(Based on 2025 announcements from BHP, Vale, Metso, FLSmidth, African Review, Mining Weekly)

The global mining sector is undergoing significant modernization in 2025 as major operators upgrade bulk-material handling systems to support higher ore throughput. Across South America, Australia, and Africa, mining companies are refurbishing or replacing stacker-reclaimers, shiploaders, and long-distance conveyor systems.

These machines depend on large slewing bearings and heavy-duty gear reducers to rotate massive booms and buckets during loading and reclaiming operations. Recent modernization programs prioritize automation, remote condition monitoring, and extended lubrication intervals—features that place new expectations on the performance of rotational drive systems.

In Africa, new refurbishment contracts have been awarded for aging stockyard equipment, with engineering firms focusing on improving the structural integrity of slewing platforms and upgrading older rotation drives to modern planetary or worm-gear configurations. Meanwhile, major iron-ore producers in Australia are installing higher-capacity reclaimers with redesigned slew bases to manage increased production demands.

The 2025 mining cycle is being shaped by strong commodity demand—particularly copper, iron ore, and battery minerals—which requires continuous operation of rotation-intensive material-handling equipment. As modernization accelerates, demand for durable and high-load rotary systems continues to rise.