In a landmark transaction that underscores the accelerating modernization of the African mining sector, Chinese mining contractor JCHX Mining Management Co., Ltd. (JCHX) has placed a major underground mining equipment fleet order with Swedish engineering group Sandvik AB. Valued at approximately SEK 650 million (approximately US$60 million), the 45-unit fleet order was booked in the second quarter of 2026. The equipment is destined for MMG Limited’s (MMG) high-grade Khoemacau Copper Mine (KCM) in Botswana, specifically to support underground mining operations at the pivotal Zone 5 orebody.
This order marks a significant milestone in a rapidly deepening strategic alliance between Sandvik and JCHX, with total orders placed by the Chinese contractor exceeding SEK 1 billion since July 2025 . The deployment of these highly automated, intelligent machines represents a crucial operational step in MMG’s ambitious US$900 million expansion project, which aims to more than double Khoemacau’s production capacity to 130,000 tonnes of copper and over 4 million ounces of silver in copper concentrate per annum by 2028.
The Kalahari Copper Belt and MMG’s US$900 Million Expansion Strategy.
The Khoemacau Copper Mine is situated in the northwest district of Botswana within the Kalahari Copper Belt, a premier, rapidly emerging sediment-hosted copper-silver province that stretches northeast from northern Namibia. Hosting one of the largest copper sedimentary systems in the world outside of the Central African Copperbelt, KCM represents a highly strategic asset in MMG’s portfolio. MMG, which acquired the mine in March 2024, is leveraging Khoemacau as a cornerstone of its long-term strategy to enter the ranks of the world’s top ten copper producers, supporting the global transition toward electrification, electric vehicles (EVs), and renewable energy.
Currently, Khoemacau operates at an annual capacity of approximately 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate, utilizing the existing 3.65 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) Boseto processing plant. However, following the completion of a comprehensive feasibility study, the MMG Board of Directors approved a massive US$900 million expansion project in December 2025.
The expansion strategy is structured in two distinct operational phases:
•Near-Term Optimization: Accessing higher-grade mining fronts and increasing operational flexibility at the core Zone 5 underground mine to ramp up production to a steady 60,000 tonnes per annum over the next two years.
•The 130ktpa Expansion Project: Extending underground operations to the adjacent Zone 5 North, Mango, and Zeta North-East deposits, and constructing a brand-new 4.5 Mtpa processing plant. This will bring KCM’s total milling capacity to over 8.0 Mtpa, driving output to 130,000 tonnes of copper and over 4 million ounces of silver annually. First concentrate from the expansion is firmly scheduled for the first half of 2028.
Importantly, this massive scale-up is projected to significantly improve KCM’s cost competitiveness. The life-of-mine average C1 cash cost is expected to drop below US$1.60 per pound, a substantial reduction from the actual C1 cost of US$2.05 per pound recorded in mid-2025. Looking further ahead, MMG has already identified potential to scale Khoemacau to 200,000 tonnes per annum, with a pre-feasibility study for this next phase scheduled to commence in 2026.
JCHX’s Strategic Footprint in Botswana and Global Contracting
To execute the demanding underground mining works required for this expansion, MMG awarded a prestigious five-year, US$805 million contract to JCHX in June 2025, with operations commencing on July 1 of that year. JCHX took over the underground mining scope from Perenti’s subsidiary, Barminco.
For JCHX—a publicly listed contractor on the Shanghai Stock Exchange with nearly 30 years of experience and a global workforce of over 16,800 employees (including 8,000 in Africa)—the Khoemacau contract represents its inaugural mining project in Botswana. The timing is highly symbolic, aligning with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Botswana in 2025.
Beyond its contracting business, JCHX is aggressively expanding its footprint as a mine owner and developer in its own right, with a global portfolio that includes the Lonshi and Dikulushi copper mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Lubambe Copper Mine in Zambia, and the Alacran copper-gold-silver project in Colombia. In Africa, JCHX is widely recognized as one of the most successful underground contractors, managing high-profile operations such as Ivanhoe Mines’ world-class Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi mines in the DRC, as well as several major projects for the Jinchuan Group and Wanbao Mining .
The 45-Unit Fleet: Advanced Underground Mining Technology
To meet the rigorous safety and productivity standards demanded by MMG at Khoemacau’s Zone 5, JCHX has selected a highly specialized, 45-unit suite of Sandvik underground mining machinery. Deliveries of the equipment are scheduled to begin in August 2026 and will conclude in April 2030.
The fleet comprises a balanced mix of loading, hauling, drilling, raiseboring, and utility support machinery designed to maximize operational efficiency:
| Equipment Category | Model / Designation | Primary Operational Role & Key Specifications |
| Underground Loaders | Toro® LH621i | 21-tonne payload intelligent loader. Features a fuel-efficient 352 kW engine, fast bucket filling, and high-speed tramming. |
| Underground Haul Trucks | Toro® TH663i | 63-tonne payload articulated dump truck. Designed to work in 6×6 meter drifts, forming a “matching pair” for three-pass loading with the LH621i. |
| Development Drills | Sandvik DD422i | Highly automated face drill rig. Features advanced dual drilling controls and split feeds for precise development and tunneling. |
| Longhole Production Drills | Sandvik DL422i | Fully automated top-hammer longhole drill rig. Capable of drilling production holes up to 54 meters in depth with high precision. |
| ITH Production Drills | Sandvik DU412i | Versatile, compact In-The-Hole (ITH) longhole drill rig. Fitted with an on-board booster, capable of drilling vertical and inclined fans. |
| Raiseboring Equipment | Rhino™ 100 & RBH-24 | High-speed, mobile raiseboring rigs. The Rhino™ 100 is rubber-tyred, self-propelled, and capable of rapid setup for drilling slot holes and ventilation raises. |
| Utility Support Units | DA101 & KA811 | Specialized utility and service vehicles to support underground logistics, maintenance, and safety infrastructure . |
The selection of the Toro® LH621i loader and Toro® TH663i truck as a matched pair is a deliberate operational decision. Engineered to work seamlessly together, the 21-tonne loader is optimized to fill the 63-tonne truck in exactly three passes, minimizing loading cycle times, reducing fuel consumption, and maximizing the efficiency of the haulage ramp.
