Keen for its products to break into the South African mining industry, a pioneering Nigerian drone manufacturing start-up has partnered with a South African mining services company, which specialises in connecting stakeholders in the industry; including in areas of procurement and supply chains; marketing and communications.

Abuja-based Terrahaptix recently announced that it has high hopes of getting business in South Africa, after signing a contract with DiggingDeep, for the latter to exclusively distribute Terrahaptix’s models of Archer drones to mining companies in the southern African country.

DigginDeep specialises in connecting mining operations in Africa with suppliers such as Terrahaptix.

The drone maker’s founder Nathan Nwachukwu told TechPoint Africa that the drones will be used for mining operations that include mapping and exploration; equipment inspection, as well as monitoring hazardous areas; to keep human personnel away from dangerous places around mining sites.  

They drones would also help identify mineral deposits in hard-to-reach locations and monitor environmental impacts, such as air and water quality around the mine.

“This is going to help us solidify our position as a drone leader on the continent,” Nwanchukwu said.

“I see us dominating critical sectors like mining and oil within the next year or two.”

And while its aerial drones will help with security and site mapping, Terrahaptix also makes ground drones, like the Duma, will assist miners in actual mining activity and ground surveillance.

Drones have become vital tools in mining operations, enhancing safety, efficiency, and data collection across various stages of the mining process. According to Mining Technology, 65 percent of mines globally use drones, a big jump from 44 percent in 2018.

The drone for mining market is currently valued at $31.4 billion and it is projected to reach $103 billion by 2031.

South Africa will become fourth African country Terrahaptix will be exporting to, after the DRC, Ghana, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire. Thus far, the company says it has the capacity to produce over 250,000 drones annually and has three quarters of its sales have been to companies outside of its home base in Nigeria.

Nwanchukwu also revealed that the company had surpassed its revenue target of $1.6million and was on track to make over $2million in its first year of business.

The company also shared its plans to break into the European and North American industrial drone market in the coming year.

Terrahaptix was founded by Nwachukwu and Maxwell Maduka in February this year, and started production in April.