MEMSA

What MEMSA does

MEMSA (Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa) is a non-profit industry cluster established in 2016 under South African NPC legislation with direct support from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic). It operates as the only dedicated industry body representing South African manufacturers of mining equipment, components, software, and systems, serving a current membership of nearly 70 companies of which 75% are SMEs and over 60% are majority Black-owned, including 16 rising Black industrialists. The organization is governed by a Board chaired by Matimba Mahange with Dr. Lynette Magasa as Deputy Chairperson and is led operationally by Interim CEO Juliana Makapan; it is co-located at the Mandela Mining Precinct in Johannesburg, a Public-Private Partnership between the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Minerals Council South Africa.

MEMSA's core technology asset is MiningTARA (Technology Availability & Readiness Atlas), a centralised online directory cataloguing South African mining equipment manufacturers, their products, specifications, and technology readiness levels for a global audience of mining operators, contractors, and procurement teams. Beyond the platform, MEMSA runs annual programmes including the Innovation Awards, Manufacturing Excellence Awards, the Mind Shift Conference, provincial roadshows, and member workshops on 4IR technologies, transformation, and industrial policy. It also facilitates member access to government incentive programmes such as the Manufacturing Support Programme (MSP) offering reimbursable grants up to 20-30% capped at R10 million, the IDC-administered Downstream Steel Industry Competitiveness Fund (DSICF), and the dtic's Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme, as well as AfCFTA and Intra-Africa Trade Fair opportunities.

The business model is funded primarily through tiered annual membership fees ranging from R1,250 for companies with under R10 million in mining-attributable turnover to R117,000 for those exceeding R501 million, plus optional Industry Partner contributions capped at R5,000 per annum and event sponsorship across the Annual Golf Day, Mind Shift Conference, Innovation Awards, and provincial roadshows. Membership eligibility is restricted to entities meeting strict localisation criteria, including minimum 26% South African ownership, 65% local content, and B-BBEE Level 4 compliance. Member export markets span SADC, Central and West Africa, South America, India, Central Europe, and Australia.

Name

MEMSA

Legal name

Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa

Website

https://memsa.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MEMSA is a South African non-profit industry cluster established in 2016 representing nearly 70 mining equipment manufacturers through tiered membership, the MiningTARA online directory, government incentive linkage, awards, and technology partnerships via the Mandela Mining Precinct.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Fees: MEMSA generates revenue through tiered annual membership fees based on company turnover attributed to mining activity. Fees range from R1,250 per annum (R0-R10m turnover) to R117,000 per annum (R501m+ turnover). Industry Partner contributions up to R5,000 per annum.
2. Event Sponsorship: Optional sponsorship opportunities at MEMSA events including Annual Golf Day, Mind Shift Conference, Innovation Awards, and provincial roadshows.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

MEMSA operates a membership-based industry cluster for South African mining equipment manufacturers, delivering joint government advocacy, the MiningTARA online directory platform, technology development facilitation through SAMERDI/Mandela Mining Precinct, annual awards and conference programmes, and linkage to government incentive schemes (DSICF, EMIA, MSP). Its core deliverables are tiered membership subscriptions, the MiningTARA directory showcasing member products and technology readiness, and event-based networking and export promotion services.

