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In this issue of Business Pursuit, we journey across continents and industries, highlighting the remarkable achievements and aspirations of diverse businesses. From the sprawling copper mines of Zambia to the innovative shipping solutions navigating global waters, we delve into the stories that shape the modern business landscape.
British American Tobacco exemplifies adaptability with its wide array of products tailored to diverse markets, while Mopani Copper Mines stands as a testament to Zambia’s rich mining heritage. Inchcape Shipping Services showcases the relentless spirit of progress, constantly moving forward, inch by inch or mile by mile. Kansanshi Mining Plc’s commitment to digging deep to reach new heights is a lesson in perseverance and ambition. And Terracom Limited fuels our collective future with its innovative energy solutions.
Each of these companies, in their own way, embodies the spirit of Business Pursuit – the relentless drive for growth, innovation, and success. We invite you to explore their stories and discover the insights that lie within.
Join us as we celebrate the businesses that are shaping our world and inspiring the pursuit of excellence.
Charles Brown Business Development Manager
Diverse products for diverse markets
Foylan Rhodes
Although part of the British American Tobacco Group, BAT West and Central Africa, which covers the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa (AmSSA), one of four regions that make up the British American Tobacco Group, has had a diverse and interesting history getting to this stage.
Business Pursuit explores.
Part Of A Bigger Player
Not a small business segment by any means, BATWCA is still just part of the world’s leading tobacco group with brands that are sold worldwide. As part of this, they fall under the guiding corporate mandate of the group which proclaims, “To build A Better Tomorrow™”. The approach to achieving this is by reducing the health impact of their products through offering a greater choice of enjoyable and less risky options.
BAT Group
Founded in 1902, today the group is a truly global company which employs more than 55,000 people worldwide and operates in over 180 markets with factories in more than 40 countries. The Group’s global business is divided into four regions and covers over 150 million consumers and 11 million retail points of sale, with a balanced presence in both highgrowth emerging and developed markets.
Today, BAT’s diverse portfolio comprises of cigarettes, vapour products, tobacco heating products, and modern oral (tobaccofree) products, as well as traditional oral products such as snus and moist snuff. The Group’s head office is in London and the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Despite changes in the market for their products, in 2019 the Group generated revenue of £25.8 billion, with £9 billion of that being profit.
In Focus: The First Presence In West And Central Africa
BAT’s business presence in the West and Central Africa Area spans over a century, beginning with its acquisition of an equity interest in the Nigerian Tobacco Company in 1912. By 1978, the NTC, under co-ownership of BAT, and the Nigerian Government had three operational factories located in Nigeria’s Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Zaria.
In July 2000, BAT incorporated British American Tobacco (Nigeria) Limited and merged it with NTC in November of the same year. BATN kept its name after the merger and became a fully owned subsidiary of the BAT Group. Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, British American Tobacco Nigeria made a commitment to work with the Nigerian government in four key areas
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including the regularisation of the tobacco sector, the building of potential for regional exports, the increase in the quality and quantity of tobacco grown in Nigeria and finally the establishment of an independent Foundation to engender rural socio- economic development.
As part of its commitment to these terms BATN engaged in the construction of a state-of-the-art factory in Ibadan, Oyo State. The factory was commissioned and began operations on June 17th, 2003. It is through this manufacturing hub, that the company produces and exports their products to the fourteen markets in West and Central Africa.
This historical timeline tells the story of their expansion in the West and Central Africa Area over the last century. Currently they have ten legal entities, with three in the West and Central African Market Clusters and are active in sixteen markets. Of the fourteen African markets mentioned earlier, these include Ghana, Cameroun, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Benin, Togo, Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Liberia) with Nigeria as the manufacturing hub.
Responsible Marketing And Youth Access Prevention
The company’s area director, Yarub Al-
While we operate in a dynamic, complex and competitive environment, our business has always been guided by the highest standards of excellence.
Bahrani, has seen many changes in the marketplace of the years as the industry has navigated change in laws and opinions. He joined Rothmans in 1996 as a management trainee and his career took him through Yemen and Saudi Arabia which were followed by numerous roles in brands across both the Middle East and the Lucky Strike IBG.
In 2009, Yarub moved to Egypt as Head of Marketing and in 2012 to Kazakhstan as Area Head of Marketing Caucasus & Central Asia. He then spent a year in EEMEA Region as Marketing Deployment Manager before moving to Nigeria as West Africa Marketing Director in October 2016. In 2019, he was appointed Area Director for West Africa Area (now West & Central Africa Area). With this depth of market understanding he explains that BAT West and Central Africa, have to be guided by the Group’s International Marketing Principles (IMP) and Youth Access Prevention (YAP) which emphasises responsible marketing of their products.
“As the industry changes, we have expanded our guidelines on Youth Access Prevention to cover New Category products too,” he says, “While we operate in a dynamic, complex and competitive environment, our business has always been guided by the highest standards of excellence.”
He goes on to explain that they act with integrity, never compromising their standards
and ethics, and continually take active steps to ensure that their products are not accessible to children or persons under the legally acceptable age.
