At a time when millions of South Africans are struggling to find work, a major expansion by chrome mining contractor MySol Holdings and Logistics is expected to create nearly 200 jobs as the company strengthens its mining fleet with 40 new Volvo machines.

Founded by Solomon “Solly” Soka Madibela, MySol has taken delivery of 10 E950 excavators and 30 A40G articulated dump trucks, taking the company’s Volvo fleet to about 150 machines.

The expansion will require additional machine operators, mechanics, shift crews and support personnel as the new equipment is deployed across multiple shifts.

For communities surrounding South Africa’s mining operations, the investment could translate into more than additional machinery on mine sites. It is also expected to create new employment and skills development opportunities at a time when the country’s jobs crisis remains severe.

MySol’s Fleet Expansion Comes Amid High Unemployment

South Africa’s unemployment crisis continues to place pressure on households and communities across the country.

The official unemployment rate stood at 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026, while the expanded unemployment rate, which includes discouraged work seekers, reached 43.7%.

Against that backdrop, MySol’s expected creation of nearly 200 jobs highlights the potential local impact of private investment in the mining sector.

The company’s latest acquisition forms part of a much larger growth story.

Since its establishment in 2018, MySol has expanded from a relatively small operation with about 38 employees into a business employing an estimated 2,500 people.

Its investment in excavators and articulated dump trucks has reportedly surpassed R200 million.

From 50,000 Tonnes to 450,000 Tonnes a Month

The scale of MySol’s growth is also reflected in its chrome ore production.

When the company was established, it produced roughly 50,000 tonnes of chrome ore a month.

That figure has since risen to as much as 450,000 tonnes a month, according to the company.

The latest Volvo acquisition is expected to provide additional capacity as MySol continues to expand its operations.

The new machines will be deployed across multiple shifts, increasing the demand for skilled and semi skilled workers required to keep a large mining operation running.

That includes equipment operators and mechanics, as well as shift crews and other support staff.

MySol Targets 200 Volvo Machines by End of 2026

Madibela is not stopping with the latest 40 machines.

The company’s stated target is to increase its Volvo fleet to 200 machines by the end of 2026, with an eventual goal of operating a total fleet of 300 units.

If achieved, that expansion would further increase the scale of MySol’s operations and potentially create additional demand for workers with technical, operational and mining related skills.

The growth also reflects the increasingly capital intensive nature of modern mining, where heavy equipment plays a central role in moving ore and maintaining production levels.

Mining Expansion Extends Beyond Machinery

MySol says its focus extends beyond production and fleet expansion.

Through its work in mining communities, the company says it is pursuing local recruitment, skills development and operator training to create opportunities for people living near its operations.

The MySol Foundation also supports bursary programmes aimed at helping young people gain access to education and develop skills that could improve their future employment prospects.

For communities that depend heavily on mining activity, such initiatives can provide a pathway into the industry beyond direct employment on mine sites.

A Small Contribution to a Much Bigger Jobs Crisis

MySol’s expansion alone will not solve South Africa’s unemployment crisis.

But the expected creation of nearly 200 jobs demonstrates how investment in productive capacity can have an impact beyond the purchase of machinery.

As companies expand, they require people to operate, maintain and support their growing operations. That demand can create opportunities for workers while also building technical skills within communities.

MySol’s latest investment therefore represents more than 40 new Volvo machines entering its fleet.

It is another step in a rapid expansion that has seen the company grow from a workforce of fewer than 40 people in 2018 to an estimated 2,500 workers, while its monthly chrome production has increased several times over.

With plans for 200 Volvo machines by the end of 2026 and an eventual fleet of 300, the next phase of MySol’s growth could bring further changes to both its operations and the communities that depend on the mining industry for employment.

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