Mining Engineering Services (MES) is a large business conglomerate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is part of the prestigious Vinmart Group, which has presence across multiple countries around the world.
The DRC, the second largest country of Africa, is endowed with some of the most important mineral deposits driving mankind’s progress; huge tracts of arable land; the third largest river in the world with magnificent waterfalls; and a rapidly growing consumer base with more than 100 million people.
The country is witnessing a boom in the mining and allied sectors, unlocking great value. Ranked as the largest producer in the world for cobalt and tantalum, and the third largest copper producer in the world, the mining industry is opening up new opportunities for the allied industries.
MES has been part of the country’s growth story since 2010. The company is a major EPCM (engineering, procurement and construction management) contractor in the DRC, providing solutions like design, engineering, procurement, plant erection and commissioning, as well as power sector solutions including transmission & distribution lines, manpower services, maintenance and spares services, equipment rental etc.
MES is also involved in the manufacturing of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, cathodes and anode plates, lead ingots, electrical wires and cables etc., apart from running recycling plants for copper and lead scraps, batteries and used oil. It is a one-stop solution provider for all mining needs.
MES’ proven expertise in EPCM contracting & turnkey project management
- Hydrometallurgical plant for copper extraction
- Sulphuric acid plant
- Cobalt hydroxide dryers
- Vat leaching plant
- Sodium metabisulphite plant
- Steel plant
- Oxygen & acetylene plant
- Mineral processing plant
- Cushing plant
A major power player in the DRC
In the past decade, MES has commissioned hundreds of kilometres of transmission lines for SNEL and other mining companies.
The company has recently participated in the successful bid for the design, construction, operation and management of the 200MW Nzilo-2 Hydroelectric Power Plant concession awarded to Lualaba Power, now known as the Heshima Project.
Local manufacturing to reduce dependency on imports
Over the years, MES has diversified into multiple business segments to cater to the needs of both industrial and retail customers. The following companies have been formed under the guidance of technical supervision from MES:
- Congo Piping SAS – Started in 2021, Congo Piping SAS provides a one-stop piping solution for all kinds of applications. The state-of-the-art facility located in Lubumbashi, DRC can manufacture pipes of diameter range 16mm up to 1 000mm, apart from making various types of pipe fittings.
- Congo Cables & Transformers – CCT was established in early 2022 with an objective to manufacture varieties of electrical products in the DRC, which include copper bar, copper wire, copper pipes, aluminium conductors, transformers etc. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is located in Lubumbashi, which also houses a world-class laboratory facility.
- Anodos Africa – Anodos Africa was established in 2018 for the manufacturing of new anode plates required for copper and cobalt production. Anodos Africa is also recycling scrap batteries to produce pure lead, which is used as raw material for anode plate production. The anode scrap recycling capacity is 10 000 tonnes per year. Battery recycling capacity is 7 500MT, which can produce 5 000MT of lead billets per year.
A turnkey solution provider for waste management
With a vision to provide comprehensive waste management solution to various industries and ensure a sustainable future for the DRC, MES has started a campaign called “Mission Clean Congo”.
Various scraps generated in the mines have to be disposed of without harming the environment. Clean Congo provides expert survey and consultancy services apart from collecting scraps from mines and other industries to bring them to MES’ centralised processing units in Lubumbashi Industrial Zone.
MES recycles used oil to make medium-grade oil to be used as a replacement for diesel in the company’s factories.
The battery recycling unit recycles batteries to make 99.97% pure lead, which is used to make anode plates in MES’ adjoining facility. Cathode plates are also refurbished here, increasing their intended life cycle.
MES also has a state-of-the art plastic recycling facility to recycle waste PP and PE (scrap HDPE pipes).
Its next recycling project in the pipeline is a waste tyre recycling facility in Lualaba Province.
A rising Congo is a shining Congo
Since 2010, MES has been witness to a rising Congo and has created ample local employment opportunities. The company has also provided a conducive environment for women to join the ever-expanding organisation.
MES has always believed strongly in giving back to surrounding communities and uplifting the socio-economic conditions of those living around the company. Vinmart Foundation, the group’s non-profit arm, carries out this mission with a focus on the sectors of healthcare, education, entrepreneurship and infrastructure.
MES would like to welcome all stakeholders to join in its efforts to make the DRC a self-reliant country – embarking on a journey of growth, hope and the ever-expanding economic landscape of this rising nation.