Ukwazi

What Ukwazi does

Ukwazi Mining (Pty) Ltd is a South African multi-disciplinary mining advisory and operations services company founded in 2004 and headquartered in Centurion, with additional offices in Kathu and Emalahleni (South Africa) and a regional office in Dubai, UAE (Ukwazi International Mining Advisory FZCO). The company serves both large multinational mining houses and junior miners across sub-Saharan Africa (including Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, DRC, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Guinea), Europe, Central Asia (the Stans), and the Middle East, delivering work across the mining value chain from feasibility through implementation and closure.

Its core offering is organized into permanent cross-functional Superteams that deliver integrated mining engineering, infrastructure engineering, ESG and sustainable mining, bankable feasibility studies, independent technical reports (SAMREC, JORC, NI 43-101), due diligence, mine valuation, operational technical services, and budget planning. Underlying the services are proprietary in-house software tools for strip-mine techno-economic design and dragline performance evaluation, combined with 3D and BIM techniques. Two wholly-owned subsidiaries extend the platform: TseboKgadi provides contract mining and civil works up to 300,000 BCM per month, and Sidus Consulting (acquired February 2022) provides financial modelling and transaction advisory.

Ukwazi generates revenue through professional services fees (quote-based project engagements), equipment sales and after-sales support as the exclusive sub-Saharan Africa distributor of K-Tec ADT pull scrapers, and contract mining through TseboKgadi. Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven, anchored by named relationships with Glencore, Thungela, Tharisa Minerals, Wesizwe Platinum, Deep-South Resources, and Shumba Energy, complemented by thought-leadership content on Mining Weekly, SAIMM publications, and conferences such as DRC Mining Week. The company is founder-led (Managing Director Jaco Lotheringen, Director Spencer Eckstein), privately held with no disclosed external investors, and operates as a Level 2 BBBEE contributor in South Africa.

Name

Ukwazi

Legal name

Ukwazi Mining (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://ukwazi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ukwazi is a South African multi-disciplinary mining advisory and operations services firm, founded 2004, serving multinational mining houses and junior miners across sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East with feasibility, engineering, ESG, transaction advisory, and contract mining services, plus exclusive K-Tec equipment distribution in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mining Advisory Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114), Support Activities for Mining (213), Support Activities for Coal Mining (213113), Mining Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333131)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Metal Mining (1000)

akta.pro primary industry

Mine Operations Contracting (Open-Pit & Underground Development, Production, Load/Haul) (IMAKAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mine Site Support Services (Camp/Catering, Security, Fuel & Lubricants, Water, Waste, Roads) (IMAKAKAE), Environmental, Permitting & Closure Services (EIA, Compliance Monitoring, Reclamation Execution) (IMAKAKAJ), Mine Infrastructure & Utilities EPC (Power, Water, Comms, Camps, Roads, Airstrips) (IMAKAOAB), Mineral Processing Plant Design & EPCM (Flowsheet Development, Piloting & Scale-up) (IMAKALAK)

Keywords

• Mining advisory services
• Feasibility studies mining
• Mining engineering consulting
• Sustainable mining solutions
• Mining transaction advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Centurion

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Mining Advisory Services: Project management and controls, mining engineering, infrastructure engineering, ESG solutions, bespoke technical studies, public reports, financial valuations and project implementation services. Core professional services revenue stream.
2. Contract Mining Services: Niched contract mining and civil works services through Tsebokgadi, their women in mining initiative. Provides rehabilitation projects, small-to-medium scale surface mining up to 300,000 BCM per month, haul road maintenance, and stockpile management.
3. Equipment Distribution: Exclusive distributor of K-Tec ADT pull scrapers for sub-Saharan Africa. Revenue from equipment sales, parts, and after-sales support services.
4. Transaction Advisory: Independent technical reports, stock exchange compliance, regulatory submissions, due diligence studies, mine valuation reports. Expanded through acquisition of Sidus Consulting in 2022.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ukwazi is a multi-disciplinary mining advisory and operations services company that delivers integrated mining projects through project management and controls, mining engineering, infrastructure engineering, ESG solutions, bespoke technical studies, public reports, financial valuations, and project implementation. It also provides contract mining services through TseboKgadi and distributes K-Tec ADT pull scrapers exclusively across sub-Saharan Africa.

Product overview

Ukwazi is a multi-disciplinary mining advisory and operations service provider offering an integrated suite of services across the mining value chain. The core offering centers on Mining Advisory Services, complemented by specialized sub-services including Agricultural Minerals & Coal Services, Engineering Infrastructure Services, Bankable Feasibility Studies, Transaction Advisory & Corporate Services (encompassing Independent Technical Reports, Due Diligence Studies, Mine Valuation Reports), Sustainable Mining Practice, and Site Services (including Operational Technical Services and Mining Budget Planning). The company distributes K-Tec ADT Pull Scrapers equipment and operates TseboKgadi, a contract mining services subsidiary focused on women in mining. The portfolio operates through specialized Superteams organized by mining methods and commodities, delivering services from mine identification through implementation and closure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TseboKgadi: Black female-led mining services company specialising in contract mining related activities, including rehabilitation projects, small-to-medium scale surface mining, haul road maintenance, and stockpiles maintenance. TseboKgadi means 'women with knowledge' in Sotho.

