Energy company Engen, a member of Vivo Energy, reaffirmed its commitment to South Africa’s coal industry at the ICPC Coal Africa 2025 conference, highlighting how technology-driven maintenance and reliability solutions are helping miners cut costs and extend the life of their assets.

Speaking at the event, Engen Mining business development manager Vusi Nkosi said the company’s presence at Coal Africa underscored its long-standing partnership with the mining sector.

“Engen has supported coal mining operations for decades through reliable fuel and lubricant supply, and by understanding the unique challenges faced by this industry,” he said. “Being here allows us to engage directly with customers, understand their pain points, and share technologies that have already proven successful in improving productivity and reducing costs.”

Nkosi noted that while global discussions often frame coal as a sunset industry, local trends tell a different story. “We’re seeing significant extensions in the life of mines. That means miners are investing in keeping assets running longer and more efficiently — and we’re supporting them with technology that enhances equipment reliability,” he said.

Among Engen’s latest innovations is its vehicle and equipment continuous monitoring solution, VE-CEM, an AI-based predictive maintenance platform that uses real-time data to monitor equipment performance.

“VE-CEM helps operators predict when equipment components are likely to fail,” Nkosi explained.

“It allows maintenance teams to act proactively, replacing parts such as filters only when necessary rather than on fixed schedules. This saves money, reduces downtime, and optimises fleet performance.”

The system also tracks driver behaviour, diagnostics and location data, providing deeper insights into operational efficiency.

“We’re able to tell, based on data patterns, why and when equipment is most likely to fail,” Nkosi added. “That kind of visibility is invaluable in keeping production consistent and costs controlled.”

As part of the Vivo Energy group, Engen continues to supply fuels, lubricants and chemical solutions across South Africa’s mining and industrial sectors, backed by a strong retail and logistics network. Nkosi said that this footprint ensures security of supply and on-site service capabilities, including oil analysis and technical support.

“Engen’s message at Coal Africa 2025 is clear — we’re not just a supplier; we’re a partner. Our focus is on long-term collaboration, using technology and expertise to help the coal sector operate more efficiently, safely and sustainably,” Nkosi concluded.