“For us,” he says, “Responsible marketing plays an important role in growing our business, and we ensure that ours is only directed at adult consumers; we support retailers with proof-of-age schemes and awareness training.”
Creating A Great Place To Work
According to Yarub their employees are their greatest assets. The quality of their people is a major reason why they continue to perform well – and why they are so excited about the future as they work together to deliver their purpose to build A Better Tomorrow™
Part of this is attracting and retaining experienced managers and graduate trainees who look forward to a challenging and rewarding career. Their company’s employment policies include a commitment to equal opportunity, which prohibits any form of discrimination, ethnic or religious bias.
“And the way the thousands of employees operate is embodied in the BAT Ethos,” he adds, “Which underpins the company culture and guides how we deliver on our strategy. On multiple occasions they have been certified by Top Employer Institute as ‘A Great Place to Work’.”
A Rich Zambian Heritage
Foylan Rhodes
Mopani Copper Mines
Mopani Copper Mines Plc is a multifaceted mining investment with operations in Kitwe and Mufulira districts of the Copperbelt Province. The company’s operations encompass the full range of the copper production chain: from extracting the ore underground to concentrating, smelting, refining, and packaging the finished red metal for export.
A Zambian registered entity, Mopani Copper Mines Plc is owned by ZCCM Investment Holdings Plc, a diversified mining investments and operations company with a primary listing on the Lusaka Securities Exchange in Zambia, and secondary listings on the London Stock Exchange in the United Kingdom and the Euronext Access Exchange in Paris, France.
ZCCM assumed ownership of Mopani Copper Mines Plc in 2021 after buying off the majority stake in the mine from Carlisa Investments – a joint venture between Swiss commodity trader Glencore and Canadian-based First Quantum Minerals – which ran Mopani from privatisation in 2000.
In Focus
With a rich history in mining and processing dating back to the 1930s, Mopani’s assets in Kitwe and Mufulira include underground mines, concentrators,
a smelter, and a refinery. Mopani Copper Mines Plc continues to upgrade its infrastructure by investing in new technologies to increase production and improve efficiencies. The new infrastructure includes three deep shafts (Synclinorium, Mindola and Henderson), which were sunk and equipped between 2014 and 2021 to extend the life of the mine by over 25 years, safeguard the existing jobs at both mine sites and ensure Mopani’s continuous contribution to Zambia’s economic development.
Mopani Copper Mines Plc remains committed to supporting the social-economic development of the host communities through its robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. The company supports the development of sports, local enterprises, education, health, basic infrastructure as well as water and sanitation in the communities of Kitwe and Mufulira.
Operations
Mopani Copper Mines has ensured that it makes the most of what it has and operates in a range of mining approaches, namely shafts, pits, exploration, and processing.
Shafts
Mopani Copper Mines PLC has since 2014 sunk and equipped three shafts to replace the old
infrastructure at both Nkana and Mufulira mine sites, which dates to the 1930s. The three new shafts are Syclinorium and Mindola Deeps Shafts at Nkana Mine in Kitwe and The Henderson Shaft at Mufulira Mine site. Mopani has also built a brand new Concentrator at Nkana mine site, The New Syclinorium Concentrator.
The new infrastructure is expected to extend the life of the mine by over 25 years, improve production efficiencies and safeguard the existing jobs while guaranteeing Mopani’s continued contribution to growing the Zambian economy.
Pit Mining
Mopani Copper Mines PLC owns several open pit mines at Nkana Mine Site in Kitwe, which are no longer active, namely, Area D, Area E, Area J, Area K, Area Nose and Mindola Open Pit. Mindolo open pit, Area D and Area E open pit mines ceased operations in 2012 whilst Area J, Area K and Area Nose ceased operations in 2017 after mining became uneconomical at the pits.
Exploration
Mopani Copper Mines PLC continues to undertake Exploration Drilling at both Nkana and Mufulira Mine Sites. This is expected to help
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increase the resource and reserve base of the Company thereby extending the life of the mine.
Processing
Nkana & Mufulira Concentrator
Mopani Copper Mines PLC operates three Concentrators: two at Nkana Mine Site in Kitwe and one at Mufulira Mine Site. The New Nkana Synclinorium Concentrator in Kitwe was commissioned in March 2022 and is expected to improve recoveries and improve production efficiencies while the Old Nkana Concentrator, which has been in operation since the 1930s, has since been placed under Care and Maintenance. The copper concentrates from the New Nkana Synclinorium Concentrator are trucked to Mufulira and together with those from the Mufulira Concentrator, are fed into the Smelter at Mufulira Mine Site for smelting and processing to produce Copper Anodes.
The Heart Of The Mine
Mopani Copper Mines PLC owns the Mufulira ISA Smelter, where concentrates coming from Mufulira and Nkana Concentrators are blended with Toll concentrates from other sources to produce Copper Anodes containing 99.6 percent copper. The Upgraded Smelter is equipped with two acid plants, which capture up to 95 percent sulphur dioxide and convert it to Sulphuric Acid as part of their commitment towards maintaining a clean atmospheric environment.
