS Saudi Arabia
Regional footprint strengthened by providing tailored, localised support for our clients in the Kingdom.
Today
Our Global Operations
Operates 50+ plants, commissioned 80+, processes 5.4 Mt ROM ore/month, 15+ active operations worldwide.
