After more than five decades of serving the global mining industry, Aramine has launched ARAMAC, a new company dedicated exclusively to the design, manufacture and distribution of underground mining equipment and related mining solutions.
The move marks a significant milestone in Aramine’s evolution, giving a distinct identity to a business segment that has been developed over the past 20 years and has grown into an internationally recognised manufacturer of underground mining equipment.
Aramine has built its reputation by supporting mining operations worldwide with equipment, spare parts and technical services. Through close collaboration with customers, the company developed a deep understanding of the operational challenges faced underground. This experience laid the foundation for the development of its own mining machines and the gradual expansion of a comprehensive equipment portfolio.
Under the new structure, ARAMAC will focus exclusively on underground mining equipment, while Aramine will continue to strengthen its spare parts and components business, including its SmartParts® programme.
Although the two businesses will operate independently, ownership and leadership remain within the Melkonian family. Marc Melkonian will lead ARAMAC, Christophe Melkonian will head Aramine, and Geneviève Melkonian will serve as Co-President of both organisations, ensuring strategic continuity as each company pursues its own growth objectives.
ARAMAC’s ambition is to become a leading supplier of equipment for underground mining operations with cross-sections of up to 16 m². The company’s equipment journey began in 2008 with the introduction of the L130E loader, designed specifically for narrow-vein mining applications and featuring pioneering cable-electric technology. Since then, more than 500 ARAMAC machines have been deployed across 34 countries, establishing a reputation for reliability, durability and innovation.
The company was also an early adopter of battery-electric technology, launching its first battery-powered loader, the L140B, in 2016. Today, ARAMAC offers a battery-electric range that includes three loaders with capacities ranging from 1.3 t to 6.2 t, with a battery-electric truck currently under development. The company also supplies autonomous mining equipment that is already operating in active production environments.
In addition to its own product range, ARAMAC distributes specialised underground mining equipment from selected international manufacturers. These include Lorenzana’s explosive charging and concrete spraying systems, as well as Atlas Copco air compressors and Astec crushing solutions in West African markets.
The establishment of ARAMAC brings together engineering, manufacturing, sales, aftersales support, training and customer service functions under a single brand identity. According to the company, this integrated structure will accelerate product development, strengthen customer support and support continued international expansion.
To accommodate future growth, ARAMAC plans to open a new headquarters in 2027 near its existing production facility in Gardanne, southern France. Located on a former mining site, the new facility will consolidate operations and significantly increase production capacity to meet growing global demand.
The launch is also accompanied by a new corporate identity that will be progressively introduced across marketing materials, technical documentation, commercial platforms and a dedicated website.
“ARAMAC combines the agility and ambition of a start-up with more than five decades of industrial expertise,” said Marc Melkonian, Co-President of ARAMAC. “We are building the future of underground mining on solid foundations, driven by innovation, customer proximity and a clear vision for the years ahead.”