Chinese multinational technology corporation, Huawei’s, strategic and collaborative partnerships with companies such as LIBO Heavy Industries Science & Technology Co., which specialises in the R&D, manufacture, and operating of bulk material handling equipment, aligns with its focus on digital microgrid energy in the mining industry.
Speaking to Modern Mining on the side-lines of Mining Indaba, Meitong Zhou, CFO of LIBO Group, discussed the company’s development strategy into Africa.
LIBO Group specialises in intelligent long-distance conveyor solutions, partnering with Huawei, who are leaders in power solutions, especially for the African mining sector. Clean energy solutions include PV (Photovoltaic) systems and ESS (Energy Storage Systems). LIBO Group and Huawei have partnered to deliver professional solutions and products for belt conveyor demonstration projects that are intelligent, efficient, green, low-carbon, and high-capacity. Together, they are building benchmark projects for green mines and smart mining conveyor systems.
“Our focus is to provide efficient, cost-effective, intelligent, environmentally friendly, low-carbon, and high-capacity transport solutions for the mining industry. The LIBO Group’s conveyor systems are ideal for Ultra-Long-Distance Bulk Material Conveyance including 50 mtpa. Mine owners can focus on mining, while the long-distance transportation of bulk materials from the mine to the processing plant or port can be handled by the LIBO Group and Huawei.”
According to Meitong, given the challenges such as heavy rainfall and its adverse impact on road infrastructure, mining companies are increasingly adopting conveyor systems as an alternative solution.
“While a rail system is ideal for the transport of bulk material; constructing a rail system in Africa is often costly and takes several years to complete. These factors make conveyor belt systems an attractive solution, as they can be installed within a year and quickly begin transporting materials at high capacity. In addition, they enable year-round bulk material transport and can operate reliably even during the rainy season. Moreover, LIBO offers flexible cooperation models, including tailored financing solutions, localised technical support, and modular designs that adapt to diverse terrain and operational requirements across African regions.”
For instance, LIBO’s “Pay-per-Ton” model—already deployed in Serria Leone and Indonesia—reduces upfront CAPEX by over 60%, while its EPC+O (Engineering, Procurement, Construction + Operations) model enables clients to outsource full lifecycle management—from design and build to maintenance and performance optimisation—under a single, outcome-based contract.
Additionally, LIBO provides hybrid financing structures combining sovereign guarantees, green bonds, and vendor leasing, tailored to match project cash flow profiles. For project upgrades, the “Retrofit-as-a-Service” option allows phased integration of intelligent conveyors into existing infrastructure with zero capex and revenue-sharing terms tied to throughput gains. This model shifts financial risk from mine operators to LIBO, aligning incentives with measurable output—such as achieving 50 million tons per annum on a 100-kilometre corridor while enabling rapid deployment without balance-sheet impact.
Conveyor-belt systems align with miner’s ESG drive
Long-distance conveyor systems support the industry’s push toward reducing carbon emissions and deliver multiple advantages. They lower diesel consumption by up to 70% when compared to truck haulage, reduce 120 000 tons of CO₂ annually per 100-km corridor, and—per IEA 2025 Global Energy Review—rank among the top three most scalable low-carbon mining enablers. As the International Council on Mining & Metals affirms: “Electrified conveyance isn’t just incremental improvement; it is infrastructure that embodies the sector’s net-zero transition.” This shift transcends engineering—it redefines responsibility. Every ton moved without combustion is a silent covenant with future generations, every kilometre electrified, a recalibration of progress against planetary boundaries.
“We have developed advanced technologies, including intelligent long-distance conveyor systems capable of extending over 150 kilometres, enabling direct material transport from mines to ports or other designated destinations. In addition, we have engineered high-angle belt conveyors that operate at gradients exceeding 38 degrees. These innovations make our conveyor systems highly adaptable to complex geological conditions and open-pit mining environments. For example, our conveyor systems can traverse mountainous terrain and other challenging landscapes, significantly reducing overall transportation distances. Once the conveying system is installed, mines located along the route can connect directly to it, minimizing the need for additional infrastructure and lowering transportation costs. Overall, this solution supports greener, more efficient, and more sustainable mining operations.”
Based on years of accumulated experience, our company has developed a comprehensive intelligent control system that effectively addresses:
- Effective prevention of belt drifting, overlapping, and slippage;
- Flexible control abilities for complex terrain and various loading conditions;
- Rapid fault location along the conveyor line;
- Remote operation and maintenance capabilities.
“The R&D adopts intelligent direct-drive permanent magnet motors to achieve smart power balancing of multi-motor drives, intelligent speed regulation, safe braking, and ultra-energy-saving operation.”
In summary, LIBO's sophisticated belt conveyor system design, in-house R&D and production of all core components, and intelligent control system ensure safe, efficient, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly operation. This significantly enhances overall equipment reliability while significantly reducing maintenance costs.
While the LIBO Group remains active globally, providing long-distance conveyor systems to transport bulk material such as iron-ore, bauxite, coal and copper for China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Mongolia, Peru, Geneia, DRC and Serria Leone, the company is eager to grow its footprint in African Mining.
“LIBO and Huawei are committed to empowering African mining, especially by co-developing tailored infrastructure with local governments and communities—prioritising job creation, skills transfer, and low-carbon technology adoption. With Africa’s mineral wealth poised to fuel global energy transitions, LIBO’s conveyor solutions align well with the continent’s urgent need for resilient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible logistics. By 2026, pilot projects are slated for launch in Africa—each designed to reduce transport emissions by over 60% when compared to truck-based alternatives. These initiatives reflect not just infrastructure investment, but a commitment to shared value—where mining progress uplifts people, preserves ecosystems, and accelerates Africa’s sovereign industrial development,” concludes Zhou.