Mopani Copper Mines PLC’s Refinery has the capacity to produce 220,000 tonnes of copper cathode per annum. At the Refinery, copper anodes coming from the Smelter are electrorefined to produce cathodes with 99.999 percent Copper and conforming to LME grade ‘A’. Mopani Copper Mines PLC cathodes are among the purest in the world and we bundle them with pride for export.
Settling Issues
With the ZCCM deal being finalised, Mopani Copper Mines PLC has taken the initiative and started clearing the outstanding payments to contractors and suppliers following the inflow of funding.
Many of the contractors, who had demobilised their equipment, have since started re-mobilising after receiving some payments, which have enabled them to also embark on clearing their obligations to their employees.
Speaking when he met the contractors and suppliers in Kitwe, Mopani Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Charles Sakanya and Mr Ravi Sharma, the representative of IRH, stated that the company had set a target to significantly reduce outstanding obligations during the first quarter of 2024.
“I wish to profoundly thank all of you for standing with us as true partners over the past four years to ensure Mopani survived. You demonstrated true partnership and resilience with your ‘never-say-die’ spirit. Now it’s time to
work together and make Mopani successful,” Mr. Sakanya said.
“The remainder of the overdue payments will be settled in instalments over the next few months. The plan is to work hard to meet set targets safely and cost-effectively.”
The Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors of Zambia president, Mr. Costa Mwaba, commended Mopani for prioritising the payment of outstanding dues to the local vendors, which he said would play a key role in bringing life back to the Copperbelt and the country.
“We take this opportunity to commend you for the job well done under very difficult circumstances. We can see the smiles returning on the faces of our people in Kitwe and Mufulira as well as the whole country as payments continue to flow to the suppliers and contractors. This is very good news for the country, which will have a positive impact on the performance of the economy” said Mr. Mwaba.
Inchcape Shipping Services
By Inch Or Mile Keep Moving
Donnie Rust
Despite its extensive history, ISS is a company that steadfastly avoids stagnation, propelled by a wave of ongoing growth and adaptation, supported by the robust foundation of its core strengths to consistently meet the contemporary demands of worldwide shipping.
Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) holds a central position in Africa’s maritime domain, acting as a fundamental element for effective and trustworthy shipping endeavours throughout the continent. Leveraging a strong network that reaches vital ports and strategic sites, ISS enables fluid logistical arrangements, guaranteeing seamless vessel operations and cargo management. Its proficiency transcends conventional logistics, encompassing regulatory adherence, port agency provisions, and cutting-edge technological innovations tailored to the distinct challenges of African waters. With Africa’s maritime commerce on a continuous rise, ISS remains a dependable ally, empowering enterprises to navigate intricacies and harness the abundant opportunities present within the region.
Global Influence
Established in 1847 and boasting a global presence in over 2200 ports, Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) stands as an enduring
figure in the maritime sector, delivering unparalleled expertise and assistance to businesses worldwide. With a rich history spanning more than a century and a half, ISS has transformed into a leading global entity, specializing in a wide array of services such as port agency, marine and offshore logistics, bunker calls, and hub agency solutions. With a dedicated workforce exceeding 3,000 professionals spread across 68 countries, ISS ensures swift and effective operations for its esteemed clientele. As enterprises seek dependable partners to navigate the intricacies of international trade, ISS remains unwavering in its dedication to excellence and innovation.
According to CEO Frank Olsen, ISS is a widely recognized name across the shipping industry, with many having engaged in business dealings with the company. He remarks, “It’s quite remarkable in today’s world to encounter a brand with over a century of legacy, nearing two centuries, with a corresponding global presence.”
Unlike other businesses that have undergone significant transformations over the years, Olsen highlights that despite its evolution, ISS has maintained the core of its services since its inception nearly two centuries ago. “The fundamental needs of the industry have largely remained constant, and we continue to provide the foundational
services we began with,” he notes.
For ISS, this consistency serves as a significant competitive advantage, reinforcing the brand’s credibility through a proven track record. It also illustrates how, despite changes in approaches and technologies, the industry’s challenges persist, allowing the company to offer a wealth of accumulated expertise in addressing them.
The Difference
Discussing their strategies, ISS integrates port agency, marine services, and digital solutions with a sector-agnostic approach to complement their extensive geographical reach. Catering to vessels of all types, from superyachts to cruise ships, navy vessels, tankers, and bulk carriers, ISS offers support across the maritime spectrum.
CEO Olsen emphasizes, “Regardless of your involvement in maritime assets, whether ship management, ownership, or cargo trading, ISS is equipped to provide support services.”
Navigating the volatile global shipping industry, ISS leverages its heritage and worldwide network to fortify resilience honed through experience. Olsen notes the fragmentation of the port agency market, highlighting ISS’s global reach as a boon for clients.
Navigator Shipping co.
Navigator Shipping Agency: Elevating Logistics Excellence Across Diverse Industries.
