Case study / Mining
10 minute read
Over the course of its 50-year operation, Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) has relied on Unitrans as a core transport and logistics partner for 41 years. This enduring collaboration is a testament to mutual trust, resilience, and the ability to grow together through decades of change. From project milestones to cutting-edge innovation, the partnership continues to shape safer, smarter logistics and operations at the mine.
RBM needed a transport and logistics partner capable of scaling with its operations – while consistently raising the bar on safety and efficiency. With evolving safety standards and growing operational complexity, the challenge was not only to meet expectations, but to help set new standards.
Unitrans embedded safety into every layer of its operations, earning Rio Tinto’s Most Outstanding Contractor Partner Safety Award at the annual RockStars of the Year Safety Awards for two years in a row (2024 and 2025). This recognition speaks volumes about the company’s proactive approach and dedication to the Rio Tinto Safety System.
Key initiatives included:
“I’m exceptionally proud that we have won this award for the second consecutive year and that Rio Tinto’s safety maturity model has been implemented across the operation at Richards Bay Minerals,”
John Kettlewell Mining Executive at Unitrans.
These efforts contributed to:
The following safety metrics reflect Unitrans’ commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement in the RBM operation:
reduction in vehicle-related incidents year-on-year, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted interventions and driver awareness programs.
man hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI) during peak operational periods, underscoring a strong safety culture and rigorous compliance.
LTI-free kilometres travelled, reinforcing the reliability and discipline of our fleet operations.
product drops executed safely and efficiently, with zero major incidents reported.
reduction in driver risk severity from Q3 2025 to Q4 2025, while the industry saw a 5.2% increase.
lower mining risk score than the industry average for Q4 2025, reflecting significantly safer driving behaviour.
At a critical juncture in its operations, RBM faced the need to access high-value mineral deposits buried beneath overburden material, without disrupting ongoing production. Recognising this challenge, Unitrans proposed a bespoke Box-Cut excavation and reprocessing solution designed specifically for RBM’s geological and operational context.
The initiative:
More than just a project, the Box Cut initiative illustrated Unitrans’s ability to respond quickly, plan strategically, and deliver measurable impact when clients face turning points.
Road Trains Reimagined for Performance and Safety
Over the years, Unitrans worked closely with RBM to deliver progressively more efficient, scalable commodity haulage solutions. The result? PBS-compliant road trains – designed to maximise efficiency, minimise environmental impact, and uphold world-class safety.
payloads, safely increasing capacity by 16% over previous configurations
cut from 3.2 million litres to 1.4 million litres annually
in fleet size from 30 vehicles to 14, halving on-road exposure
fuel efficiency boost over standard 56-ton trailers
travelled dropped from 4.6 million km to 2 million km
with PBS safety regulations, making them among the safest and most efficient vehicles operating in Africa
Beyond the mine gate, Unitrans remains a committed community partner.
Key initiatives included:
Unitrans’s 41-year journey with RBM is more than a contract – it’s a collaboration built on trust, tenacity, and a shared commitment to raising the bar. From daily rituals to award-winning results, the partnership demonstrates that when leadership aligns, technology empowers, and people take ownership – transformation is not only possible, it’s sustainable.
What ties these solutions together is Unitrans’ commitment to scalable, data-driven transformation in mining. Across all mining activities, real-time insights and smart automation are empowering the mining industry to grow with precision.
This is innovation that unlocks the potential of the land. This is growth, reimagined.