Multidisciplinary project engineering house Red Metal Mining (RMM) will showcase a model of its flagship product, the underground cast resin mini substation, as well as its cast resin dry-type transformer which is housed in the substation, at this year’s Electra Mining Africa trade show.

The underground mini substation is unique in its compact design, allowing it to fit into a man winder cage. This means it can simply be lowered down inside the shaft cage instead of the mine having to first remove the shaft cage and then lowering the mini substation underground.

The mini substation unit that will be showcased at the trade show will be displayed with transparent roof panels so that visitors can see inside the machine.

While the company has largely served the mining sector with underground mini substations, their use is not limited to this industry. Both mini substations and cast resin transformers are used in various industries, including power generation and distribution, renewable energy, data centres and industrial sectors, among others.

RMM’s mini substation housing is manufactured locally. The engineering team continually improves the design to make it more efficient and cost effective as technology evolves or as the application changes. Client-specific requirements are also possible.

Meanwhile, the company’s cast resin transformers are developed and manufactured in Germany and undergo thorough testing before being exported to South Africa. RMM is also the sole agent for Germany-based cast resin transformer manufacturer SGB Regensburg.

The cast resin dry-type transformer is non-hazardous with an F1 fire class, meaning it is flame-retardant and self-extinguishing. It is also ecologically friendly with up to 90% of its materials being recyclable.

The company recently supplied a project in Zambia with a shipment of underground cast resin mini substations for use on a copper mine. It also replaced various oil-type transformers with its cast resin dry-type transformers at a coal mine operation at one of South Africa’s largest diversified mining groups. The company serves the full sub-Saharan Africa market.

RMM was established in 2006 and has seen significant growth since then, especially over the last three years. The company has grown from three employees to a team of ten, and continues to expand.

OS Stand P20a