Endeavour Magazine January 2018

JANUARY 2018

www.endeavourmagazine.com

NV CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES CORP A Clean Win PPC ZIMBABWE Cemented In History

AMARNA CONSULT LTD Success By Design UK CAN USA EUR SA ZAR

£4.95 $7.95 $7.95 €5.95 69.00

INSPIRED BY YOUR SUCCESS

Trusted.

Partners.

whitecase.com

EDITOR’S NOTE Heads of Departments Managing Editor Alice Instone-Brewer editor@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director Alex Hilling-Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Manager Emlyn Freeman emlynfreeman@littlegatepublishing.com Head of Editorial Research Paul Bradley paulbradley@littlegatepublishing.com Project Manager Steven Weller steveweller@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher James Lapping james@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher Will Girling willgirling@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com Any enquiries or subscriptions can be sent to info@littlegatepublishing.com ENDEAVOUR MAGAZINE is published

by Littlegate Publishing LTD which is a Registered Company in the United Kingdom.

Company Registration: 07657236 VAT registration number: 116 776007 343 City Road Suite 10, Thorpe House London 79 Thorpe Road EC1 V1LR Norwich, NR1 1UA Littlegate Publishing Ltd does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points

W

e’ve made it to the end of

success; it is not an either/or choice if we

another year, and what a year

put our minds to it. Let us think not only

it has been! In many ways,

about 2018, but the years beyond, and the

2017 saw 2016’s strain on our emotions

legacies we are creating. What world do

and raised it. Political grievances aside

we want to leave to future generations,

(although there have been, for many

how do we want our slice of history to be

groups, too many to count), it has still

remembered, and how are we acting on

been a trying year; shootings, protests and

that today?

natural disasters have made loss and anger

Happy New Year to all those who begin a

into familiar feelings.

– let’s have a better one. We’re all in

has begun. For some, it will be a year of

this together.

new beginnings – a potential new hope for Zimbabwe, a period of rebuilding for all of and a time of future planning for the EU and UK as a Brexit agreement is finally reached.

For many other countries, blockades, conflict and economic worries continue, but as we do every year, let’s walk forwards into this new date with positivity and hope.

However, let us make it a pro-active hope; one that does not simply send out positive vibes, thoughts and prayers, but one that gets us off our feet for our fellow humans.

Let us give what we can spare, though for

writers and/or in advertisements included in this

many that doesn’t feel like much. Let us call

the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons,

out injustice where we see it, and support

living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst

the many incredible groups working to

every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of

make change. In our business practises,

the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the

let us put employee health and well-being,

publishers for loss arising from use of information

and sustainable practises, over that ever-

published. All rights reserved. No part of this

consuming profit total. As the inspiring

publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or

ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

the hurricane and flood affected regions,

of view expressed in articles by attributing magazine do not necessarily represent those of

new calendar this month, and for everyone

However, the year is behind us, and 2018

stories in Endeavour showed us last year,

by any means without the prior written consent of

moral, sustainable, compassionate business

the publisher.

practises can and do go hand in hand with

Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2018

Endeavour Magazine | 3

CONTENTS

34 LIFETIME SOLUTIONS FEATURES

12 MM INTERGRATED STEEL MILLS 4 | Endeavour Magazine

12 MM Intergrated Steel Mills

Steeling The Show 18 NV Consolidated Industries Corp

A Clean Win 28 Amarna Consult Ltd

Success By Design 34 Lifetime Solutions

Raise The Roof 42 PPC Zimbabwe

Cemented In History 48 Jindal Africa

Digging Deeper 54 DLA Investments Granite Quarries

Rock Solid 62 TANESCO

Lighting Up Your Life 68 Association of Citizen Contractors Tanzania

Specialists In Safeguarding 74 Indoguna Singapore

Quality Taste 84 National Petroleum Marketing Company

Fuel For Thought 90 Guyana Goldfields

Setting The Gold Standard

54 DLA INVESTMENTS GRANITE QUARRIES ARTICLES

6 7 8 10 11

Business Headlines Africa Americas Asia Europe Middle East

26

40 82

Amazing World Neuroscience: Giving A Voice To The Voiceless A World of New Years Hatsugama

60

Automotives Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2017 Estate

62 TANESCO Endeavour Magazine | 5

BUSINESS HEADLINES AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA WHISTLE-BLOWER AIDS MONEY LAUNDERING INVESTIGATION

ivory trade, but its export is illegal. In

as a reward for his role in the military coup.

