Reflecting on global engineering consultant DRA Global’s evolving role in Africa’s mining sector, CEO James Smith says delivering successful mining projects in Africa requires not only technical expertise but also the ability to navigate complex logistics, regulatory environments and emerging commodity trends.

Founded in South Africa in 1984, DRA Global has grown to become a major international engineering and project delivery firm while retaining a strong African focus.

The company has managed high-profile, complex projects, including the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which Smith describes as “one of the largest copper producing complexes in the world, with all three phases built on time, on budget and with commissioning and ramp-up exceeding expectations”.

This, he adds, demonstrates DRA’s ability to deliver in challenging conditions.

The company offers end-to-end services across the mining value chain, from underground and openpit mine development to processing plants and supporting infrastructure, including energy, water and logistics infrastructure.

In Southern Africa, it has been instrumental in delivering much of the region’s platinum concentrator capacity and continues to support several underground platinum group metals mining and process plant capital project developments.

Beyond Southern Africa, DRA Global has delivered projects in remote and logistically challenging regions, including gold and copper miner Barrick’s Kibali gold mine, and mining and metals company Alphamin Resources’ Bisie tin project, both in the DRC.

DRA’s model emphasises early risk assessment, trade-off analysis and strict adherence to project timelines and budgets to meet client expectations.

“We study projects upfront to ensure feasibility across multiple scenarios, assisting clients in decision-making around capital budgets and schedules that result in successful project completion and commissioning outcomes,” says Smith.

DRA is also adapting to global trends in critical minerals and green energy, with Smith highlighting that the firm’s teams now handle global lithium, nickel and rare earths projects, applying consistent project management principles while tailoring technical approaches to new commodities.

Sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance are embedded across all project stages.

“From feasibility studies to operations, engineers optimise energy, water and carbon footprints, integrate community infrastructure requirements and deploy digital tools for efficiency. “We assist clients in their decision-making to ensure projects are . . . financially sound while meeting ESG expectations, from energy and water management to social infrastructure requirements,” he adds.

Financing, Innovation, Global Expansion

Volatile commodity prices, global politics and shifting investor expectations are reshaping project financing. DRA supports clients with optimal project outcomes through phased capital plans, budget and schedule certainty, as well as project ramp-up support, to assist in the fundraising process.

Commercial funders, development finance institutions and export credit agencies increasingly mandate ESG adherence, linking sustainability to funding, he adds.

Smith notes that, in South Africa, regulatory uncertainty and infrastructure constraints have limited investment appetite, pushing projects towards countries – such as Namibia, Botswana and even Zambia and the DRC – that are perceived as lower risk for mining project development.

DRA leverages its engineering capacity to respond to opportunities across Africa as they arise. The company has expanded beyond Africa into the Middle East, North and South America, Europe and the wider Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation region, with offices in Toronto and Montreal, in Canada; Phoenix, in the US; Santiago, in Chile; Lima, in Peru; and Perth, Brisbane and Newcastle, in Australia.

The firm is also investing heavily in AI, automation and digital engineering to improve efficiency and outcomes.

“Automation and AI tools allow our engineers to focus on problem-solving while routine tasks are handled efficiently, enhancing delivery and quality across all of our projects,” he says.