South Africa’s platinum mining industry is entering another phase of technological transformation, with Sibanye-Stillwater moving forward with the mechanisation of its Siphumelele shaft in Rustenburg and placing a major underground equipment order with Epiroc.
The development, announced by Epiroc on 30 September 2026, highlights the growing role of specialised machinery in improving safety, productivity and the long-term economics of underground platinum mining.
Epiroc confirmed that it had secured a large order from Sibanye-Stillwater for underground mining equipment to be deployed at the Siphumelele shaft within the company’s Rustenburg platinum group metals (PGM) operations. The equipment includes low-profile loaders and utility vehicles specifically designed for narrow-vein mining conditions. Epiroc
Mechanisation becomes a strategic priority
The investment is significant because Siphumelele is part of a major PGM operation where mining conditions require specialised equipment capable of operating in constrained underground environments.
According to Epiroc, Sibanye-Stillwater is using the equipment as part of an ongoing project to mechanise the Siphumelele operation. The objective is to improve safety and productivity while supporting the continued development of the mine.
The order includes Epiroc’s LHD 5.5 LP low-profile loader, UV42 utility vehicles and a range of interchangeable UV42 cassettes. These vehicles are designed to perform a variety of underground support and logistical functions, including transporting personnel, tools and other materials. Epiroc
The equipment is particularly relevant to South African underground mining, where narrow ore bodies, complex geological conditions and ageing infrastructure can make conventional mining methods challenging.
For mining companies, mechanisation can provide an opportunity to improve consistency in underground operations while reducing the dependence on certain manual activities.
Extending the life of existing ore reserves
Sibanye-Stillwater’s Southern Africa operations COO Richard Cox described the investment as part of the company’s strategy to extend mine life and unlock additional value from existing ore reserves.
That makes the project important beyond the equipment purchase itself.
Rather than relying exclusively on new mining developments, mining companies are increasingly examining how existing operations can be made more productive and economically sustainable through technology, infrastructure upgrades and improved operational practices.
Sibanye-Stillwater’s Rustenburg operation is located on the Western Limb of the Bushveld Complex in the North West province. The company’s own operational information lists Siphumelele’s life of mine to 2038. Sibanye Stillwater
The investment therefore forms part of a longer-term strategy around maintaining production capacity from established South African PGM assets.
Technology and safety move closer together
One of the most important aspects of the development is the connection between mechanisation and mine safety.
Mining equipment manufacturers are increasingly developing machinery specifically for challenging underground environments, with automation, remote operation, digital monitoring and specialised vehicle designs becoming increasingly important.
In the Siphumelele case, Epiroc says its low-profile fleet is suited to the mine’s conditions and is intended to support safe and efficient execution of the project. Epiroc
This illustrates how mining technology is moving beyond simply increasing production.
Equipment is increasingly expected to contribute simultaneously to productivity, worker safety, operational visibility and asset utilisation.
The UV42 utility vehicle included in the order also demonstrates this shift. Rather than being designed for only one function, the vehicle can accommodate interchangeable cassettes, allowing it to perform different transportation and support tasks underground.
A broader opportunity for mining technology suppliers
The development also points to opportunities for equipment manufacturers and technology companies serving South Africa’s mining industry.
The country’s large established mining base means there is significant potential for suppliers of underground machinery, automation, digital systems, maintenance services, safety technology and electrification solutions.
Epiroc itself has highlighted automation, digitalisation and electrification as important parts of its mining and infrastructure technology offering.
The company’s South African equipment portfolio also has a direct connection to local mining technology development through its acquisition of AARD Mining Equipment, which has strengthened Epiroc’s low-profile underground equipment capabilities. Epiroc
Delivery begins in late 2026
Epiroc says delivery of the equipment will begin during the fourth quarter of 2026. Epiroc
For South Africa’s mining supply chain, this creates potential activity across equipment delivery, maintenance, technical support, training and underground services.
It also illustrates a wider trend: the future of mature mining operations may increasingly depend on how effectively existing assets can be modernised.
As South Africa remains one of the world’s major PGM-producing regions, investments that extend mine life while improving productivity and safety could have implications beyond individual shafts.
What the development means for South Africa
The Siphumelele investment demonstrates that mechanisation is becoming an increasingly important component of the country’s mining strategy.
For mining companies, the focus is on extracting value from existing resources while managing safety and operating costs. For equipment manufacturers, the opportunity lies in providing specialised machinery capable of addressing South Africa’s unique underground conditions.
For the broader mining industry, the development provides another example of how technology is becoming embedded in the future of South African resource extraction.
The next stage will be to assess how effectively the new equipment contributes to productivity and operational performance as mechanisation expands at Siphumelele.