In the dynamic realm of global logistics, Navigator Shipping Agency emerges as a trusted leader, delivering unparalleled expertise and operational excellence across a spectrum of industries in Libya and beyond. Established in 2011 by Captain Tarek Shokri in Tripoli, this agency has honed its prowess in navigating complex regulations and port operations, facilitating seamless shipping operations for a diverse clientele in all Libyan Ports.
Commitment to Safety and Compliance.
At Navigator Shipping Agency, safety and compliance are non-negotiable priorities across all operations. The agency upholds stringent safety protocols and adheres to international maritime regulations, providing clients with peace of mind throughout the shipping process.
Versatile Expertise in Shipping Logistics.
Navigator Shipping Agency boasts a multifaceted team with extensive experience in handling diverse shipping requirements beyond oil and gas. Whether it’s managing cargo for industries like manufacturing, agriculture, or consumer goods, the agency’s seasoned professionals ensure meticulous planning and execution, tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Efficient Port Operations Across Industries.
Years of operational experience within Libyan ports empower Navigator Shipping Agency to anticipate challenges and optimize port operations for various industries. From handling agricultural exports to managing manufacturing imports, the agency streamlines loading, unloading, and customs clearance processes for maximum efficiency.
“At Navigator Shipping Company, we don’t just navigate seas; we navigate excellence in every service, ensuring the highest standards for our Principals and partners.”
- Excellence in Service
Comprehensive Suite of Shipping Services
Beyond its local expertise, Navigator Shipping Agency offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to diverse industries, including:
1. Stevedoring Services: Expert loading, stowage, and discharge operations for various cargo types, with a focus on safety and efficiency.
2. Handling Services: Providing a wide selection of food items, beverages, and equipment catering to ships’ crew needs, ensuring exceptional onboard experiences.
3. Freight Forwarding: Seamlessly connecting Libya with global destinations, guaranteeing the safe and timely delivery of cargo with meticulous attention to legal compliance.
4. Hub Agent Services: Managing interactions with Customs and Port Authorities, optimizing port experiences, and minimizing operational costs for clients.
5. Protecting Agent Services: Navigating complex regulatory landscapes and safeguarding client interests through transparent and compliant practices.
6. Husbandry Agent Services: Ensuring fast vessel turnarounds at ports, handling crew needs, fuel supplies, and repair coordination with efficiency.
Strategic Partnership Beyond Industry Boundaries.
Navigator Shipping Agency transcends the role of a conventional service provider by cultivating strategic partnerships with clients across industries. By leveraging international expertise and local insights, the agency develops customized solutions that optimize logistics operations and drive business success.
Pioneering Logistics Excellence Across Industries.
Navigator Shipping Agency’s success story illuminates the pivotal role of logistics in various sectors beyond oil and gas. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, efficiency, and client satisfaction, the agency pioneer’s logistics solutions that elevate Libya’s prominence across diverse industries.
The Navigator Shipping Agency Team: Pioneers of Operational Excellence.
Navigator Shipping Agency operates with a cohesive and experienced team dedicated to logistics excellence. From operations and compliance to customer support and logistics planning, the team’s collective expertise ensures seamless operations and fosters strong client relationships.
In summary, Navigator Shipping Agency emerges as a beacon of logistics excellence across diverse industries, offering tailored solutions, unmatched expertise, and unwavering commitment to safety and client satisfaction. Through strategic partnerships and operational ingenuity, Navigator Shipping Agency continues to redefine logistics standards, driving business growth and innovation in Libya’s evolving market landscape.
He explains, “Our global network enables us to support clients wherever needed, under the framework of a large multinational company.”
This global presence ensures compliance with health, safety, and ethical standards, along with robust procurement practices and adherence to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) guidelines.
In the modern landscape, these capabilities are pivotal. ISS’s history includes involvement in conflicts such as the World Wars and aiding allied forces in the Middle East. Today, amidst ongoing conflicts in regions like Ukraine, Israel, and Iran, ISS plays a vital role in enforcing sanctions against foreign entities.
ISS’s reputation for handling such situations breeds customer confidence, backed by their extensive experience and capability to navigate complex scenarios.
Furthermore, ISS’s global network enables the collection of vast data and analytics, providing proactive insights to clients based on transaction history, port usage, intended operations, and potential challenges.
Handling Risks Impacting Global Shipping In 2024
Data that can affect the security of voyages is paramount especially during periods of conflict because this information affects the safety of crew, vessels, and cargo. Robert Peters, associate director of risk analytics at maritime security risk management specialist Ambrey, and Ian Wilkinson, vice president of sales excellence at Inchcape Shipping Services, surveyed the key security threats that emerged in 2023 and how they might develop in the next 12 months. It is impossible to predict the outcomes or activities during conflicts and the best that can be done is for information to be provided that is accurate and in detail.
Israel-Gaza conflict
The number of air raid alerts per day over port cities in Israel dramatically reduced after the first couple of days of the conflict and there have been zero crew casualties or merchant vessel losses. The Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) capability is now largely exhausted or destroyed. As a result, the risk to vessels calling at Ashkelon and Ashdod has reduced considerably. Post-conflict security arrangements will be critical. Right now, a longer ceasefire is under discussion, but time will tell how this plays out.
