Signalling Africa’s growing appetite for state-of-the-art mining technology, Sandvik Rock Processing is delivering the first Sandvik CH662 cone crushers to a platinum mining project in South Africa’s Limpopo province.

The CH662 represents the latest evolution of Sandvik’s long-established CH660 platform, introducing several mechanical and digital upgrades that improve throughput, reliability and maintenance efficiency. PC Kruger, Business Line Manager Crushing at Sandvik Rock Processing, says mining companies across the continent are increasingly embracing electrification, remote monitoring and automation technologies.

“This is creating an environment where advanced crushing systems such as the CH662 are becoming more attractive,” Kruger says. “This milestone order challenges longstanding perceptions that African mining operations are slow to adopt new technologies.”

These two Sandvik CH662 units will be deployed in a secondary crushing application as part of an underground mining expansion project. Factory acceptance testing was completed in Sweden during the second quarter of 2026 before the units were shipped to South Africa. The order for the two CH662 crushers was placed through a major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, with one crusher designated as the duty unit and the second as a standby machine - underscoring the critical role crushing equipment plays in modern mineral processing plants.

Yashik Anand, Capital Sales Engineer for Sandvik Rock Processing’s static crushing business, explains that the project demonstrates how customers are now prioritising operational efficiency, reliability and digital integration when selecting crushing equipment. Anand highlights that the redesigned top shell and main shaft contribute substantially to the crusher’s durability and operational stability.

“The upgraded top shell provides improved material distribution and greater structural strength, while the new main shaft enhances reliability under high-capacity conditions,” he says. “The spider bushing has also been re-engineered to improve wear resistance and extend service life.”

Another important design improvement is the elimination of backing compound which saves time during liner changes. Traditional cone crusher linings often require extended curing periods before the machine can return to operation, but the CH662’s steel-to-steel design removes this delay.

“By removing the backing compound from the design, we can save customers up to 24 hours of waiting time during liner replacement procedures,” he says.

Automation and digital integration form another key advance in the Sandvik CH662 upgrade package. The crusher incorporates Sandvik’s new ACS-c 5 ASRi control system, which combines the functionality of previous crusher control platforms into a more advanced and user-friendly automation package. Users benefit from automated setting regulation, enhanced monitoring functionality and integration with digital services platforms for real-time performance analysis and remote diagnostics.

“Especially for mining operations that are located far from major service centres, these capabilities can deliver substantial operational advantages,” Anand says. “Proactive monitoring of the crusher allows operators to identify issues earlier and prevent unplanned stoppages.”

Kruger points out that remote monitoring capabilities also support the efficiency of Sandvik Rock Processing’s field service technicians who often travel several hours to customers’ sites.

“We can remotely support the machine and start fault-finding immediately when there is an issue,” he explains. “By the time a technician reaches site, we already have a good understanding of what needs to be repaired or replaced.”

This order also highlights the growing importance of technical collaboration between OEMs and EPC contractors during plant design and equipment selection, Anand says. Sandvik’s PlantDesigner simulation software allowed multiple process simulations and flowsheet iterations to optimise the crushing circuit for the customer’s metallurgical requirements.

Looking ahead, Kruger says the Sandvik CH662 is well positioned for broader adoption across Africa’s mining and aggregates sectors, particularly within the continent’s mid-range processing operations.

“Mining operations in Africa generally do not require the ultra-large crushing systems that are more common in regions like South America,” he notes. “The CH662 fits well into the African market’s production range of 400 to 1000 t/h.”

Sandvik’s upgrade strategy includes retrofit, rebuild and fully integrated smart crusher options, all supported by its three-year standard warranty.