Control Systems Technology (CST), a global provider of high-accuracy belt weighing systems and bulk materials measurement solutions, has announced a distributorship partnership with Northwold Investments Ltd at Electra Mining Africa.
Under the agreement, Northwold becomes CST’s accredited local partner and distributor for Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Malawi.
The agreement was signed on 27 August 2026 by Lauren Burrell, Managing Director of CST, and Alinani Simumba, Director Operations of Northwold Investments.
Industry observers have described it as one of the event’s most significant African-Australian METS collaborations.
The timing is notable, coming as mining activity across Zambia and the DRC continues to accelerate amid rising global demand for copper, cobalt and other critical minerals.
The partnership brings together two established industry players.
CST contributes more than 40 years of global engineering experience and what it describes as the world’s only accuracy guarantee for conveyor belt weighing.
Northwold adds over 18 years of regional leadership, underpinned by its existing strategic relationship with Mettler Toledo, a recognised authority in industrial weighing and precision instrumentation.
For mining and bulk materials handling operations across the region, the deal expands access to CST’s full range of belt weighing systems and OEM spare parts through a local, trusted channel.
Customers will receive on-the-ground support from Northwold personnel, supplemented by CST’s Remote Care support services.
Together, the companies say this model offers responsive local service, technical guidance and ongoing assistance that helps operators maintain warranty requirements and quality assurance standards while supporting long-term system performance.
The companies note that this approach is intended to reduce downtime and limit reconciliation disputes, reinforcing commercial integrity from pit to port.
Over the next 12 to 24 months, CST plans to deliver ongoing technical training for Northwold’s engineers and technicians across its belt weighing systems and technologies.
Both organisations will also work with the Zambia Metrology Agency to support compliance with recognised local and international metrology standards.
Burrell said the Copperbelt region straddling Zambia and the DRC is one where customers need trusted local support paired with global expertise.
“Northwold Investments strengthens our regional capability, helping us deliver responsive service, genuine CST spare parts and dependable measurement accuracy,” she said.
Simumba struck a similar note, pointing to the scale of the opportunity ahead.
“The partnership positions both organisations at the forefront of Africa’s mining future, where precision, transparency and compliance are becoming non-negotiable,” he said, adding that Northwold’s operational coverage across the Copperbelt, North-Western Province, Kolwezi and Lubumbashi would complement CST’s technologies, including IntelliRoll and MaVIS-ARM.
CST and Northwold say the partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting mining houses with reliable, compliant and future-ready measurement solutions capable of meeting the demands of modern production and global export markets.
The partnership takes effect immediately, positioning both companies to meet growing demand for accurate, reliable and service-driven belt weighing systems throughout Zambia, the DRC and Malawi.