In terms of regionalisation of the conflict, Hezbollah and some Hamas units in Lebanon joined the conflict on 8 October. Most air raid alerts have been limited to the confrontation line in northern Israel. Hezbollah has not wanted or needed a full-scale conflict. Simply displacing Israeli settlers in these areas is victory enough. Hezbollah largely respected the November ceasefire. Israel is exploring diplomatic avenues for a resolution but has left military options on the table.
Meanwhile, the Houthis started to target Israeli territory from 19 October. Eilat port calls have fallen considerably as a result. However, due to the distance to Israeli territory and
interceptions by the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Israel since 14 November they refocused on threatening merchant shipping. Threats to specific vessels decreased as vessel traffic rerouted but have increased following the US and UK strikes. Attempted targeting by UAVs or missiles on Israeli, US or UK-affiliated merchant vessels is now likely. So far there have been no injuries or fatalities but there have been near misses, which is a threat to life.
In the short term, more vessels associated with Israel, the US and UK will re-route but purely Chinese, Russian, Greek, Singaporean and Turkish shipping is highly unlikely to be impacted. There is assessed to be a continuing Houthi threat to Israel-owned shipping after the conflict is resolved or there is a prolonged ceasefire, largely because of Houthi anti-Zionist rhetoric and local support in Yemen. They retain the capability to target vessels in an even broader area.
The Iranian threat
Iran has targeted merchant vessels for two main reasons, the first related to sanctions. For example, in 2023, the US seized Iranian oil onboard the tanker Suez Rajan and issued a multimillion-dollar fine. In response, Iran seized a tanker carrying US-bound cargo and harassed other US merchant ships. Later they seized the St Nikolas (ex-Suez Rajan) when it returned to the area. This kind of tit-for-tat has been ongoing since July 2019, when the British seized an Iranian cargo off Gibraltar. Secondly, the Iranians have also been targeting Israeli-owned ships using UAVs since at least February 2021 as part of a ‘grey zone’ conflict between the two countries.
Other potential disruptions to shipping.
Weather is increasingly going to impact shipping. Port Louis has been closed off and on over the past few weeks due to cyclones. Civil disturbance is another potential source of port disruption, such as the situation in Ecuador and in Papua New Guinea, which is in a state of emergency. Strikes have also caused disruption in Australia and France.
One crime issue on the rise is narcotics, not only on ships heading for Europe, but also in Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia and even China. Stowaways are an issue for those sailing around the Cape of Good Hope from Western Sahara. Inchcape/Ambrey offer canine narcotics inspections and stowaway inspections to mitigate these problems.
Reliable information is vital in times of crisis.
Regarding all these risks, the core recommendations are, firstly, to build a network of trusted data and service providers. Inchcape’s strength is human intelligence on the ground in ports while Ambrey offers both armed security guards, unarmed liaison officers and its Fathom, Guardian, and Sentinel digital platforms. Secondly, conduct thorough risk assessments for every voyage. Ensure crew are aware of the risks and trained accordingly. Remember the five Ps – Perfect Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.
Kansanshi Mining Plc
Digging deep to rise high
Foylan Rhodes
13th
Our global economy relies heavily on mining to fuel the comfortable lifestyles we enjoy. From precious metals to fossil fuels, minerals extracted from the earth’s crust are integral to manufacturing, construction, energy production, and technological advancements. In this article, we look at Kansanshi Mining PLC, exploring their mineral wealth, production capabilities, and the significant role they play in shaping the mining landscape in Africa.
July 2018 is the date of scientific fruition for South Africa and the global astrophysics community with the launch of the MeerKAT radio telescope. Putting into context the magnitude of this technology being released, Fernando Camilo, chief scientist at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory which built and operates the telescope had said “MeerKAT will address some of the key science questions in modern astrophysics – how did galaxies form, how are they evolving, how did we come to be here... and for those purposes MeerKAT is the best in the world,”
Located ten kilometres north of Solwezi Town on Old Congo Road, Kansanshi Mine is one of the oldest mines in Africa and its lineage of copper smelting can be traced back to the 4th Century. The largest copper producer by output in Zambia, it is 20% owned by ZCCM-IH, with the balance owned by First Quantum Minerals Limited. While the last seventeen centuries of the mine’s existence would almost certainly make for insightful reading, it is the most recent developments over the last year that we are most interested in.
Consolidation In 2023
To increase efficiency, in mid-2023, First Quantum Minerals consolidated multiple divisions including road and earthworks, mining and related services that they were carrying out at Kansanshi Mining Plc.
