Drive technology company SEW-EURODRIVE used the ICPC Coal Africa 2025 conference to highlight its industrial gear solutions designed specifically for the tough demands of the coal mining industry.

According to SEW-EURODRIVE national sales and marketing manager Jonathan McKey, the company’s stand showcased a range of drive and transmission systems engineered for reliability and performance in both surface and underground environments. “We’re proud to partner with Coal Africa and showcase our energy-efficient drive technology, as well as our fast power pack solutions that ensure quicker turnaround times and reduced downtime for our clients,” he said.

With nearly two decades of mining experience in Southern Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE has refined its products to withstand the high dust, vibration, and mechanical stress typical of coal operations. McKey noted that this has involved continuous improvements in critical ratios, sealing and breather solutions, and overall component design to ensure long-lasting performance and ease of installation in challenging environments.

He emphasised that digitalisation and predictive maintenance are becoming central to modern mining operations. SEW-EURODRIVE’s modular approach allows for greater flexibility in speed control and system configuration, while its DriveRadar technology provides advanced monitoring and diagnostics for smarter material handling. “We’re bringing DriveRadar to South Africa more aggressively next year,” McKey explained. “It’s part of our commitment to supporting automation and helping our clients implement predictive maintenance and data-driven decision-making.”

Service and uptime remain top priorities for the company. SEW-EURODRIVE has expanded its local stockholding to around R500-million, including a large inventory of motors — some rated up to 500 kW — and gear units tailored for mining applications. This local presence, supported by its network of after-sales and service teams, helps minimise downtime and ensure rapid response when equipment needs attention.

Further investment is under way with the company’s Phase 2 expansion project, due to launch next year. This facility will strengthen SEW-EURODRIVE’s after-sales, maintenance and automation capabilities, while enabling new service offerings such as maintenance contracts and service-level agreements.

“The coal sector faces immense pressure to perform and deliver reliable power,” McKey said. “At SEW-EURODRIVE, we’re committed to being a long-term partner to our mining customers, investing in South Africa, integrating into their businesses and ensuring that they can depend on us to keep their operations moving.”