The revenues of the Nigerian drone company Terrahaptix are approaching two million dollars in the first year of its establishment, with the beginning of exports to the mining sector in South Africa after an agreement with DiggingDeep to distribute exclusively to mining companies there, according to what Techpoint Africa reported.
Digging Deep specializes in connecting mining operations in Africa with suppliers such as Terahaptics.
TechPoint Africa quoted the founder of the Nigerian company, Nathan Nwachukwu, as saying that the largest number of his company’s clients are concentrated in the mining sector.
He added that the drones will be used to survey and map mining sites, inspect equipment, and monitor dangerous areas, which will reduce the need for workers to enter them. Additionally, they will help identify mineral deposits in hard-to-reach locations and monitor environmental impacts, such as air and water quality around mines.
According to the Mining Technology website, 65% of mines around the world use drones, which is a big jump from 44% in 2018.
The mining drone market is currently valued at $31.4 billion and is expected to reach $103 billion by 2031.
Basic tools
Drones have become essential tools in mining operations. It enhances safety, efficiency and data collection across different stages of the mining process.
By providing real-time data and aerial views, drones improve decision-making, improve workflow and reduce costs, making them indispensable tools for modern mining operations.
Nwachukwu explained that Terrahaptics will be part of major mining operations in South Africa, and while its drones will help with security and site mapping, its ground-based aircraft, such as Duma, will assist miners with actual mining activity and ground monitoring.
Terahaptics sales
South Africa will be the fifth African country to which Terahaptics will export its products, primarily to customers in Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Ivory Coast and Nigeria, where it produces its aircraft.
According to the Techpoint Africa website, most of the company’s sales are…ANigeria is overseas (with at least 75% of sales) and hopes in the next five years to dominate the African drone market.
Nwachukwu feels that exporting to South Africa proves his company’s prowess in manufacturing drones. He says, “This will help us consolidate our position as a leading company in the field of drones on the continent. I see that we will dominate vital sectors such as mining and oil within the next year or two.” What the site reported.
Nwachukwu, the company’s founder, said twice before that it has exceeded its sales target of $1.6 million and is on track to achieve more than $2 million in its first year of operation, expecting demand for the company’s aircraft from mining companies to increase by the end of 2024.
He added that this was due to Africa’s “mining renaissance”, which was stimulated by the growing popularity of electric cars.
