Stabilising flotation through vendor management: Driving localised mining excellence in the DRC

As the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) advances its ambitions around industrialisation, value addition and energy resilience, discussions taking place at DRC Mining Week 2026 are highlighting the close link between operational performance and the development of local capability.

For AECI Mining Chemicals, maintaining stable flotation conditions depends on close technical collaboration and the ability to respond to changing conditions inside the plant. The company’s Vendor Management (VM) Model, which has delivered results in South African mining operations, is based on that approach and is now being introduced to the DRC market.

During DRC Mining Week 2026, AECI Mining Chemicals is engaging with mining companies, metallurgical teams and industry stakeholders on how this collaborative approach can support operational stability, productivity and localisation objectives across the DRC mining sector.

Delegates attending DRC Mining Week are invited to visit AECI Mining Chemicals at stands B5 and B8, where the company’s product managers and technical managers are available to discuss flotation challenges, process optimisation opportunities and the benefits of the VM Model.

The model embeds experienced technical specialists directly within mining operations, where they work alongside metallurgists and plant personnel to optimise flotation performance and reduce process variability. Through continuous monitoring, real-time technical insights and collaborative problem-solving, vendor management enables mines to achieve more consistent recovery rates and maximise resource value.

Small changes in ore characteristics, water quality or operating conditions can quickly influence flotation performance. Maintaining consistency therefore requires continuous technical oversight and the ability to respond as conditions change. By providing on-site expertise and ongoing support, the VM Model assists operations improve efficiency and maintain more predictable metallurgical performance.

Conversations taking place during DRC Mining Week are also drawing attention to how localisation is being approached across the sector. For AECI Mining Chemicals, capability development forms an important part of that conversation.

Through daily engagement with local teams, the company facilitates knowledge transfer, practical training and skills development. Over time, this builds in-country technical capability and contributes to the long-term growth of the industry.

“Long-term localisation relies on sustainable expertise and the development of local talent,” says Jeremy Stanley, vice-president: Strategic Marketing and Technology. “Our Vendor Management Model creates opportunities for skills transfer while assisting customers achieve stable and efficient operational performance.”

According to Stanley, DRC Mining Week provides a platform for discussions with customers and stakeholders on how collaborative technical models can support operational performance and capability development.

Discussions taking place throughout the event are also highlighting the importance of collaboration between mining companies, technical partners and other stakeholders as the country pursues its ambitions around industrialisation and value addition.

For AECI Mining Chemicals, the conversation around localisation increasingly includes the transfer of expertise and the development of in-country capability. Over time, those foundations may prove just as important to the long-term success of the sector as the technologies deployed within the process itself.