From humble beginnings, a gamble that paid off
Progress Mining was founded in 2020 just after the Covid-19 pandemic, a time of great uncertainty. In 2021 Progress Mining established a sales team in South Africa in an attempt to break into the African mining market. It was difficult competing with the well-established names in the industry, trying to get a foot in the door. However, in 2021 a coal mine site in South Africa decided to give Progress Mining a chance by fitting a complete undercarriage solution to one of their Caterpillar® 6050 hydraulic excavators. Product lead time, price and after sales support was critical to the client as they needed to have everything delivered on time for the scheduled maintenance. The Progress Mining team ensured that the entire process was carried out in a timely manner. Technical support and clear communication were available to the client 24/7 to ensure smooth delivery and installation. The Progress Mining team also gave guidance on the overall maintenance and repair of the side frames and installation. The fitment went according to schedule and all components were fitted with no issues. It was truly a proud and emotional moment when the machine walked off the assembly pad to go and move earth, making the Progress Mining motto “Move Forward” come to life that day. In that moment the Progress Mining team didn’t realise the impact this first fitment would have on our future success in the region.
Above: 2022, Progress Mining complete undercarriage solution on a Caterpillar® 6050 at a South African coal mine site 12 months after initial fitment.
Jumping forward to 2025, 4 years after the initial installation the Progress Mining undercarriage fitted to the Caterpillar® 6050 at the South African coal mine site is still going strong. The undercarriage has achieved 16,000 operation hours with no failures on idlers, track shoes or sprockets. The performance of all machines fitted with Progress Mining components are tracked and the Condition Monitoring report for this machine shows that all components are on track to run without incident for over 20,000 hours. They also show that the Progress Mining undercarriage components are on par to meet previous competitor component hours.
Above: 2025, Progress Mining complete undercarriage solution on a Caterpillar® 6050 at a South African coal mine site 4 years after initial fitment, still going strong.
It is Progress Mining’s hands on approach, walking side by side with the client throughout the process, providing technical expertise and support that sets us apart. Our Condition Monitoring service with regular inspections, technical guidance and advice has ensured that machines fitted with Progress Mining components perform above and beyond operational specifications.
From humble beginnings it is a remarkable journey that Progress Mining has undertaken as the new face in mining undercarriage solutions. From 1 machine fitment in 2021, to well over 20 machine fitments across the African continent in 2025, Progress Mining are a force to be reckoned with.
To find out how Progress Mining can become your go to vendor and to organise a Condition Monitoring Service for your fleet email us at info@progressmining.com or visit the Contact Us page to find your nearest sales manager or distributor.