French mining equipment specialist Aramine has launched Aramac, a new company focused exclusively on the design, manufacture and distribution of underground mining equipment and complementary solutions.

The move follows more than two decades of development of Aramine’s own underground machinery business and gives the activity a dedicated identity as it expands internationally.

Aramine, which has served the mining industry for more than 50 years, will continue to focus on spare parts and components, including through its SmartParts programme.

Aramac and Aramine remain owned by the Melkonian family.

Marc Melkonian leads Aramac, while Christophe Melkonian heads Aramine, with Geneviève Melkonian serving as Co-President of both companies.

Based in Aix-en-Provence, with production facilities in Gardanne in southern France, Aramac aims to become a leading equipment manufacturer for underground mines with tunnel cross-sections of up to 16 square metres.

The company’s equipment business dates back to 2008, when it introduced the L130E loader for narrow-vein operations using cable-electric technology.

Since then, more than 500 machines have been delivered across 34 countries, with the product portfolio expanding to include loaders and underground trucks.

Aramac has also been an early adopter of battery-electric technology.

In 2016, it launched the L140B, its first battery-electric loader. Its current battery-electric range includes three loaders from 1.3 to 6.2 tonnes, while a battery-electric truck is under development.

The company also supplies autonomous equipment that is already operating in production mines.

Alongside its own equipment, Aramac distributes specialised underground mining machinery from manufacturers including Lorenzana, which supplies explosive charging and concrete spraying equipment.

In West Africa, its distribution portfolio also includes Atlas Copco air compressors and Astec crushing solutions.

The new organisation brings engineering, manufacturing, sales, after-sales service, training and customer support under a single identity, with the aim of accelerating product development and international growth.

Aramac is preparing to open a new headquarters in 2027 near its existing Gardanne production site, on a former mining property.

The facility is expected to bring teams together and increase production capacity. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service