The second Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project has arrived at Maydon Wharf in Durban, South Africa, marking a major step forward in the region’s most ambitious water infrastructure project.
The first shipment of the machine’s components is expected to cross the border into Lesotho early next week. Among the incoming parts is the cutter head—the core component responsible for boring through rock—as well as other key mechanical assemblies needed to begin tunnelling operations.
The Polihali TBM will excavate a 38-kilometre tunnel from the Polihali intake, forming part of the vital Polihali Transfer Tunnel. This underground passage will eventually channel water to South Africa and help generate hydroelectric power for Lesotho.
The new machine follows in the tracks of its predecessor, the Katse TBM—locally known as Khoiti ea Ngoaha Kholo (KENK2)—which played a pivotal role in previous phases of the project.