2016, the country attempted to convince

The new President has vowed to focus

the UN to legalize this export, making the

on reviving the struggling economy and

A whistle-blower is aiding a UK financial

argument that this trade would encourage

creating jobs. Once seen among Africa’s

regulators’ investigation into HSBC and

better protection of elephants rather than

most promising economies, Zimbabwe has

Standard Chartered banks accused on

endangering the species. The attempt failed.

an unemployment rate exceeding 80%.

money laundering in South Africa.

The identity of the ivory dealers is

The accusations link this alleged activity

currently being investigated.

However,

he

has

already

made

controversial choices, such as appointing

with South Africa’s billionaire Gupta family.

air force commander Perrance Shiri as

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is

agriculture minister, which is reminiscent

looking into the case.

of Mugabe’s violent land reforms, which

Lord Peter Hain, is a former Labour

handed much of Zimbabwe’s land to military

minister and anti-apartheid campaigner,

veterans and greatly damaged the country’s

passed on evidence from whistle-blowers

agriculture. He has also appointed General

to the FCA that he claims links both of

Sibusiso Moyo as foreign and international

these banks, as well as the Indian Bank of

trade minister.

Baroda, to money laundering for companies

These selections have been criticised

throughout Dubai and Hong Kong linked

both for their military connections, and

with the Gupta family.

for their associations with the Mugabe-

The Guptas are already a controversial

era government, rather than taking the

point of discuss in the country, due to their

opportunity to bring in younger new figures.

links to President Jacob Zuma.

MOZAMBIQUE: PRESIDENT REPLACES ENERGY AND FOREIGN MINISTERS

HSBC and Standard Chartered declined to comment. Both banks have previously said that they have shut accounts they believe are linked to the Guptas and are committed to combating financial crime.

A HSBC spokesperson has previously said: “HSBC has been reviewing its exposure

ZIMBABWE: MNANGAGWA SELECTS HIS DEPUTIES

Mozambique’s President, Filipe Nyusi, has let go of four ministers without offering an explanation. These ministers included those involved in energy and foreign affairs.

to the Guptas for some time, and has closed

Zimbabwe’s eyes have been on the new

Energy is a key issue in Mozambique,

a number of accounts for associated front

President as he appoints his two deputies.

which has vast untapped offshore gas

companies wherever we have found them.”

Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s old VP, was sacked

reserves that are being developed by oil

by the dictator after years as a loyalist. Fears

majors such as Italy’s Eni.

ZIMBABWE SEIZES IVORY SHIPMENT HEADED FOR MALAYSIA An illegal shipment of 200 kg of ivory has been seized in Zimbabwe at Robert Mugabe International Airport.

that Mugabe wished to instead pass power

Nyusi’s office said Ernesto Max Elias

to his own wife triggered a military coup that

Tonela had replaced Leticia da Silva Klemens

resulted in an agreement with Mugabe, and

as minister of energy and mineral resources

the leader stepping down.

and Jose Condugua Antonio Pacheco had

As

the

new

President,

many

are

interested to see whether Mnangagwa will

The shipment was headed to Malaysia before it was intercepted by agents from

replaced Oldemiro Baloi as foreign minister.

Tonela,

the

new

energy

minister,

bring in a new era for Zimbabwe, or whether

previously served as commerce minister.

his government will be much of the same.

An economist by training, Tonela has

Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management

A second vice-president, Phelekezela

also worked previously on the board

Authority. The seized ivory has been valued,

Mphoko, who was allied to closely to

of the Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa

based on current market prices, at $420,000.

Mugabe, has already been fired from the

company responsible for Mozambique’s

party and his position.

2,000-megawatt hydroelectric dam.

This

shipment

was

the

largest

interception of ivory seized in the country to date.

Zimbabwe

allows

6 | Endeavour Magazine

some

controlled

Rumours

speculate

that

one

of

The president also replaced the ministers

Mnangagwa’s appointments will go to

of industry and trade and of agriculture and

military chief General Constantine Chiwenga

food security.

AMERICAS LITECOIN - THE NEW BITCOIN?

soon and slowing progress, and the March

source of jobs both within the park itself and

Investors and bystanders alike have been

deadline close approaching, there is a push

the resulting wider tourism industry. The

watching the progress of Bitcoin, which has

from both sides to arrive as an agreement as

busy city also offers a network of support

been gathering attention for its skyrocketing

soon as possible.

to many with existing family and friends.

conversion rate.

