Built tough for Africa’s most demanding environments, our equipment is trusted by mining houses, EPCs, and infrastructure developers for its safety, performance, and reliability.
With engineering precision, project-driven support, and quality partnerships at our core, Red Metal Mining delivers power solutions that energize progress.
Red Metal Mining specialises in the design, manufacture, and supply of Oil-Immersed and Dry Type (Cast Resin) Transformers and Mini Substations, delivering tailor-made, turnkey electrical solutions to industry leaders across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Built tough for Africa’s most demanding environments, our equipment is trusted by mining houses, EPCs, and infrastructure developers for its safety, performance, and reliability.
With engineering precision, project-driven support, and quality partnerships at our core, Red Metal Mining delivers power solutions that energize progress.
Our Experience empowers your Purchase
Oil-immersed transformers
Designed and supplied for utility, mining, industrial, and infrastructure applications where reliable medium- or highvoltage power distribution is required. Deliverables can include a transformer specified for the project duty, voltage, capacity, and installation requirements.
Mini substations
Integrated substation solutions for distributing and managing electrical power in mining, industrial, and infrastructure environments. Deliverables may include the specified transformer and associated substation equipment required for the project application.
Dry-type cast transformers
Supplied for indoor or environmentally sensitive installations where reduced fire risk, low maintenance, and reliable power distribution are important. Deliverables include a cast resin transformer configured for the required electrical ratings and application conditions
Specialized transformers
Engineered transformer solutions for operating conditions or electrical requirements that fall outside standard transformer applications. Each unit is specified around the required duty, installation environment, and powersystem requirements.
Oil purification
On-site or workshop-based purification of transformer oil to help remove contaminants that can affect insulation performance. The main deliverable is treated transformer oil, with the process selected according to the condition and service requirements of the equipment.
Power factor analysis
Assessment of electrical-system power factor to identify causes of inefficient power use and determine where correction may be required. The deliverable is an analysis of the installation’s power-factor performance, together with findings to support corrective action.
Power factor correction
Design and supply of power-factor correction solutions for industrial and commercial electrical installations. The service is intended to improve power-system efficiency and support more effective use of available electrical capacity, with the correction equipment specified for the installation’s requirements.
Final ratings, configurations, insulation systems, protection requirements and compliance standards are confirmed against the project specification and application.
Knowledge Base
Browse through our frequently asked questions or ask us if you need more information:
What is the difference between oil-filled and dry-type (cast resin) transformers?
Oil-filled transformers use insulating oil for cooling and are a robust, cost-effective choice for surface and general power distribution. Dry-type cast resin transformers are oil-free, F1 self-extinguishing and low maintenance, making them the preferred option for fire-sensitive, confined or underground mining environments — with a service life of 20+ years. As a transformer manufacturer in South Africa, Red Metal Mining builds both types to SANS 780 and IEC 60076, at operating voltages up to 33 kV.
How do I choose the right kVA rating for a transformer or mini substation?
Start with your site’s maximum demand and load profile. As a guide, our ranges cover: cast resin dry-type transformers from 100 kVA up to 20 MVA; cast resin mini substations from 100 kVA to 2 500 kVA with IP23–IP54 protection; and in-house manufactured oil-type transformers and mini substations from 100 kVA to 3 150 kVA (3.15 MVA) — a common request being a 630 kVA mini substation for mining applications. Share your load data and our engineers will size a unit, or a bank of units, to your exact requirement.
How does an underground mining site distribute power, and which substation is used?
Underground mining power distribution steps high-voltage supply (typically 11 kV / 22 kV) down to usable voltages through compact substations placed along the workings. Cast resin mini substations are ideal here: they are fire-safe, oil-free and small enough to fit inside a man winder cage, so power can follow the face as the mine develops. Red Metal Mining manufactures underground-rated mini substations up to 2 500 kVA with IP54 protection and custom interlocking security.
How long does it take to manufacture and deliver a transformer in South Africa?
Our typical transformer lead time is approximately 6 to 8 working weeks, depending on the specification — fast for fully custom-engineered units. Because every transformer and mini substation is designed around your recorded data and site conditions, we confirm a firm delivery timeline with your quotation, and a dedicated Project Manager keeps you updated from design through to delivery anywhere in South Africa or sub-Saharan Africa.
Are your transformers SANS 780 and IEC 60076 compliant?
Yes. Every unit is designed and tested to SANS 780 (Edition 4) and IEC 60076, and manufactured under our ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system — the standards mining houses, consultants and Eskom-specified projects require. Enclosures are available in IP23, IP33, IP44 and IP54 ratings, and each product carries a 12-month standard manufacturer warranty.
Which transformer is best for underground mining and confined spaces?
A cast resin dry-type transformer or cast resin mini substation is the safest choice for underground mining: with no oil to ignite, an F1 self-extinguishing fire class and minimal maintenance, they suit fiery-mine restrictions and confined workings. Our compact mini substations can be skid-mounted, winder-cage slung or supplied in modular containerised housings, and are dimensioned specifically to fit man winder cages underground.
Do you manufacture and deliver mini substations outside South Africa?
Yes — Red Metal Mining is a mini substation and transformer manufacturer supplying mining houses, EPCs and infrastructure developers across sub-Saharan Africa. Deliveries are coordinated from our head office and factory in Chloorkop, Johannesburg, with a branch in Kitwe supporting Zambia and the Copperbelt region.