Sandvik Strengthens Mining Equipment Servicing in Zambia With new Kitwe Exciter Refurbishment Facility

Sandvik Rock Processing has established an OEM-standard exciter repair and refurbishment facility in Kitwe, Zambia, reducing turnaround times, transport costs and reliance on cross-border servicing in South Africa.

Sandvik Rock Processing has expanded its mining services capabilities in Zambia with a dedicated exciter repair and refurbishment facility at its Kitwe workshop, bringing specialised original equipment manufacturer (OEM) servicing closer to local mining operations.

The new facility eliminates the need for Zambian mining customers to transport vibrating-screen exciters to South Africa for refurbishment, helping reduce equipment downtime, logistics costs and the working capital tied up in spare components.

Initially targeting Sandvik Rock Processing’s installed equipment base in Zambia, the facility offers the same technical capabilities and quality standards as the company’s established exciter service operation in Johannesburg.

Ivan Senekal, Sales Development Manager for Africa at Sandvik Rock Processing, says the local capability will improve turnaround times while allowing mining companies to reduce their inventories of spare exciters.

Shorter refurbishment cycles mean customers can free up capital previously tied up in high-value spare components while gaining greater flexibility when dealing with unexpected equipment failures.

According to Makumbi Mulenga, Service Manager Central Africa at Sandvik Rock Processing, exciters can now be transported from mines to the Kitwe facility within hours, removing some of the uncertainties associated with cross-border logistics.

Building local mining services capacity

Beyond improving equipment availability, the investment represents a broader commitment to developing Zambia’s local mining services industry.

Sandvik has trained its Zambian technicians in exciter refurbishment at its South African operations, with experienced specialists continuing to provide practical support at the Kitwe workshop.

The facility is equipped with specialised machinery and operates under the same refurbishment procedures and quality requirements as Sandvik’s Johannesburg operation. Its activities are also subject to the company’s compliance oversight, ensuring customers receive OEM-standard results locally.

Mulenga says the combination of specialised equipment, technical training and ongoing support ensures that refurbished units meet the same standards regardless of where the work is undertaken.

Precision refurbishment and full-load testing

Exciter refurbishment is a highly specialised process because vibrating-screen exciters operate under substantial dynamic forces and at high rotational speeds.

Senekal notes that units within Sandvik’s installed base in Zambia operate at approximately 800 revolutions per minute (rpm), generating forces exceeding one meganewton each.

The refurbishment process involves measuring components to micron-level precision to establish which parts need replacement. Reassembly follows a prescribed sequence and procedure, supported by dedicated equipment to ensure consistent results.

Before returning to customers, every refurbished exciter undergoes several hours of full-load testing at 100% capacity on a dedicated test bench at the Kitwe facility. This process replicates operating conditions and helps verify equipment performance before it returns to service.

Supporting equipment uptime and predictability

Namit Sachar, Business Line Manager for Parts & Service at Sandvik Mining Central Africa, says the investment forms part of the company’s broader lifecycle support strategy, which prioritises equipment availability and predictable maintenance outcomes.

He explains that mining customers consider more than repair costs when making maintenance decisions. They also need certainty around how long critical equipment will remain unavailable and how reliably repairs can be completed.

The Kitwe facility strengthens Sandvik’s existing infrastructure in Zambia through specialised workshop and testing equipment, technical skills development and continued knowledge transfer.

By bringing OEM-standard exciter refurbishment closer to mining operations, Sandvik is strengthening local service capacity while helping Zambian mines improve maintenance efficiency, manage operating costs and minimise disruptions to production.