Product overview

MEMSA (Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa) is an industry cluster organization, not a single product company. It provides a membership-based platform connecting South African mining equipment manufacturers through programs, resources, and the MiningTARA online directory. The core offerings include cluster membership with advocacy and networking benefits, the MiningTARA technology directory platform, annual awards programs (Innovation Awards and Manufacturing Awards), the Mind Shift Conference, and linkage to government incentive programs. MEMSA does not manufacture products itself but serves as a collaborative hub for its nearly 70 member companies in the mining equipment manufacturing sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MEMSA Membership Program Tiered membership program for South African mining equipment manufacturers and service-provider industry partners, with annual fees scaled by member turnover (R1,250 to R117,000 per annum). Benefits include joint advocacy to government, voting rights at member meetings, access to MEMSA newsletters and workshops, free or paid participation in events, technology development partnerships, marketing/export promotion support, and partner-funded project participation.
• MiningTARA Online Directory Mining Technology Availability & Readiness Atlas (MiningTARA) is a comprehensive online directory and global-facing platform where mining companies, contractors, and suppliers can connect with South African mining equipment manufacturers. The directory showcases products, specifications, technology readiness levels, customer reviews, certifications, and compliance standards. Available to MEMSA members to showcase product bundles.
• MEMSA Innovation Awards Annual awards programme recognising companies that have excelled in adoption and implementation of technology in mining equipment manufacturing, demonstrating productivity, competitiveness, and technology expertise for safer and more sustainable mining.
• MEMSA Manufacturing Awards Annual awards programme supported by SAMERDI that recognises excellence in the manufacturing of equipment for the mining sector, celebrating the dedication and accomplishments of mining equipment manufacturers.
• MEMSA Mind Shift Conference Annual conference bringing together role players from mining and manufacturing industries, academia, government, and the skills sector to build shared understanding of challenges and strategies for succeeding together, with focus on innovation, digitisation, and 4IR technologies. The 2026 edition is hosted at the IDC Conference Centre.
• Government Incentives Programme Linkage Advisory and facilitation service linking MEMSA members to government incentive programmes through the dtic, including the Manufacturing Support Programme (MSP) offering reimbursable grants up to 20% (30% for 51% women/youth/disabled-owned entities) capped at R10 million over a two-year investment period, the Downstream Steel Industry Competitiveness Fund (DSICF), Export Marketing & Investment Assistance (EMIA), and Intra-Africa Trade Fair opportunities.

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary partner in technology development. MMP is a Public-Private Partnership between Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and Minerals Council South Africa. MEMSA collaborates with MMP on SAMERDI programmes, MiningTARA platform development, and technology development initiatives for the mining equipment sector.
• Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment department that established MEMSA as an NPC in 2016 and continues to provide support. MEMSA works with dtic on policy advocacy, EMIA export programmes, AfCFTA engagement, and industrial development initiatives.
• SAMERDI (South African Mining Extraction Research, Development and Innovation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch programmes funded through Mandela Mining Precinct focused on ensuring sustainability of hard rock mining through research, development and technology innovation. MEMSA facilitates member participation in SAMERDI programmes.
• Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional development agency supporting MEMSA activities including AfCFTA webinars, Mind Shift Conference networking, and provincial economic development initiatives.
• SA Mineral Processing Equipment Cluster (SAMPEC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember-based cluster organization working with MEMSA on joint initiatives including SA Mining Tech and Innovation Hub at Electra Mining Africa, and facilitating engagement between members and local supply chains.
• Minerals Council South AfricamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry body co-founding the Mandela Mining Precinct with DSI. MEMSA collaborates through MMP and directly on industry matters including advocacy and policy development.
• CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEMSA CEO serves on CSIR Manufacturing Cluster Industry Advisory Panel. CSIR focuses on industrialisation strategy and mining research, partnering with industry for technology development.
• merSETA (Metal and Engineering Sector Education and Training Authority)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkills development authority for metals and engineering sector, referenced in context of MEMSA member development and training initiatives.
• Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment department co-founding Mandela Mining Precinct with Minerals Council. Funds SAMERDI research programmes and supports mining technology development.
• Electra Mining AfricamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor mining exhibition where MEMSA hosts SA Mining Tech and Innovation Hub pavilion with SAMPEC and MMP. Provides global visibility for member companies.
• Mining IndabamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInvesting in African Mining Indaba is described as 'of exceeding significance' to the global mining audience. MEMSA participates and advocates for members at this premier mining investment event.
• Production Technologies Association of South Africa (PtSA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation representing 8000+ TDM leaders nationally and globally. Invited to MEMSA networking sessions to present membership opportunities to MEMSA members.
• FERRIT (Czech Republic)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzech Republic-based OEM of mining equipment for hard rock mines. Partnered with J.A. Engineering Works to form Ferrit Technology Africa (FTA) in 2024 for African market access.
• African Mining VisioncoreOthersMEMSA aligns with African Mining Vision objectives for secure and sustainable regional value chains and AfCFTA mechanisms for SADC market realization.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/memsa_za
• Facebookfacebook.com/61573972035238
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mem_sa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 MEMSA