In partnership with French government business export agency Business France, energy management and automation company Schneider Electric will exhibit at this year's Investing in African Mining Indaba, showcasing its offerings to the African mining market.

“Business France is responsible for fostering export growth by French businesses, facilitating international investment in France,” says Schneider Electric Anglophone Africa mining, minerals and metals (MMM) segment lead Johan Pretorius.

The theme of the 2024 Investing in African Mining Indaba – to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre – is ‘Embracing the power of positive disruption: A bold new future for African mining’.

In terms of positive disruption, the company intends to focus its product and service offering towards digitalisation of current installations and assist in the sustainability goals of the market. In this way, Schneider Electric ensures customer installations are safe, reliable and meet requisite high standards.

He points out that Schneider Electric will also drive discussions with key decision- makers and role-players in the market on elements that drive the new approach of the company, with a focus on green solutions for its MMM clients.

“For Schneider Electric, it is important to become a key adviser in its green MMM approach to sustainable mining and help grow clients in Africa.”

He adds that the company aims to become a key roleplayer not only in Africa, but also globally, assisting and considering the total expenditure approach, from pit to port, in clients’ operations.

Schneider Electric has mobilised to support the MMM industry to meet the demand for critical minerals and metals in the transition to using cleaner energy efficiently.

“The company’s EcoStruxure platform for a green MMM architecture builds a sustainable, efficient and responsible MMM business through digitally integrated power and process,” explains Pretorius.

Together with industrial software company AVEVA, wholly owned by Schneider Electric, EcoStruxure creates integrated digital environments and redefines the energy journey to optimise production and value chain performance throughout an entire project life cycle.

Schneider Electric will create awareness at the Indaba of the importance of an integrated, digitalised and sustainable approach to the MMM segment, which can result in a reduction in expenditure of up to 20%.