Democratic

However, those unable to find couches or

senators have said that a deal will include

Both

rooms with contacts are risking a strain on

measures

security,

social services. New arrivals are frequently

have

eligible for a stay in a hotel approved by the

24 hours, and continued to rise to over

repeatedly stressed is a priority and which

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

250% in the following week. This overtook

Democrats have said they would meet as

but some have found themselves living out

Bitcoin’s progress for the same week, which

part of a deal.

of cars. Arrivals are encouraged to make

However, a new cryptocurrency has experienced an even more dramatic spike.

Litecoin’s value recently doubled in just

was (a still extremely dramatic) rise of 45%.

Republican to

something

and

improve which

border

Republicans

Both sides have commented that in sit-

arrangements with friends before they arrive

In the past year, Litecoin has gone

down talks, they have found themselves

up a staggering 10,000%. However, the

largely in agreement, or at least close in

Despite a difficult transition period, it

combined value of all the litecoins currently

opinion. The tone regarding completion of

is possible that the boost of new students

in circulation is about $18 billion, compared

the talks is hopeful, but urgent.

and workers will be an injection of life into

with nearly $300 billion for Bitcoin. On the

Florida’s market and culture.

other hand, the currency is said to be faster

CANADA REACTS TO NEW IMPORT TARIFF ON CANADIAN BOMBARDIER JETS

and cheaper to mine than Bitcoin.

Other

cryptocurrencies

when they can.

include

Ethereum, Ripple and Dash.

The currency was created by Charlse Lee, former Google engineer and former

Following a new 80% import tariff on

director of Coinbase. However, mystery

Canadian Bombardier jets, Ottawa has

still remains as to the identity of Satoshi

cancelled its plans to buy a new fleet of

Nakamoto, Bitcoin’s faceless creator and the

Boeing Super Hornets in a snub to the US.

instigator of the cryptocurrency trend.

DACA RESOLUTION FOR AMERICA’S ‘DREAMERS’ GETTING CLOSER

PUERTO RICAN MIGRATION A POTENTIAL BOON FOR FLORIDA

Instead, Canada now plans to buy a fleet of 30-year-old F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Australia, spending about $500m on the vintage planes.

As recovery for Puerto Rico following the

This decision has arisen as part of an

In September this year, President Donald

devastation of Hurricane Maria continues as

escalating trade dispute between Canada

Trump said that he was terminating the

a snail’s pace, many islanders are relocating

and the US.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

to the US mainland. As American citizens,

The announcement marks a new low

(DACA) program, which was created by

the move does not hold legal complications;

between Canada’s Liberal government and

President Barack Obama by executive order.

however, the dramatic influx does have

Boeing. The US aerospace company says it

implications for the areas affected.

currently supports more than 17,500 jobs in

The

program

existed

to

protect

undocumented people who immigrated to

Due to its location, Florida has been

Canada.

the United States as children. Trump left the

a common choice. The swing-state has

However, Boeing has indicated it is

task of creating new legislation to protect

made a point of welcoming its new arrivals,

unlikely to back down on the trade challenge.

around 700,000 ‘Dreamers’ from the threat

with both parties competing to make an

Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence

of deportation up to Congress.

impression. Florida’s unemployment rates

staff of the Canadian Armed Forces, told

Although the President announced that

have recently fallen from 11.2% to only

ABC News the Australian jets would be an

the programme would come to an end in

3.6%, and there are little fears that its new

adequate stopgap measure until its next-

March, some of those enrolled have already

residents will be able to find work.

generation fighter fleet was delivered in

seen their enrolment expire.

In particular, Orlando is appealing to

Four new bills have been proposed as a

Puerto Ricans looking for a new home,

resolution, but with Christmas approaching

as Disney World Orlando is a promising

about 2025.

The used Australian jets will be flown to Canada in 2018.

Endeavour Magazine | 7

ASIA GOOGLE CHOOSES BEIJING FOR FIRST ASIAN AI RESEARCH CENTRE Google has selected Beijing as the location for its first artificial intelligence research centre in Asia.

The decision was made despite many of

The region is home to over 11 million

above sea level for a couple of months, but

Uighurs, a Muslim Turkic minority, and is

is now predicted to last anywhere between

occasionally hit by bouts of violence.

six and 30 years. This would make Hunga

Critics are describing the plans for the area as an “open-air prison”.

island of its kind in the modern satellite era.

