Johannesburg, South Africa, March 2025 — When torrential rains and the collapse of the Bierspruit Dam struck South Africa’s Limpopo province earlier this year, widespread flooding brought mining operations across the region to a halt. Among the hardest hit was Valterra Platinum’s Tumela Mine, part of the Amandelbult Complex, where critical underground infrastructure and the main pump station were inundated — threatening nearly 10% of monthly metal-in-concentrate output.

Thanks to ABB’s rapid engineering response, the mine’s key electrical systems were restored in record time, enabling production to resume safely and efficiently.

Swift Action Under Pressure

As floodwaters rose, Valterra Platinum activated its emergency response procedures, successfully evacuating all personnel without injury. The next challenge was restoring power and production to one of the region’s largest platinum operations.

“When the flooding hit Tumela Mine, our first priority was the safety of our people and protecting critical infrastructure. Thanks to our emergency protocols, we were able to evacuate safely, but getting operations back online quickly was essential. ABB’s rapid response and technical expertise were instrumental in restoring production without compromising safety,”
said Isak Rudolph, Principal Engineer – Electrical and Automation at Valterra Platinum.

Fast-Tracking Recovery to Restore Operations

Within just 24 hours, ABB mobilized a cross-functional recovery team from its Longmeadow facility in Johannesburg, led by Jan van Zyl, Product Line Manager for Primary Switchgear, and Manie Jooste, Product Line Manager for Secondary Switchgear.

“We knew the stakes were high — not just for production, but for safety and operational continuity,” said van Zyl.
“Our team came together quickly to design, build, and deliver a solution that could get Tumela Mine back online fast.”

Two key substations were prioritized for immediate recovery. Both contained primary air-insulated and secondary gas-insulated switchgears that were critically damaged. With standard manufacturing timelines unfeasible, ABB and Valterra Platinum co-engineered an accelerated 10-week production and commissioning plan to replace and upgrade the damaged infrastructure.

Engineering Excellence Under Extreme Conditions

Through seamless collaboration, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) was completed ahead of schedule. ABB’s Electrification Service team was then deployed on-site to install and commission UniGear ZS1 primary air-insulated switchgear and SafePlus secondary gas-insulated switchgear systems.

These robust and reliable solutions not only restored power within the planned timeframe but also enhanced the mine’s electrical resilience and safety performance for future operations.

A New Benchmark for Emergency Engineering

The successful recovery at Tumela Mine stands as a model for crisis engineering and operational resilience. The project showcased ABB’s ability to combine speed, precision, and partnership in high-stakes environments — delivering results safely and sustainably.

“The Tumela Mine recovery is a powerful example of how ABB supports customers not just with technology, but with people who show up, solve problems, and deliver results when it matters most,”
said Oliver Morton, Project Manager, Electrification Service, ABB South Africa.
“The entire project was executed without a single safety incident or lost-time injury — reinforcing our unwavering commitment to putting safety first.”

Empowering Resilience Across the Mining Sector

This project reinforces ABB’s position as a trusted partner to the African mining industry, providing end-to-end electrification, automation, and digital solutions that strengthen operational resilience, improve energy efficiency, and reduce downtime.

By enabling rapid response and sustainable recovery, ABB continues to help customers in critical industries outperform through technology and teamwork.