For Mining with Meaning: Strengthening local commitment and global expertise in Canada

By Aidan Mitchell, President, TAKRAF Canada

As TAKRAF Group approaches the close of its 300-year anniversary year, I find myself reflecting on what this milestone means in a Canadian context. Three centuries of history is an extraordinary legacy for any company, but in mining, where transformation never stops, heritage alone is not enough. What matters is how we use that legacy to benefit today’s operations and tomorrow’s vision.

This year, our updated claim, For Mining with Meaning., captured the essence of that responsibility. It is a simple statement, but it guides everything we do.

Mining plays a critical role in building the modern world, and we view our contribution as both practical and purposeful: deliver reliable technology, secure the commodity supply of tomorrow and stand beside our clients as long-term partners.

In the past several years, we have contributed multiple updates to the Canadian Mining Magazine blog, including articles on our work supporting the Canadian mining industry, insights on locally developed engineering expertise or a closer look at the performance of our rotary railcar dumper technology. Those updates outlined progress. Today, I want to share how that progress has matured into something even more valuable: a more connected, more responsive and more locally engaged TAKRAF Group presence in Canada.

A stronger local foundation, supported by global depth

Across Canada, operators continue to raise expectations for throughput, reliability, environmental performance and long-term asset value. Meeting those expectations requires more than a catalog of equipment. It requires people who understand regional conditions, who know what works on the ground, and who can respond quickly when support is needed.

Our expanded Canadian operations are built around that philosophy. We strengthened local engineering, project execution and service resources so that clients do not need to choose between global technology leadership and close on-site support. They can have both. Our local experts provide professional advice and a high level of expertise, establishing us as a globally active yet locally trusted partner.

This balance is the core of the TAKRAF Group approach. We bring the technical depth of our worldwide organization to every project, but we implement it through teams who are part of the Canadian mining community. That is what gives our work relevance. That is what gives it meaning.

Material handling and mining technology designed for long-term performance

Canada continues to face increasing pressure to move more material with less energy and less downtime. It is a challenge that rewards durability and precise engineering, qualities that define our material handling solutions.

The TAKRAF Tandem Rotary Railcar Dumper, installed at a major Canadian export terminal, remains a reference example of this performance. After years of continuous operation, the system reliably meets the demanding cycle times and throughput targets essential to its design. But while it is a strong showcase, it represents only one part of our broader contribution to Canadian operations.

Across the country, TAKRAF Crushing Plants, ranging from indirect crushing systems in oilsands to direct-dump installations in hard-rock applications, demonstrate the same principles. These plants are engineered for predictable performance in abrasive ores, low-temperature environments and high-capacity operations. Our work in OverLand Conveying (OLC) is similar: Robust OLC systems designed to handle long distances, challenging topography and the reliability expectations of round-the-clock operations.

In recent years, our in-house developed TAKRAF sizer technology has also become an important part of this landscape. Drawing on decades of experience with Double Roll Crushers (DRCs), these sizers incorporate lessons learned from extreme-class applications into designs that prioritize reliability, maintainability and energy-efficient material reduction.

A legacy of engineering evolution

This combination of technologies reflects a long engineering journey, one that began with mining systems for European lignite operations many decades ago. From there, our teams expanded into direct-dump hard-rock crushing plants, including work in Chile in the 1990s that helped define modern approaches to primary crushing layouts.

In the 2000s, our expertise evolved further with the development of large indirect crushing plants in the Canadian oilsands, followed by decades of continuous improvement in heavy-duty DRCs. That progression ultimately led to the development of today’s TAKRAF Sizer program, representing our latest generation of equipment designed for high capacities, hard rock applications and high mechanical availability.

This evolution is not only part of our history; but also shapes the solutions we deliver in Canada today.

Processing technologies aligned with Canada’s critical minerals future

As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, Canada finds itself in an increasingly central position. More projects, tighter recovery requirements and higher expectations for environmental performance are now commonplace. To support this shift, processing plants need equipment that is efficient but also adaptable to changing conditions.

Our DELKOR brand solutions continue to support these evolving needs. Sedimentation, filtration, screening and flotation remain core technologies, but new advances, such as the DELKOR BQR Flotation Cell with the MAXGen mechanism, are helping clients achieve improved recovery with reduced energy consumption. DELKOR specialists collaborate closely with clients to design and build individual equipment and complete plants that optimize investment and operating costs, process efficiency and site aspects. The team also recommends the most suitable minerals processing method based on material testing results.

The lessons we learn from Canadian projects feed directly into our global research and development work, helping us continuously refine these systems for future applications.

Listening first, solving second

Throughout the past year, I spent considerable time meeting with operators, maintenance teams, consultants and project owners across Canada. These conversations consistently highlighted three priorities.

• First, clients want predictable performance. Not theoretical performance, but the kind that stands up to harsh low temperature operating environments, abrasive ore or twenty-four seven operations.
• Second, they expect responsive service and a partner who understands local conditions.
• Third, they are looking for long term thinking. Strategic planning is essential, whether a customer is modernizing an existing facility or conceptualizing a next generation mine.

These expectations do not change with new technology or a milestone anniversary. They remain constant because they are fundamental to mining. Our role is to meet them with integrity, technical competence, and a deep respect for the people who keep these operations running.

Looking ahead: Innovation with purpose

The mining industry is moving into a new era shaped by automation, electrification, remote operations and data-driven decision-making. For many Canadian clients, these opportunities are exciting but also complex. It is not enough to introduce new concepts. They must be reliable, economically justified and meaningful to real operating environments.

As we look toward the next decade, TAKRAF Group is concentrating on several priority areas:

• High efficiency crushing and conveying systems designed to reduce energy consumption
• Digitalization and condition monitoring tools that support predictive maintenance
• Enhanced modeling and simulation to optimize mine and plant performance
• Processing technologies designed around recovery, water management and environmental responsibility

These efforts reflect our renewed commitment to developing solutions that enhance productivity while supporting sustainable and responsible mining. That is what For Mining with Meaning. signifies for us. It is about applying technical expertise with intent and purpose.