The biennial Electra Mining Africa exhibition will be held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from 7–11 September 2026, bringing together suppliers, contractors, decision makers and technology providers to demonstrate equipment and systems designed to make mining safer, more efficient and less carbon intensive.
Industry context and focus
The event returns at a time when mining companies face the difficult task of increasing output of minerals needed for the energy transition while simultaneously lowering energy use and environmental impact. Exhibitors will present technologies aimed at improving productivity and reliability across the value chain.
ABB’s integrated approach on display
Among the companies exhibiting this year is ABB, which will present solutions under the theme “Powering Leaner. Driving Cleaner. Enabling the Future of Mining.” The company said it will demonstrate how combining electrification, automation and digitalisation can help mining operations boost productivity, improve energy efficiency and increase resilience.
“Mining operations are complex environments, and transformation has to work within that reality,”
said Charl Marais, Local Division Manager for ABB South Africa’s Process Automation Process Industries division. He added that the real opportunity lies in bringing these technologies together to turn operational challenges into competitive advantages.
What ABB will show
ABB’s exhibit will focus on practical products and demonstrations that span electrical hardware and control systems, reflecting the company’s message that technology integration is central to modern mining. Planned displays include:
- Compact Secondary Substation
- LeanGear Panel
- SCADA Panel
- SafePlus Air
- Digital Product Display Kiosk with relays
- Low Voltage and Medium Voltage Demo Vehicles
By showing both electrical distribution equipment and automation control hardware, ABB aims to illustrate how systems can work together from the pit to the port to improve performance and reduce waste.
Why this matters for South African mining
South African mining companies are under pressure from multiple directions: they must supply growing demand for minerals tied to renewable-energy systems and electric vehicles, while also cutting energy costs and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Suppliers and technology providers exhibiting at Electra Mining are pitching solutions that promise to lower operating costs through better energy management and to reduce downtime through improved monitoring and control.
For mine operators considering upgrades or new projects, the exhibition provides a concentrated opportunity to compare equipment, meet suppliers and see integrated systems in action. For technology vendors, the show is a platform to demonstrate how products designed for electrification and automation can be combined with digital tools to create measurable gains in efficiency and safety.
What to watch for at the show
Attendees should look for demonstrations that connect hardware and software — for example, substations or panels that feed data into SCADA systems and digital kiosks that make product specifications and maintenance data readily available. The event will also highlight how modular and mobile demo units, such as the low- and medium-voltage vehicles ABB will bring, can speed deployment and testing on site.
| Theme | Focus |
|---|---|
| Powering Leaner | Energy efficiency and reduced operational cost |
| Driving Cleaner | Lower environmental footprint through electrification |
| Enabling the Future of Mining | Integration of electrification, automation and digitalisation |
Electra Mining Africa will run for five days and, as always, will draw a mixture of large multinational suppliers and local technology providers. For South African mines grappling with rising energy costs and the need to supply minerals for the global energy transition, the exhibition is likely to shape procurement and engineering choices in the year ahead.
This coverage focuses on the technology themes and exhibits that industry delegates will see at Electra Mining Africa. Attendees are advised to review exhibitor lists and technical programmes released by the event organisers for detailed schedules and demonstrations.