Part of the collection is being done government-provided

Nasa has been studying the island,

medical

taking monthly results.Their key interest is

Google’s services being blocked in China by

checkups, and it is unclear whether patients

to study how the landscape changes over

the country’s censorship, including its search

are aware the exam is also designed to

time. Jim Garvin, first author of the study

engine, YouTube and Gmail.

transmit biometric data to the police.

at NASA, explainedl “This has only been

“The science of AI has no borders, neither

through

Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai the first persisting

have

measured a few times at other such islands.

do its benefits,” Fei-Fei Li, chief scientist at

participated in the medical exams, dubbed

It’s the first step to understand erosion

Google’s AI business, said in a blog post that

Physicals for All, in 2017, according to state

rates and processes and to decipher why

announced the new centre.

news agency Xinhua.

it has persisted longer than most people

Google effectively left China in 2010,

Nearly

19

Although

the

million

people

checks

are

officially

expected.”

but the country’s 730 million internet

voluntary, one Uighur said that local cadres

The island has also given NASA insights

users make it too large a market to ignore.

“had demanded that they must participate in

into similar features in other parts of the

The opening of a high-profile AI research

the physicals”. A story in a local newspaper

solar system, including Mars.

centre in Beijing, through Google’s Ai unit

encouraged officials to “work hard to

DeepMind, is being seen by many as the

convince them to participate”.

company’s latest attempt to find a route back into the country.

CHINA BUILDING REFUGEE CAMPS ALONG NORTH KOREAN BORDER

The decisions came soon after Beijing’s

Beijing are preparing the development

announcement that it plans to build a

of at least five refugee camps in the Jilin

domestic artificial intelligence industry worth

province, along the border between China

nearly $150 billion in the coming years. The

and North Korea. The country appears to

decision has been critiised as problematic,

be preparing for a collapse of Kim Jong-un’s

given the Chinese government’s heavy use of

regime, or a rise in North Koreans attempting

AI for the surveillance of its citizens. Human

to escape the country.

rights groups, in particular, have questioned

The existence of plans for the camps

the American company’s involvement.

seems to have been revealed in leaked internal document from a state-run telecoms

CHINESE AUTHORITIES COLLECTING DNA FROM ALL RESIDENTS OF XINJIANG China is building a database of iris scans and blood types of everyone aged 12 to 65 in Xinjiang, a region home to 11 million Muslim Uighurs.

company that could be working to provide the camps with internet services.

The document gives the names and locations of three of the facilities: Changbai

PACIFIC ‘POP-UP’ APPEARING ISLAND COULD LAST 30 YEARS

riverside,

Changbai

Shibalidaogou

and

Changbai Jiguanlizi.

The New York Times reported that centres for refugees were also planned in

They are also collecting fingerprints,

A new Tongan island has seemingly

DNA samples and other biometric data from

arosem from the sea, formed from the ask

The document reportedly reads: “Due

every resident in the region.

of the underwater 2014 volcanic eruption in

to cross-border tensions … the [Communist]

the South Pacific.

party

The data can be used for “surveillance of persons because of ethnicity, religion,

The new island is unofficially named

opinion or other protected exercise of rights

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, and has a

like free speech”, according to Human Rights

120m summit.

Watch.

8 | Endeavour Magazine

It was initially only expected to stay

the cities of Tumen and Hunchun.

committee

and

government

of

Changbai county has proposed setting up five refugee camps in the county.”

So far, the government has denied knowledge of the plans.

COnfIdEnCE In flIghT. WorldWide.

Bristow is doing more than anyone to keep your people safe, lower your E&P offshore operating costs and improve your productivity. Our Target Zero culture of safety is recognized for delivering industry-leading safety performance, while new best-practice programs are providing unmatched on-time reliability and customer service. So your people and your production are always right on schedule.

It’s time to discover there’s a bottom-line difference in helicopter service providers. Bristow is focused on delivering value to prove it.

B r I S T O w g r O u P. C O m

EUROPE MONGOLIA SEEKS REMOVAL FROM EU TAX HAVEN BLACKLIST Mongolia’s foreign minister has said

EU energy ministers to lift all regulatory

European Union leaders must agree

barriers to these contracts, to which firms

that sufficient progress has been made on

are increasingly turning to power energy-

the rights of citizens, the Brexit divorce bill

intensive data centres or heavy machinery.

and the Irish border before negotiations can

that it needs to take action at “all levels of

EU nations are currently discussing

move on to the next phase. Many are keen

government” to get itself removed from a

an aim to source at least 27% of the

for talks to progress on to trade negotiations.