The history of the MeerKAT is an interesting development with South Africa’s drive to co-host the admirable project of the SKA (Square Kilometer Array). The SKA Organisation is a not-for money project with the clear goal of exceeding the Hubble Space Telescope by providing a superior image aiming to be 50 times better in resolution. Eleven countries are currently members of the SKA Organisation – Australia, Canada, China, Germany, India (associate member), Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. South Africa and Australia as for now co-hosts in the
site of South Africa’s Karoo region and Western Australia’s Murchison Shire due to prime regions of radio silence and atmospherics. SKA goals are looking more promising due to the development of the MeerKAT and how it can be used to benefit the crossnational development of the SKA. For South Africa, the MeerKAT is a demonstration for their ability to host the SKA. Built in the semi-desert Karoo region north of Cape Town, its name is a humorous play on words: “meer” means “more” in Afrikaans, as in “more KAT”. When spoken out loud, it refers to the native mammal in Karoo which is famed for standing on its hind legs to view more clearly.
Following the expansion of the First Quantum operations in Zambia, with both the Kansanshi and Sentinel mines, FQMO evolved to house a wide range of business functions to support the abovementioned operations which included mining, road and earthworks, exploration, corporate services, CSR, community health and other services.
Chief Operation Officer of FQM, Rudi Badenhorst explains that the purpose of the 2023 consolidation was to re-organise the First Quantum Zambian business operations in a more logical and efficient way by housing all units that solely service Kansanshi under one roof.
During the inauguration attended by government officials and foreign dignitaries, images taken by MeerKAT of the region surrounding the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy, some 25,000 light years away were revealed with fantastic results. “We didn’t expect to use our telescope so early in the game, it’s not even optimized, but to turn it to the centre of the galaxy and obtain these stunning images, the best in the world, tells you you’ve done something right, better than right,” Fernando Camilo had said.
“We remain highly optimistic about the prospects and outlook for the mining industry in Zambia,” he says, “And our unwavering commitment to Kansanshi is demonstrated through our substantial investments in the S3 project, smelter upgrade, mine fleet enhancement and other strategic initiatives totalling over USD 1billion over the next two years. Consolidating our mining operations at Kansanshi will enable us to better support the roll-out of these projects.”
The Copper Legend Globally reputed, First Quantum produces copper in the form of concentrate, cathode, and anode, and boasts inventories of nickel,
Fernando Camilo understanding the inexperience of proof of the new
"MeerKAT will address some of the key science questions in modern astrophysics –how did galaxies form, how are they evolving, how did we come to be here... and for those purposes MeerKAT is the best in the world,"
gold, and cobalt as well. First Quantum operates mines in several countries and employs approximately 20,000 people world-wide. The Kansanshi copper-gold mine was the company’s flagship operation since 2005 for several years until FQM Trident’ Sentinel Mine and Conbre Panama came into production.
Since production at Kansanshi commenced in 2005 it has produced more copper than any other mine in Africa. To keep up with demand, the company has expanded their operation multiple times and is now able to produce 340,000 tonnes of copper and more than 120,000 ounces of gold per year.
Kansanshi Mining
When looked at as its own entity, Kansanshi employs more than 13,000 people, primarily made up of a localised Zambian workforce, and utilises state-of-the-art technology and world-class efficiency to extract copper and gold from three different ore sources.
“The Kansanshi deposit is the site of one of the oldest copper mines in the whole of Zambia and dates back to the fourth century,” says Anthony Mukutuma, General Manager of Kansanshi, “It has been mined intermittently since that time by various parties until First Quantum Minerals purchased its majority interest from Cyprus Amax in August of 2001
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Our people are our greatest asset
and went on to redesign the process flowsheet to treat sulphide and oxide ores separately. Commercial production at Kansanshi began in April of 2005, and four years later, a plant to treat transitional ore was designed and commissioned.”
Currently, the Kansanshi operation includes three concentrators producing copper concentrate and gold core and a leach-SX-EW circuit that produces Grade A copper cathode. The concentrates are treated at the Kansanshi Smelter, which was commissioned in 2013, to create copper anodes and at the high-pressure leach plant to produce copper cathode.
In Focus
A vein deposit, Kansanshi has economic copper and gold mineralisation occurring in three ore-types: primary sulphide, mixed supergene, and oxide. The mining is carried out in two open pits, Main and Northwest, where conventional open pit methods are employed with hydraulic excavators and a fleet of haul trucks making use of electric trolley assist on the waste haul. Ore treatment is flexible to allow for variation in ore type either through an oxide leach circuit, a sulphide flotation circuit and or a transitional ore circuit.
Sulphide ore is treated via crushing, milling and flotation to produce copper in concentrate. Mixed ore is treated through a similar circuit with the option to treat the flotation concentrate via the high-pressure leach (HPL) circuit. Oxide ore is treated via crushing, milling, flotation, leaching and the SX/EW process to produce a sulphidic and gold bearing flotation concentrate as well as electro-won cathode copper. Gold is recovered from all ore types by six gravity
concentrators. Gemini tables treat the gravity concentrates and produce a high-grade concentrate for direct smelting to gold bullion.
A portion of the copper concentrate produced from the sulphide and mixed ore circuits is treated in a HPL facility. Copper is recovered by oxidation and leaching in autoclaves, and gold is recovered from HPL residues via an acid-resistant gravity concentrator.
