REBUILDS
Circularity at the core
Rebuilt Caterpillar mining trucks at Thiess’ s Rebuild Centre on Batam Island, Indonesia
Rebuilding equipment has become an art as mining companies look to get even more hours and value from existing assets. Paul Moore reports
Long before remanufacturing and rebuilding became a recognised practice in the mining equipment sector, Aix-en-Provence headquartered Aramine had already identified its value. The company’ s involvement dates back to the 1980s, when the closure of French mines left large fleets of underground equipment idle and often abandoned on site.
Rather than allowing these machines to deteriorate, Aramine chose to recover them. At the time, the reason was both pragmatic and forward-looking. While some operators were keen to dispose of surplus equipment, others( particularly in different mining regions) could benefit from reliable second-hand machines at a lower cost. This approach also anticipated growing concerns around resource efficiency and environmental impact.
What began as an opportunity gradually became a core activity. Remanufacturing, however, presented unique challenges. Each used machine came with its own operating history, requiring detailed technical evaluation. Components had to be assessed individually to determine whether they should be reused, rebuilt, replaced, or discarded.
“ We have progressively structured our expertise to deliver high-performance machines at competitive prices, while adapting each unit to the client’ s operational needs,” explains Marc Melkonian, Co- President of Aramine in charge of the Equipment Division.“ The fact that our remanufactured machine production is planned well in advance reflects the confidence we now have in this market.”
To support this activity, Aramine relies on a network of specialised workshops across Europe, notably in Italy, Romania, and
Poland, combining long-standing industrial partners with its own facilities.
More than 400 remanufactured machines have now been delivered worldwide, extending equipment service life and reducing the environmental footprint associated with new machine production. Demand continues to grow, confirming remanufacturing as a viable and increasingly accepted alternative within the mining industry.
When Aramine began designing and manufacturing its own underground mining equipment in 2007, the company chose to maintain remanufacturing as a distinct and complementary activity. The two approaches address different operational and economic requirements, while benefiting from shared technical expertise.
Today, Aramine structures its remanufacturing activity, named‘ Second life’ through four clearly defined levels of reconditioning. These range from machines supplied in running condition, intended as cores for deeper rebuilding, to fully rebuilt units involving complete disassembly,
Before and after a full rebuild of an Epiroc ST7 by Aramine
80 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2026