TOP International Holding has expanded its mining fleet in Guinea with three Wirtgen 280 SM surface miners, deployed at the company’s latest bauxite project. The new units join two Wirtgen 2500 SMs in service since 2018, bringing the site fleet to five machines.
The three 280 SMs were acquired in late 2025. The first two cut the site’s first bauxite on 10 October 2025, and the third entered service at the end of January 2026. Together, the new units have mined more than 5.6 million tonnes of bauxite to date, and the expanded fleet positions the project to produce at least 10 million tonnes a year.
Surface miners cut, crush and load ore in a single pass, without drilling and blasting – the method TOP has used in Guinea since operations began. It reduces noise, dust and vibration for surrounding communities, and leaves a level mined floor that serves as the haul road.
The 280 SM is the current generation of the design, with a wider cutting drum and automatic levelling that deliver more tonnes per hour and lower fuel consumption per tonne, and a pressurised, air-conditioned operator cabin built to current ergonomic standards.
The two 2500 SMs remain in frontline service alongside the new machines. Wirtgen supports the fleet through its factory-level service operation in Conakry.
Learn more about what this means on the ground and to our Guinea operations on our LinkedIn page.