WEG powers mining today for tomorrow at Electra Mining Africa 2026
THOUSANDS of visitors attended Electra Mining Africa 2026 to see the latest and most impressive mining technologies and services. WEG’s outdoor stand attracted experts and onlookers who inspected the equipment on show and conversed with WEG’s experts on the floor.
“The turnout has been fantastic. WEG’s electric motors, the workhorses of African mining, are front and centre, and what we are best known for. But we have the breadth of WEG’s divisions and products on display, from our locally manufactured switchgear and transformers to our customised generators, hybrid energy solutions including solar and battery storage, and demonstrations of our market-leading e-house designs,” says Rodrigo Cetenareski, Sales and Marketing Director at WEG Africa.
Attendees could get up-close to the industrial electrical technology provider’s market-leading electric motors, which included the large WEG W51 heavy-duty electric motor, the W22 Severe Duty motors, and the next generation of electric motor technology, the highly efficient W22 Prime IE5.
Latest innovations and emerging technologies included the W80 AXgen family of compact axial flux motors, demonstrating how WEG continues to push the boundaries of electric motor technology. Experts were on hand to share insights into the latest efficiency standards, in particular the transition from Minimum Energy Performance Standards in South Africa that bring electric motors to the IE3 baseline to the next level IE4 and IE5 motors.
With six manufacturing sites in the country, WEG manufactures and assembles a range of high-quality, crucial electrical components, including medium-voltage soft starters, medium-voltage switchgear, and motor control centres.
There were also demonstrations and models on display of the company’s custom and turnkey modular substations and e-houses, the next generation in substation design and portability.
WEG’s variety of energy systems included their growing solar systems division, which covers components such as panels, three-phase inverters, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
The many applications and configurations for generators stood out, with particular emphasis on customised solutions for harsh mining environments and “power plant” designs that integrate several gensets with management technologies for optimal and instant power generation.
WEG also showcased its capability to support generator maintenance with critical spares, technical assistance, and skilled technicians, even for other generator brands.
In addition, a generator engine from a major Chinese manufacturer, brought to African markets by WEG for generator OEMs and genset assemblers, was on display. WEG complements these engines with its AG10 high-performance industrial synchronous alternators and AW10 industrial, four-pole synchronous alternators.
Mini-substations, compressor and turbine maintenance, small-frame alternators, and industrial variable speed drives with advanced smart and automation features were displayed. Visitors had the opportunity to tap into how WEG approaches design, supports system integrators and OEMs, and brings projects online through its respected EC&I teams.
“Powering Africa Today for Tomorrow reflects our belief in what is possible for Africa and the role that industry can play in building that future,” says Cetenareski. “Africa’s continued growth will require investment in how we generate and transport energy, but equally important is how efficiently and reliably we use that energy to power our industries, businesses, and communities. We believe this is something we must build together.
““WEG wants to contribute through our technology, our people and our partnerships, working alongside our customers and the broader industry to strengthen Africa’s energy infrastructure, improve efficiency and support sustainable economic growth across the continent. Electra Mining gives us an opportunity not only to showcase the technologies that can support this journey, but to engage with the people and organisations who share the ambition of building a stronger Africa and a better world.”