Digitalization, Automation, and the Intelligent Mine
A defining feature of the Sandvik fleet order is its heavy integration of advanced digital technologies and automation platforms, transforming Khoemacau into a benchmark for intelligent mining in Southern Africa.
The technological scope of the order includes several core digital pillars:
1. AutoMine® Underground Automation
The fleet will leverage Sandvik’s industry-leading AutoMine® platform for both the Toro® LH621i loaders and the Sandvik DL422i longhole drill rigs. For the loaders, AutoMine® enables operators to control and monitor multiple machines from the safety of a surface control room, transitioning operations from manual labor to automated, multi-lite supervision. For the longhole drills, the AutoMine® for Underground Drills package introduces a unified traffic management and tele-remote system, allowing seamless coordination of drilling and tramming operations within the same active mining zones. This maximizes equipment utilization during shift changes and blasting windows, significantly boosting overall productivity.
2. Connected Fleet and Telemetry
JCHX will have full access to My Sandvik Productivity and the Remote Monitoring Service. These cloud-based telematics solutions capture and translate vast streams of real-time operational data from the underground fleet. By monitoring machine health, engine parameters, and payload utilization, the systems enable predictive maintenance planning, reducing unplanned downtime and ensuring the fleet operates at peak efficiency.
3. Virtual Training and Workforce Development
Recognizing that advanced technology requires highly skilled operators, the order includes Sandvik’s Digital Trainer and Digital Driller™ training solutions. These state-of-the-art virtual simulators feature authentic physical controls and the exact software installed on the physical drill rigs, providing a safe, risk-free environment for operators to develop proficiency.
This training infrastructure aligns perfectly with MMG’s broader social commitment in Botswana. In collaboration with the Government of Botswana, MMG is launching a national reskilling program to address local labor shortages and build a robust pipeline of skilled, local mining professionals. Furthermore, during their strategic talks in Beijing in February 2026, Sandvik and JCHX discussed the potential establishment of a dedicated mine workers training school in Botswana to support long-term capacity building.
A Deepening Global Alliance: The Sandvik-JCHX Partnership
The SEK 650 million order is the latest outcome of a highly successful, multi-year relationship between Sandvik and JCHX [1] [2]. In August 2025, Sandvik secured an initial SEK 450 million order from JCHX for a 32-unit underground fleet at Khoemacau, which is currently completing its delivery cycle. Combined, the two contracts exceed SEK 1 billion in transaction value, highlighting the immense scale of the partnership.
This commercial momentum was formalized on February 11, 2026, when Stefan Widing, President and CEO of the Sandvik Group, visited JCHX’s headquarters in Beijing. During this high-level engagement, Wang Xiancheng (Chairman of JCHX) and Mats Eriksson (President of Sandvik Mining) signed a new global strategic cooperation agreement. The agreement outlines a shared vision for global business expansion, intelligent mining transformation, and structured equipment procurement.
Wang Xiancheng, Chairman of JCHX, emphasized the foundation of trust underpinning the relationship:
“Sandvik has consistently demonstrated its ability to deliver the right solutions for our underground mining operations, combining advanced equipment with strong technical support. Our long-standing relationship is built on trust, and Sandvik has proven time and again that it fulfils its commitments. The recent engagement from Sandvik’s senior management, including their visit to Beijing, further strengthened our confidence and added significant value to this collaboration.”
David Wang, JCHX Global Account Manager for Sandvik Mining, noted the collaborative effort required to deliver such a comprehensive package:
“At KCM Zone 5, Sandvik is delivering a total solution as a true one-stop shop, combining equipment, services and digital technologies. This success reflects strong cross-functional collaboration across our teams, a consistent and close on-site presence and continuous follow-up to ensure we deliver on our commitments. We’re also proud that our local, regional and global support model has been recognized by JCHX, along with our agility in adapting to their evolving needs as the project develops.”
The deployment of Sandvik’s state-of-the-art, 45-unit intelligent fleet at the Khoemacau Copper Mine is a powerful testament to the future of underground mining. By combining JCHX’s world-class contracting capabilities with Sandvik’s cutting-edge automation, telemetry, and raise boring technologies, the partnership is poised to successfully unlock the high-grade reserves of KCM’s Zone 5. As MMG marches toward its target of 130,000 tonnes of copper per annum by 2028, this project will not only bolster Botswana’s position as a leading global copper exporter but will also serve as a premier showcase of how digital innovation, safety, and operational scale can seamlessly converge in modern mining.