Products and services

• Mining Advisory Services Comprehensive multi-disciplinary mining advisory covering project management and controls, mining engineering, ESG solutions, bespoke technical studies, public reports, financial valuations, and project implementation for mining clients.
• Agricultural Minerals & Coal Services Specialist mining services for potash, phosphates, coal, salt, metallurgical coal, anthracite and similar mineralised materials, including draglines, strip mining, and soft rock underground operations.
• Engineering Infrastructure Services Comprehensive engineering infrastructure services including surface and underground infrastructure design, surface water management and design, mining infrastructure implementation, and Heavy Mining Equipment (HME) studies.
• Independent Technical Reports Code-compliant independent technical reports including Competent Persons Reports (CPRs), Mineral Experts Reports (MERs), Preliminary Economic Assessments (PEAs), and Independent Technical Reports (ITRs) prepared under SAMREC, JORC, and NI 43-101 for public reporting and listing purposes.
• Due Diligence Studies Multi-disciplinary due diligence investigations spanning geology, mining, plant operations, infrastructure, ESG, permitting, and financial performance across the mining value chain for acquisitions and financings.
• Mine Valuation Reports Independent mine valuation services for acquisitions, financing, and corporate reporting, providing transparency and reliability for stakeholders in mining transactions.
• Sustainable Mining Practice Sustainable mining solutions encompassing mine closure planning, water management, and ESG permitting and authorisation services for environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.
• Bankable Feasibility Studies Staged feasibility studies (concept, pre-feasibility, and definitive) culminating in bankable feasibility studies to secure funding and implementation approvals for mining projects.
• Mining Budget Planning Detailed mining budget plan development that transforms strategic mine plans into actionable frameworks aligned with strategic objectives.
• Operational Technical Services On-site operational technical services including short-term mine planning, operational strategy, scheduling, surveying, reconciliation, and performance measurement.
• TseboKgadi Contract Mining Services Contract mining services through a black female-led mining services company (TseboKgadi, meaning 'women with knowledge' in Sotho), specialising in rehabilitation projects, small-to-medium scale surface mining up to 300,000 BCM per month, haul road maintenance, and stockpile management.
• K-Tec ADT Pull Scrapers (Equipment Distribution) Exclusive distribution of K-Tec ADT pull scrapers, direct mount scrapers, train scrapers, ejector bodies, land levelers, and earthmoving accessories across sub-Saharan Africa, including equipment sales, parts, and after-sales support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 50% savings on material movement costs with K-Tec ADT pull scrapers compared to conventional truck and shovel operations
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• K-Tec EarthmoverscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 June 2024Exclusive distribution partnership making Ukwazi the sole distributor of K-Tec's innovative ADT pull scrapers in sub-Saharan Africa. K-Tec supplies earthmoving scrapers and Ukwazi provides sales, support, maintenance and service. The partnership aims to reduce cost of dry mining methods and replace problematic wet mining applications with equipment offering up to 50% cost savings on material movement.
• Sidus ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2022Acquisition of financial modelling consultancy Sidus Consulting, establishing Ukwazi Transaction Advisory. Transaction expanded Ukwazi's existing solutions portfolio and integrated mining offering for clients across Africa, Middle East and Europe, adding financial modelling and transaction advisory capabilities.
• TseboKgadicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTseboKgadi (meaning 'women with knowledge' in Sotho) is a black female-led mining services company specializing in contract mining. Partnership with Ukwazi provides access to specialized mining, engineering and environmental skills. Headquartered in Mpumalanga with office in Northern Cape, executing rehabilitation projects, surface mining up to 300,000 BCM per month, haul road and stockpile maintenance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Golder Associates (now WSP): Global engineering consultancy with deep mining heritage, providing multi-disciplinary mining and infrastructure advisory. Comparable to Ukwazi's integrated mining engineering offering but at materially larger global scale.
• Wood Group: Global engineering and consulting major with a mining and metals practice covering feasibility, design, and project delivery. Overlaps with Ukwazi's engineering infrastructure and project implementation services at a much larger scale.
• Hatch: Global engineering, project management, and consulting firm with a dedicated mining practice. Comparable in delivering bankable feasibility studies and integrated mining infrastructure projects, with substantially broader international reach.
• DMT Group: International mining and engineering consultancy providing exploration, feasibility, and infrastructure services. Comparable to Ukwazi's mine infrastructure and engineering offering, with broader European and international footprint.

Direct peers

• SRK Consulting: Global independent mining consultancy providing feasibility studies, technical reports, and mine design across all major commodities. Directly comparable to Ukwazi as a multi-disciplinary specialist mining advisory firm operating in Africa.
• The MSA Group: South African geological, mining, and environmental consultancy providing independent technical reports and feasibility work. Directly comparable specialist mining advisory serving African mining houses and juniors.
• Minxcon: South African-based mineral and mining advisory providing Competent Persons Reports, valuations, and feasibility studies. Closely comparable regional peer serving similar JSE-listed and African mining clients.
• Snowden Optiro: Mining advisory firm specialising in resource geology, mine planning, and feasibility studies. Comparable peer in the mining engineering and technical reporting segment that serves junior miners and mid-tier producers.
• CSA Global (now ERM): Mining consultancy specialising in geology, resource estimation, and Competent Persons Reports for public listings. Highly comparable to Ukwazi's transaction advisory and independent technical reports offering for junior and mid-tier miners.
• RPM Global: Mining advisory and software firm providing consulting, mine planning, and asset management services to miners globally. Comparable to Ukwazi's mining engineering, planning, and operational advisory offering, with proprietary software (RPM) paralleling Ukwazi's proprietary tools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ukwazi-mining
• Xx.com/UkwaziM
• Facebookfacebook.com/UkwaziMining

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ukwazi