European Union blacklist of tax havens.

bloc’s energy from renewables by 2030,

The EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel

The country is one of 17 jurisdictions

an increase from their 20% goal for green

Barnier told lawmakers the next phase of

outside the European Union that risk

energy by 2020. However, the European

talks would focus on a ‘short and defined’

losing access to EU funds, or facing other

Parliament has called for a higher target, as

transition period and initial discussions on

disciplinary actions, after the bloc rules that

have these 50 companies:

a future relationship. Future talks, he said,

they had not been cooperative on tax issues.

“The post 2020 Renewable Energy

“We have to implement a series of

Directive has a key role to play to unlock

coordinated measures at all levels of

the potential of corporate renewable PPAs,

government,”

which remains largely untapped in Europe,”

Foreign

Minister

Damdin

Tsogtbaatar said in comments posted on Facebook, though he did not follow the post with details.

It is important that Mongolia comply with international standards for tax, said

the firms said.

would be equally complex.

EU WARNS BRITISH AIRLINES ON BREXIT CONSEQUENCES

“A strong investment signal is key to

The EU has warned that British airlines

further positioning industries with large

will lose all flying rights negotiated by the

investment potential in supporting Europe’s

EU to any non-EU countries, either made in

clean energy goals.”

the future or established so far.

Dendevsambuu Onchinsuren, the country

The warning highlights the risks to

managing partner for tax accountancy

British airlines if there is no Brexit deal

Deloitte Onch in Ulaanbaatar, the capital.

made regarding the issue. The European

“Mongolia needs to cooperate with the

Commission said UK air carriers would

EU,” Onchinsuren said. “Also it needs to

no longer enjoy traffic rights under any air

improve its transparency.”

transport agreement to which the EU is

In 2011, Mongolia cancelled a tax treaty

a party, such as the U.S.-EU Open Skies

with the Netherlands, saying it would cost

agreement.

the country income from the Oyu Tolgoi

They would also lose flying rights under

mine jointly owned by mining giant Rio Tinto

agreements between individual EU member

and the Mongolian government.

states and third countries, as they would no

Mongolia also cancelled tax treaties with

longer be considered EU airlines.

Kuwait, Luxembourg and the UAE.

In addition, all operating licenses granted by the British civil aviation authority will no

BIG 50 CALL ON EU TO SET 35% RENEWABLE POWER SUPPLIES TARGET

longer be valid for the EU, the notice said, which means the airlines would be cut off from the intra-EU market.

A group of key technology, industry

Both airlines and airports have been

and power companies have called on

vocal about the risks posed by the no-

the European Union to set a target for renewables of at least 35% when EU energy ministers meet next week.

The firms, including Amazon, Facebook, Google,

IKEA,

Microsoft,

Philips

EU PARLIAMENT BACKS NEXT PHASE OF BREXIT TALKS

deal scenario and have urged London and Brussels to quickly provide certainty for the industry.

Budget airline easyJet has already moved

and

The European Parliament has urged

to establish a new airline in Austria to protect

Unilever, say an ambitious target would

EU leaders to allow the next phase of

its flying rights within the EU once Britain

encourage their investment in multi-year

Brexit negotiations to start. The plea was

leaves the bloc.

wind and solar power supply contracts.

accompanied by critisism of Britain’s lead

In a letter, the 50 firms called on 10 | Endeavour Magazine

negotiator in the talks, David Davis.

MIDDLE EAST SAUDI KING APPROVES $19-BILLION TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC MEASURES

camps and weapons storage compounds.

percent of the Palestinian population in

Hamas usually evacuates such facilities

Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem,

when border tensions spike.

though they have a strong impact on local

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman approved 72

Two of the rockets fired by militants

billion riyals ($19.2 billion) worth of measures

were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome

Back in July, Christians joined Muslims to

to stimulate growth in the private sector as

anti-missile system and a third exploded

protest against Israel’s installation of security

authorities seek to pull the economy out of

in an open area. There were no reports of

scanners at the nearby al-Aqsa mosque

a slump caused by low oil prices.

casualties on either side of the frontier.

