Beyond Concrete: How TITAN is Transforming Heavy-Duty Rail Crossings in Mining

Beyond Concrete: How TITAN is Transforming Heavy-Duty Rail Crossings in Mining

Built for the Realities of Modern Mining

In Southern Africa’s evolving mining landscape, the ability to move vast volumes of material across rail infrastructure without compromising safety or productivity is critical. Operations in the DRC and Zambia, in particular, demand solutions that can endure the relentless pressure of heavy-duty vehicles while ensuring the long-term integrity of the railway network.

Traditional level crossing systems, especially those using concrete, often fall short in these extreme environments. While initially robust, concrete can crack, crumble, and spall under repeated impact from haul trucks, ballast tractors, and other mining traffic—leading to safety hazards, production downtime, and rising maintenance costs.

Introducing TITAN: Mining-Grade Strength, Proven Performance

Developed by UK-based Rosehill Rail, the TITAN system is a modular, heavy-duty crossing solution engineered specifically for the mining sector. Manufactured from recycled tyre rubber using a proprietary cold cure process, TITAN combines the compressive strength of steel with the surface deflection of rubber.

Designed for extreme applications, TITAN effortlessly supports the weight of the largest mining vehicles in operation across Africa—making it a future-proof choice for demanding industrial sites.

“TITAN achieves performance levels previously unheard of in rubber-based crossings,” says Daniel Snell, Business Development Manager at Rosehill Rail. “It’s quickly becoming the go-to replacement for concrete in mining applications worldwide.”

Tested in Tough Terrain: Koodaideri Iron Ore Mine

The capabilities of the TITAN system have been proven at Rio Tinto’s Koodaideri iron ore mine in Western Australia, where conditions mirror many of those found in African mining operations.

The Koodaideri mine processes 43 million tonnes of iron ore annually. The 166-kilometer rail line is crossed daily by dozens of fully loaded road trains and other heavy mining vehicles. Faced with intense heat, remote access, and relentless weight, Rio Tinto needed a solution both durable and practical. They chose TITAN.

A Smart Fit for African Mining Operations

For operations across the DRC and Zambia, TITAN offers five key advantages:

  1. Rapid Installation
    With its innovative LINK connector system and Rosehill Lifting Pins, TITAN panels are easily installed with minimal disruption to mining or rail activity.
  2. Durability in Harsh Conditions
    Compression moulding ensures panels resist warping and gapping—delivering long-term durability even in extreme heat and high-impact environments.
  3. Custom Fit, Any Track
    TITAN is compatible with any track gauge, rail type, clip, or sleeper—ideal for the diverse rail setups across Southern Africa.
  4. Sustainable Construction
    Made from recycled tyres, TITAN supports environmentally responsible mining practices.
  5. Reduced Lifetime Costs
    Unlike concrete, TITAN won’t crack or degrade under pressure—cutting maintenance needs and extending service life.

Future-Proofing Africa’s Mining Infrastructure

As mining operations grow in size and complexity, infrastructure must evolve in kind. Rosehill Rail’s TITAN system is already delivering proven results under the world’s harshest conditions—and now stands ready to support the next generation of mining projects across Africa.

For more information visit rosehillrail.com or call +44 (0)1422 839 610

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