The Team
The organisation has great pride in their diverse and multicultural employee base who come from various backgrounds and nationalities. With the company’s core values of being Bolder, Smarter, Driven and Together, Kansanshi’s staff members understand that they are part of a greater whole that is integral to the company’s culture and empowering for every individual associated.
“Our people are our greatest asset, and because of this, we make sure that we encourage them to do and be the best they can, while supporting them across the business,” Mukutuma tells us, “We ensure our employees are empowered to act and work safely through a mixture of educative guidance and materials under our moto of ‘no job is so important that it cannot be done safely’.
Beyond this important part of their daily operations, Kansanshi further motivates their workforce with a sense of collective achievement. Setting their employees clear goals and targets early in the year in line with corporate, company and departmental targets which helps the team maintain a vision and sense of drive in their work.
Amid the focus on safety and progression, Kansanshi ensures that its employees feel valued and rewarded for their efforts. Various forms of incentive schemes and programmes are in place to reward outstanding performance.
“As for mentorship,” Mukutuma says, “We have management and superintendents mentoring and coaching young high-potential employees to help them gain the necessary skills and experience to grow into fine business leaders of tomorrow.”
Terracom Limited
Fuelling the Future
Donnie Rust
Aglobal mining resources company out of Australia, TerraCom Limited works with an enviable portfolio that includes a number of coal assets in Australia and South Africa. One of the rare finds: a genuinely low-cost producer working in a high-demand industry, they have a demonstrative reputation for delivering exceptional outcomes across a diversified range of assets. But it is their South African operations that we are looking at in this article.
South African Operations
South African coal mining plays a pivotal role in global industry due to the country’s significant coal reserves and high-quality coal products. As one of the world’s top coal exporters, South Africa supplies essential energy resources to power plants, industrial facilities, and households worldwide. The coal found in this southern part of the continent is prized for its low sulphur content, making it environmentally favourable for combustion. Moreover, the country’s strategic location allows for efficient transportation of coal to major markets, further enhancing its importance in global energy supply chains. Overall, their coal mining is vital for meeting global energy demands and sustaining industrial development.
TerraCom’s entry into the market began in mid-2020 when they acquired 100% of Universal Coal Plc who held a portfolio of producing, developing, and exploring assets located across South Africa’s major coalfields.
Thermal Coal
Apart from one in-country location, TerraCom’s South African projects produce mostly thermal coal or steam coal. This coal produces a high thermal temperature and burning time and is used by electric power plants around the world to create steam to generate electricity. Much of this valuable material is sourced from the following TerraCom locations in South Africa: Kangala Colliery consists of two primary
properties, The Wolvenfontein, which is the location of the colliery and Middelbult which is located near several coal-fired power stations where it benefits from an excellent road, rail, and power infrastructure. Adjacent to Kangala sits the Eloff Project which provides the group with strategic near-term flexibility and upside as it will enable the potential of low-cost expansion of the life of mine at Kangala, as well as the potential for additional standalone extensions within the broader project area. Twenty five kilometres south of Kangala sits the North Block Complex, which was acquired by Universal in 2018 prior to their acquisition by TerraCom.
Located in the Kriel district, approximately 150 kilometres from Johannesburg is the New Clydesdale Colliery, which consists of the Roodekop and Diepspruit Projects. Some fifty kilometres north-east of here is Arnot South, which compromises a prospecting right over 15 000ha.
Berenice/Cygnus not only produces thermal coal but also soft coking coal which is a primary source of carbon used in steelmaking. The Berenice/Cygnus coking coal project is in the Soutpansberg Coalfield 90km southwest of Musina, outside environmentally sensitive areas such as the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site and proposed environmental buffer zones.
The People Supporting The Projects
With operations globally, TerraCom empowers every employee to contribute their skills, knowledge, and experience. This is fundamental to their high-performance culture and ensures that they deliver value. Their professional employees are diverse and engaged, passionate and focussed on excellence and share the company’s entrepreneurial spirit, taking full ownership of their roles and are motivated to deliver.
“We take pride in our can do attitude and that’s why we foster a work environment that creates opportunities, encourages
Ingwenya
Mineral Processing
has
made quite
a
name
for themselves over the past 16 years – and we are getting stronger and stronger.
Mpho Mothoa, Managing Director
Founded in 2005 to service to service the junior miners in the field Mineral Processing and Maintenance we have grown to become the Specialist Contractor of choice in the field of Coal Processing. Ingwenya specialises in contract mineral processing consulting services with specific focus on the coal industry.