- Islam’s third holiest site - after two Arab-

The measures include residential housing

Some 15 rockets have been fired

loans worth 21.3 billion riyals, a 10 billion

into southern Israel since Trump’s Dec. 6

riyal fund to support economic projects,

announcement, and none of the projectiles

and 1.5 billion riyals to support distressed

has caused serious injury or damage.

companies, the government announced.

The attacks have drawn Israeli air strikes

A 2.8 billion riyal government fund will

that have killed two Hamas gunmen. Two

be created to invest in smaller companies,

other Palestinians have been killed in

while the government will adjust the fees

confrontations with Israeli troops during

which it charges for services to save smaller

stone-throwing protests along the border.

companies 7 billion riyals.

and national politics.

Israeli gunmen shot dead two Israeli police officers at the site.

It removed the metal detectors after days of bloody clashes, scenes that have not been repeated in the city since Trump’s declaration.

MULTIPLE EARTHQUAKES HIT SOUTHEASTERN IRAN

More money would be spent on

Iran’s south-eastern province of Kerman

projects such as developing the kingdom’s

was hit by multiple strong quakes in

broadband infrastructure and promoting

December, injuring at least 18 people and

advanced construction techniques. Officials

damaging 20 or more houses.

did not give details of most of the stimulus

The first quake had a magnitude of 5.9,

measures.

and struck 35 miles north of Kerman, a city

The private sector’s growth has slowed

with a population of more than 820,000

this year because of government austerity

people.

policies designed to curb a state budget

The initial tremor was also followed by

deficit caused by low oil export revenues.

dozens of smaller aftershocks. During the

The 72 billion riyals will be spent over

night, a stronger quake of magnitude 6.0

the next four years, including 24 billion

the struck the same area. The latest quake

riyals in 2018, Sukait said. Officials are still

was centred 40 miles north of Kerman, and

drawing up plans to spend the remaining 88 billion riyals of the scheme.

ISRAEL CLOSES GAZA BORDER CROSSINGS AFTER PALESTINIAN ROCKET STRIKES

PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS UNITE AGAINST TRUMP’S JERUSALEM CALL Less than an hour after U.S. President

struck just after 1 a.m.

State

media

reported

earlier

that

no deaths had been caused by the first earthquake, but that at least 18 people had been injured.

Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as

Pictures posted on state media showed

Israel’s capital, Palestinians protested by

groups of people standing in streets in the

Israel announced the closure of its

turning off the lights on the Christmas tree

quake zone, fearing the collapse of buildings.

Gaza border crossing in response to daily

outside Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity,

The 20 damaged buildings were mostly

rocket fire from the enclave for a week.

the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

older structures, state media reported. The

This response followed Donald Trump’s

The protest was a reminder that while

statement recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s

headlines focused on Islamist calls for

pictures showed collapsed mud brick walls.

The day before, another quake, between

capital, which provoked Palestinian anger.

uprisings and Trump’s references to Jewish

magnitude 5.4 and 6, hit western Iran, in

Israeli aircraft struck three facilities

historical ties, the president’s words also

the same region where a magnitude 7.3

belonging to Hamas, the militant group

stirred deep feelings among the Palestinians

earthquake killed at least 530 people last

that controls the Gaza Strip, after the latest

Christian community.

month. There have been no reports of

rocket attacks. The attack targeted training

Christians make up around just one

deaths or injuries from this quake.

Endeavour Magazine | 11

MM INTERGRATED STEEL MILLS WWW.MOTISUNGROUP.COM // 00255 22 2139158

STEELING THE SHOW In a year that began with immense challenges for the African steel industry, MM Integrated Steel Uganda remains one of the fastest expanding manufacturers of cold rolling sheets, galvanized roofing sheets and structural steel products in the country, as well as being one of the overall market leaders. With a production capacity of approximately 50,000 tons per year, a strong multinational presence and new ‘Aluzinc’ coating capabilities developing, it looks like whatever gauntlet the industry might throw MM in 2018 will be met with similarly resounding success - but how has the company reached these distinguished heights?

WRITTEN BY WILL GIRLING

MM INTERGRATED STEEL MILLS

With its origins dating to approximately 18th BC in what

is now modern-day Turkey, steel has been a mainstay of civilisation for practically all recorded history. Forged by smelting mined iron ore in blast furnaces - thus removing its impurities – and adding carbon to form an alloy, the result is a high-tensile metal that is stronger, lighter and less prone to corrosion than its base iron.

