Abu Dhabi Maritime and Minex collaborate to develop mining technologies in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy

 

Abu Dhabi Maritime and Minex collaborate to develop mining technologies in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, part of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, has signed a research, development and operation agreement with Minex, a company specializing in mining and mineral processing technologies in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The agreement includes the design, development and operation of an advanced AI-enhanced ore sorting machine, designed to improve the quality of low-grade mineral materials and transform them into export-ready products.

Under the agreement, the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy will develop and operate an AI-enhanced metals preprocessing unit, which includes machine learning models exclusively owned by the Academy, in addition to specialized supporting equipment.

The unit will be adopted in the mineral processing workflow within the "MENEX" operations sites, with the aim of improving extraction rates, enhancing operational efficiency, and realizing value from mineral materials that were not previously economically viable.

This collaboration combines the capabilities of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy in applied research and artificial intelligence with the extensive operational presence of Menx in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Dr. Yasser Alwahedi, President of Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, said: “Employing applied research and artificial intelligence within actual operational environments enables innovation to achieve a tangible industrial impact. This collaboration embodies ways to employ advanced engineering and artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency, performance and sustainability in metal processing operations, reflecting Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s commitment to technological leadership and value maximization.”

For his part, Mansour Humayun, co-founder and chairman of Menex, said: “The ability to raise the quality of low-grade materials in an economically viable and export-standard manner is one of the major challenges for tin, tungsten and tantalum supply chains across the Democratic Republic of Congo. This partnership combines applied artificial intelligence, a long-term investment commitment and operational efficiency to address this challenge on a large scale.”

This agreement is in line with Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s broader strategic direction in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and follows the signing of a preliminary agreement to develop and operate a multi-purpose terminal at the country’s Matadi port.

The integration of port infrastructure and the enhancement of value in the early stages of the supply chain, supported by artificial intelligence technologies, contribute to solidifying Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s role as an integrated trade enabler. Furthermore, this collaboration highlights Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s growing contribution to African markets, extending its reach beyond port infrastructure and logistics services by leveraging advanced digital technologies to create added value across industrial sectors.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is strategically located in the heart of Central Africa, making it a vital regional trade gateway. These initiatives reflect a shared commitment to strengthening the country's ties to global markets and supporting long-term sustainable economic development

Exciting partnership! ADMA in partnership with Minexx will deploy AI ore sorting in DRC to turn low-grade minerals into export gold! Boosting efficiency & African trade.#ADMA #Minexx #AI #DRC #MiningTech #AfricaGrowth pic.twitter.com/myOGoLdPF4

— Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy (@AdmacademyUAE) April 8, 2026