The Shift from Tons to Flows with Aerzen

Welcome back to The Mining Pulse! In this, Graeme sits down with Greg, Managing Director of Aerzen, to explore how 160 years of German engineering is transforming energy efficiency and process optimisation across African mines. While mining has historically been measured in tons processed and tons shipped, the future to 2030 will belong to operations that optimise flows—flows of energy, water, air, and data. In this conversation, Greg breaks down how efficient blowers and compressors can dramatically cut lifecycle power costs in flotation circuits, leaching, and wastewater plants. We also discuss Aerzen’s sub-Saharan service hubs and the recent launch of the Aerzen Academy to up-skill the next generation of African technical talent. Key Takeaways: 160 Years of Heritage: Learn about Aerzen’s long-standing track record in rotating equipment across 50+ countries. Tons vs. Flows: Why future mining competitiveness depends on controlling flows of air, power, and water rather than static tonnages. Beating Escalating Energy Tariffs: How high-efficiency aeration control systems can achieve up to 30% savings in continuous-duty applications. The Aerzen Academy: How industry partnerships are equipping mechanical fitters and engineers across Africa with accredited technical training. Chapters: 0:00 Welcome Greg from Aerzen 0:33 Over 160 Years of German Engineering 1:15 Blowers & Compressors in Mining Applications 2:08 The Philosophy: Moving from Tons to Flows 3:23 Navigating Energy Tariffs & Carbon Taxes 4:41 Lifecycle Costing & Aeration Efficiency 6:15 Sub-Saharan Footprint & Service Hubs 7:18 Upskilling Talent: The Aerzen Academy 8:45 Career Opportunities for Fitters & Engineers 10:15 Episode Wrap-Up Don't miss a single beat of the industry's critical readout. Subscribe to The Mining Pulse on YouTube, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform, and leave your thoughts in the comments below to help shape future conversations! Stay sharp, stay informed, and stay on the pulse.