Mozambique is increasingly investing in industrial cleaning modernization, driven mainly by environmental demands at major foundry operations such as Mozal, one of the largest aluminum producers on the continent. The use of high-capacity vacuum trucks has emerged as an effective solution for managing industrial waste and preventing contaminant spills.
A recent example is the work of South African company AB Sambane, led by Bonginkosi Nyawo, which has been providing specialized industrial cleaning services to Mozal since 2017. The company uses 12,500-liter Werner Indlovu trucks equipped with vacuum and high-pressure jetting technology. These vehicles are specifically designed to suction and transport both liquid and solid waste generated during the smelting process.
“These machines have proven essential for cleaning waste transport systems, furnaces, baths, and pits, ensuring greater operational safety and environmental control within the plant,” explains Nyawo. The technology allows continuous suction of dry materials, such as fly ash, as well as moist and pasty residues common in aluminum production areas. In addition to Mozal, located in Beluluane, Maputo province, Werner Pumps equipment (supplied to AB Sambane) is also used in major industrial operations in neighboring South Africa, including South32’s Hillside Aluminium smelter in Richards Bay — the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
According to George Jolly, Sales Director at Werner Pumps, “our ongoing engagement with clients like AB Sambane allows us to adapt and enhance our technical solutions, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and compliance with environmental standards in demanding industrial settings like Mozambique.”
The Werner Indlovu truck is fitted with a powerful industrial suction system capable of extracting up to 3,100 cubic meters of waste per hour — equivalent to filling over 60 tanker trucks per hour. Its consistent pressure allows for uninterrupted operation without loss of power.
Built with robust materials such as stainless steel to withstand harsh industrial environments like smelters and mines, the truck also features a special dual-cyclone filtration system that separates heavy waste from the air, enabling the efficient collection of both liquid waste and dry dust.
The combination of power, durability, and versatility has made this equipment an increasingly popular choice among industrial companies in Mozambique and Southern Africa seeking reliable solutions for safely and efficiently cleaning production areas.
This type of investment aligns with growing regulatory requirements in Mozambique, particularly regarding hazardous waste management and the mitigation of environmental impacts from heavy industry. With stricter environmental control mechanisms, companies operating in strategic sectors such as mining and metallurgy are being encouraged to adopt technological solutions that prevent accidents, boost productivity, and ensure greater sustainability in production processes.
Until recently seen merely as a support function, industrial cleaning now plays a strategic role in maintaining operations and complying with international environmental standards. In Mozambique, this shift could yield not only operational benefits but also reputational gains, in a global context increasingly attuned to best practices in industrial sustainability.
Source: Engineering News
