Modern Mining July 2025

SUSTAINABILITY

Weir’s Mill Circuit University ensures that technical staff skill levels are keeping up with technology.

Efficiency is cornerstone of Weir’s sustainability drive in Africa With sustainability at the heart of its global strategy, Weir’s focus on energy and water efficiency has a special relevance on the African continent, according to Chris Mortimer, Weir’s Director of Safety, Health & Environment in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). “C onsidering Africa’s ongoing challenges with limited energy and water resources, our initiatives deliver tangible benefits not only to the countries where we on the shift to renewable energy - an evolution that depends heavily on the supply of metals and minerals from its mining customers. To support this, it is essential that the extraction and processing of these resources are carried out efficiently and in line with the mining industry’s broader sustainability goals.

operate but also directly to the sites where our solutions are implemented,” says Mortimer. Weir has set ambitious sustainability targets that are being implemented across its global operations, he explains. A key commitment made in 2019 is to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, with progress closely monitored at site, region and global levels. This forms part of the company’s broader drive to support sustainable mining by reducing energy consumption, using water more efficiently and minimising waste. “In addition to advancing our own internal sustainability goals, we are equally focused on a second key aspect of our strategy - helping our customers operate more sustainably,” he says. “This involves analysing their entire flowsheet to identify where our equipment and solutions can improve processing efficiency and reduce environmental impact.” Weir recognises that the planet’s future hinges

“We are constantly evolving our solutions to reduce energy and water usage, which in turn lowers both cost and operational risk for our customers,” he says. “Some of our key innovations include high pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs) for fine grinding, which significantly cut down on energy and water consumption, as well as our energy-efficient CAVEX hydrocyclones.” He points out that energy often represents the largest single cost category for mining operations, making energy efficiency a key driver not only of sustainability but also of cost control. In parallel, Weir is committed to reducing waste through a circular economy approach which relies heavily on close collaboration with customers. As an example, he highlights how Weir’s service centres in South Africa collect

Chris Mortimer, Weir’s Director of Safety, Health & Environment in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

16  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | JULY 2025