Customer focus is our priority. In line with our motto of “Operational and Maintenance Partner of choice”. So far we have operated in total18 coal-processing facilities for different clientele: Universal coal, Thungela coal, Menar, Canyon coal, Salungano, Overlooked, Ikwezi, Tendele mining, Nkomati Anthracite, Overlooked and ArnotOpco. In 16 years, Ingwenya Mineral Processing (Pty) Ltd has completed 13 Coal Processing and Handling Plants Capital projects, 7 retrofits projects, 5 Expansions /modifications projects. Our areas of expertise comprise:
y Operations and Maintenance
y Design and built of Mineral processing plants
y Engineering design and fabrication
y Feasibility and Due diligence studies, Trouble shooting and Optimisation
y Process modelling for efficiency
Operations and Maintenance Specialist
We operate different types of DMS plants of different capacities incorporating the following beneficiation equipment’s: Drum, Cyclone or 3-Product Cyclone, Larcodem, to produce PowerStation coal, RB1/RB2/ RB3, and metallurgical sized products according to suit client needs. We rely on our dedicated, competent and efficient teams to produce coal that meets specifications and targets. A group of specialist Process engineers, Mechanical and Electrical engineers provides expertise to ensure seamless production. Safety is always our number 1 priority.
Design
and built of processing plants
Our modular plants can be summed up as cost effective, simple, flexible and easy to operate and maintain. This reduces fabrication time and erection costs and ensures that projects are delivered at short lead times.
The modules are designed to accommodate future expansion by just adding onto the existing module sharing the peripherals. Our plants are tailor-made to suit client specific needs, flexible to treat different seams and to produce single or multi products to cater for different markets. Our modular plants are easy to dismantle and relocate elsewhere when necessity arises.
Ingwenya has developed strategic partnerships with OEMs, which assists in acquiring expertise in leading technology to ensure efficiency from the design phase right into production.
We design and build Slew conveyors suitable for proper management of Eskom stockpiles; the slew conveyor can rotate 220o to build five conical stockpiles of 5500tons each. Slew stacker is designed to build one 5500tons stockpile in 9 hours. We also build smaller product stacker capable of building two stockpiles of 3000tons each suitable for smaller operations.
Our advantage point: Bomax Engineering Workshop
Ingwenya has a fully equipped in-house 4000m2 engineering workshop located in Hendrina, Mpumalanga, where we fabricate our own steel structures and platework. The workshop has wellqualified & experienced team in Fabrication, Construction and Maintenance: Workshop give us the capacity to produce tailor-made modules within short lead times. The workshop also supplements the operations in terms of upgrades, installations, maintenance and shutdowns. Our aim is to delight the client.
We believe that TerraCom’s projects have the potential to deliver significant benefits to communities across the globe
innovation, celebrates diversity, and recognises and rewards excellence,” explains Danny McCarthy, managing director, adding, “TerraCom also prioritizes employee safety as the cornerstone of its operations, fostering a culture of care and responsibility within its workforce.”
He goes on to explain that, as a business, they recognize the inherent risks associated with coal mining, the company implements robust safety protocols and practices to ensure the well-being of its employees.
Central to TerraCom’s approach are comprehensive training programs that equip employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify hazards and mitigate risks effectively. From the moment a new employee joins the team, safety induction sessions impart essential safety procedures and protocols, instilling a proactive mindset towards safety in every aspect of their work.
Moreover, TerraCom invests in state-ofthe-art safety equipment and technologies, continuously upgrading its infrastructure to enhance workplace safety. Regular safety audits and inspections are conducted to identify potential hazards and address them promptly, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
However, TerraCom understands that safety is not solely about rules and regulations; it’s about fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where employees feel empowered to speak up about safety concerns without fear of reprisal. Open communication channels encourage employees to report near misses and hazards, facilitating a culture of continuous improvement and proactive risk management.
In essence, TerraCom Limited’s
unwavering commitment to employee safety underscores its dedication to protecting its most important asset: its people. Through a combination of rigorous training, cutting-edge technology, and a supportive organizational culture, TerraCom strives to create a workplace where every employee returns home safely at the end of the day.
Environment
Mitigating the environmental impact that exploration activities and mining have, the company works hard to build landowner and community partnerships to better understand potential local environmental concerns while still meeting the demand for first and third world country developments.
“Our employees and contractors are expected to minimise their footprint in everything they do,” Danny reveals, “By monitoring their work ethic and compliance to rules and by understanding the consequences of their actions, the negative and the beneficial. We’ve found repeatedly that simple, practical, and robust systems enable positive and rapid return for future land uses and next generational users.”
Community
It is important for so many reasons to work cooperatively with local communities to progress the projects in South Africa as well as their international projects. Achieving this by supporting community projects, events, people, and organisations is just one way TerraCom is building that local partnership.
“We believe that TerraCom’s projects have the potential to deliver significant benefits to communities across the globe,” says Danny, “TerraCom build strong local connections through donations and sponsorships and are committed to a positive program of engagement in every community where we operate.”
Safe and seamless for Medical and Pharmaceutical deliveries
Our fully compliant, temperature-controlled vehicles provide secure and reliable distribution of medical and pharmaceutical deliveries, including time-sensitive cold chain parcels. With over 40 hubs across South Africa, our state-of-the-art and fully integrated technology and logistics infrastructure solutions makes us the perfect partner for the medical and pharmaceutical industry. Paperless, secure and timeous, our online track and trace system also makes it easy to follow your vital parcel journey from start to finish.
