From 500 to 1,500 Tons: How a Tanzanian Mine Tripled Production with Kaishan Drills

In the Mbeya region of Tanzania, a gold mine owner has a remarkable story of transformation. Joseph Karuma’s mine, once struggling with obsolete equipment, is now a thriving operation. His secret? The powerful combination of two Kaishan down-the-hole (DTH) drill rigs and one Kaishan screw air compressor.

“Before, we relied on manual rock drilling and outdated equipment to barely reach 500 tons of ore per month. Now, with our DTH drills and screw air compressors working in tandem, our monthly production capacity has jumped to 1,500 tons—a threefold increase!”

The Challenge: Heat, Dust, and Unreliable Equipment

For years, Joseph’s mine was held back by its machinery. He inherited two obsolete small rock drills and a cheap air compressor. These were ill-suited for the harsh African mining environment.

• Extreme Heat: With midday temperatures often exceeding 45°C, the old rock drills would quickly overheat and shut down.

• Dust Intrusion: Heavy dust plagued the site, constantly clogging the pipes of the old air compressor, leading to frequent breakdowns.

• Low Productivity: The lack of power meant the drills could only manage a maximum of 20 meters of drilling per day, far below what was needed to fulfill orders. Major clients would visit and leave due to the mine’s low production capacity.

The Kaishan Solution: Engineered for African Conditions

The turning point came when Joseph invested in a Kaishan drilling solution, specifically designed for the challenges of African mines.

• Desert-Ready Drills: The Kaishan DTH drill rigs feature enhanced sealing and cooling systems. This localized design effectively prevents sand and dust intrusion, ensuring stable, reliable drilling even in extreme heat.

• Stable, Efficient Power: The Kaishan screw air compressor uses wide voltage compatibility technology, perfectly solving the problem of power fluctuations common in remote mining sites. It provides a stable, high-volume air supply with remarkably low fuel consumption.

• Unmatched Support: Joseph was reassured by Kaishan’s local presence. With a spare parts warehouse in Tanzania and 24/7 after-sales engineers, equipment problems are now resolved in days, not the months he previously waited for parts.

The Result: Efficiency Skyrockets, Costs Plunge

Since putting the three Kaishan machines to work in early 2025, the results have been dramatic.

• 6x Drilling Efficiency: The new rigs drill 60 meters per day each—a sixfold increase in drilling efficiency with two rigs operating.

• Production Tripled: Faster drilling and reliable air power boosted monthly ore production from 500 to 1,500 tons.

• Major Cost Savings: The new compressor uses 20% less fuel than the old generic equipment. Combined with longer-lasting wear parts, Joseph saves nearly $4,000 per month on maintenance.

• Fast ROI: The entire investment in the new equipment was recovered in just six months.

Joseph’s mine is now stable and thriving, attracting interest from large mineral processing companies with orders booked through the end of next year. “This is all thanks to the reliable performance of our Kaishan down-the-hole drills and screw air compressor,” he says. “Next, I plan to introduce another machine to double our production capacity again.”

In Tanzania and across Africa, Kaishan’s high-efficiency drilling rigs, stable screw air compressors, localized designs, and comprehensive after-sales support are empowering local miners to achieve their dreams, turning struggling operations into productive, profitable ventures.

Ready to boost your mining operation’s productivity? Contact us today to learn how Kaishan can provide a customized solution for your site.