Media Release 

February 2025

Powering the Future: Mafika Engineering Driving Transition in Mining Fleets

The global mining industry is undergoing a seismic shift toward sustainability, driven by climate change imperatives, ESG commitments, and investor demand for responsible resource extraction. No longer just a regulatory requirement, sustainability has become a strategic priority, reshaping how mining companies operate and invest in the future. At the heart of this transformation is Mafika Engineering, a standout South African success story and global leader in Zero-Hour diesel engine remanufacturing and hydrogen innovation. The company’s pioneering next-generation solutions have been catalysed and amplified through a partnership with RMB Ventures.

Amina Pahad, a senior transactor at RMB Ventures, says, “Over the past 20 years, Mafika Engineering has established a reputation as a global leader in high horsepower engine rebuilds, supporting its customers in developing sustainable mining fleet solutions based on circular economy principles. This approach continues to redefine how mining fleets drive transition without compromising operational efficiency.”

Unlike traditional engine replacement cycles, which contribute to excessive carbon emissions, raw material extraction, and high capital costs, Mafika’s diesel engine remanufacturing process offers a sustainable alternative. By restoring high-horsepower (HHP) mining and off-highway engines to their original specifications, Mafika’s approach reduces energy consumption by 50% compared to manufacturing new engines, aligning with global transition objectives and South Africa’s Green Transport Strategy. What makes Mafika’s model even more compelling is its OEM-agnostic expertise, enabling it to rebuild engines from all leading mining and automotive OEMs, ensuring that mining operators have cost-effective, high-performance alternatives to buying new equipment.

Graydon Epstein, Director of Mafika Engineering says, “Our Zero-Hour engine rebuilds are a new frontier of disruption in the mining equipment industry. In addition to dramatically reducing costs, our solution maximises asset longevity, while reducing environmental impact.”

Industry intelligence suggests that rebuilding certain high-horsepower engine models can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months, resulting in prolonged equipment downtime and significant operational inefficiencies. Mafika Engineering has redefined industry standards, becoming the first company in the world capable of executing large-scale engine rebuilds in just 2 to 4 weeks. This game-changing turnaround is driven by Mafika’s advanced engineering capabilities, stringent quality control processes, and an established track record of delivering Zero-Hour remanufactured engines with unparalleled reliability. By drastically reducing downtime, Mafika ensures that mining operations maintain peak fleet availability, enhance cost efficiency, and sustain uninterrupted performance in even the most demanding conditions.

RMB Ventures: structuring sustainable finance supporting mining’s Just Transition

In 2023, RMB Ventures acquired a 45% stake in Mafika Engineering to accelerate its growth and impact in sustainable mining fleet solutions. While the technological shift toward hydrogen and sustainable remanufacturing is underway, financing remains a major challenge for mining operators. Decarbonisation and fleet maintenance require capital investment, and the industry needs innovative financial solutions that enable the transition without creating cash flow constraints. Not only was RMB Ventures able to partner Mafika Engineering to meet growth objectives, RMB Ventures was able to connect Mafika to RMB’s Sustainable Finance team to enable Mafika’s clients with solutions for financing the engine rebuilds.

RMB’s Sustainable Finance and ESG advisory team are working closely with Mafika to develop tailored financial instruments that make the transition both practical and profitable.

According to Nigel Beck, Head of RMB’s Sustainable Finance and ESG Advisory team, the collaboration with Mafika represents a model for the future of transition finance in the mining industry.

“Decarbonisation in mining isn’t just about cutting emissions—it’s about structuring financial solutions that enable companies to take action today while balancing long-term investment goals. Mafika is a perfect example of how sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand, and we’re excited to be part of this journey.”

Looking forward: What’s next for Mafika & RMB?

Epstein says, “Our relationship with RMB Ventures is more than an investment—it’s a strategic alliance to drive a real world transition in mining. It has had a powerful impact on the expansion of the business. While we were on a gradual expansion path, their insight into our strategy and the strength of their network has empowered us to grow into different regions globally. Most recently, this includes the secure and meaningful setup of operations in the Middle East.”

Looking ahead, the team will work together to drive Mafika’s leadership in the next frontier of sustainable mining: hydrogen adoption. In a landmark collaboration with Bosch Germany, Mafika is advancing the Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE) retrofit solution, enabling existing diesel-powered mining equipment to operate with hydrogen substitution ranging from 35% to 85% in the initial phase. The ultimate goal is to develop a mono-fuel solution capable of running on 100% hydrogen, eliminating diesel dependency entirely. As part of this strategy, the team continues to explore hydrogen retrofit possibilities and partnerships. Mafika is also exploring IoT-driven diagnostics, AI-based predictive maintenance, and real-time emissions monitoring to further optimise fleet performance and accelerate the industry’s transition to cleaner energy solutions.

Pahad concludes, “The collaboration between Mafika Engineering and RMB Ventures signals an acceleration in the evolution of sustainable mining fleets. By combining best in class engine rebuild capabilities, circular economy principles, and innovative financing, we are illustrating that sustainability doesn’t have to be a trade-off—it can be a competitive advantage.”

As mining companies navigate the complex path toward net-zero emissions, the Mafika-RMB partnership offers a practical, scalable, and financially viable roadmap for the future of responsible resource extraction.land sc

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