F

rom this basic recipe, many historical variants have been

which possessed a notable industrial heritage that began to wane

developed: Wootz steel, Crucible steel, and Damascus steel

in the late 20th Century, an economic upswing has struck the

– the latter of which we still cannot produce using modern

region since the 2000’s. With $600 million invested over a period

techniques. Just as diverse are the myriad applications that steel

of five years from 2013, MM Steel Uganda certainly appears to be

has been utilized for: construction, transportation, agriculture,

at the epicentre of that change.

weaponry, tools and machinery, to name just a few. Now, in the

The impact of the Ugandan mill can’t just be measured through

post-industrial era, steel remains an important, low-cost material

finances, however; it provides employment for over 1,800 people,

that is in high demand for consumers all around the world; it would

all sourced from local areas and trained to stand amongst the best

seem that steel has been our loyal companion for millennia, is a

in the field. With inevitable expansion for the MM Steel brand,

relationship that will continue to evolve and flourish with us.

Jinja looks set for making a remarkable come-back to Africa’s

Stepping into this rich tradition is MM Integrated Steel Mills

manufacturing spotlight. To generate its output, the Ugandan

Ltd, a subsidiary of the Motisun Group. The first MM steel mill in

factory is a colossal operation: it consumes up to five megawatts

Tanzania was established by Motisun in 1995, with a production

of electricity at a rate of Shs210 million per month, which must be

capacity of 35,000 tons per year. The seed that was planted in

supplied by a direct link to the national grid. For water, at the time

Tanzania didn’t take long to go forth and multiply; at the time of

of the mill’s opening, its three-kilometre line to the National Water

writing, there are now four MM steel mills in Tanzania, Zambia,

and Sewerage Corporation was non-existent, so MMI connected it

Uganda and Mozambique, the newest of which opened in 2014.

themselves. Upon touring the Ugandan mill, Amerlia Kyambade –

With this growth, the company estimates an aggregate production

Minister for Trade – congratulated the management staff for their

capacity of 350,000 tons per annum and is proud to now be

much-needed efforts and “contribution towards the economic

considered “a respected brand [that] is the preferred choice within

development of our country”, pledging that her department would

the building and construction industry”. Upon opening in 2013,

push through further legislation to “help local industries grow”.

MM Integrated Steel Uganda represented the first of its kind in

The services provided by the factory include cold rolling mills,

the country: a steel manufacturer that could produce all its own

galvanising lines, colour coating lines and tube mills, a portfolio of

materials, as opposed to relying on imports. Based in Jinja, a town

capabilities that is certain to lengthen across their four established

14 | Endeavour Magazine

MM INTERGRATED STEEL MILLS mills going forward. ‘Cold rolling’ is a method by which a metal sheet

is where innovation and new industry technology play their parts,

– in this case steel – is passed through a set of rollers at room-

and MM Steel have shown no hesitation in keeping their company

temperature, wherein it is squeezed and compressed, with the level

fully on-trend. Among the newest developments has been the

of strain determining the end product’s properties and hardness.

introduction of ‘Aluzinc’ coating capabilities at the Tanzania mill.

Allowing for greater dimensional accuracy in the manufacturing

Consisting of cold-rolled steel that is subsequently galvanised with

process, and thus also increasing its resistance to surface damage,

coating consisting of aluminium (58%), zinc (43.4%) and a dash

cold-rolling has the added benefit of increasing the strength of

of silicon (1.6%), Aluzinc provides a far greater defence against

steel up to 20%. In terms of manufacturing, it doesn’t stop there:

corrosion than traditional galvanisation methods. Amazingly, this

the aforementioned tube mill uses state-of-the-art machinery that

superior protection doesn’t compromise on the steel’s acceptance

rounds steel sheets into high-quality tubes. Once the metal has

of paint coatings & finishes, weld acceptance or forming ability.

been forged and shaped, the factory can offer additional services

This results in a product that has a broad variety of domestic and

for the new product, such as ‘galvanising’, wherein a protective

industrial purposes wherever damp atmospheric conditions are

coating of zinc is added to the steel for further protection from

the enemy. With these capabilities almost certain to spread to

corrosion. In addition to this facility, MM Steel is also able to apply

the other three factories, and further innovations such as ‘duplex

a range of cosmetic (as well as protective) coatings to their metal

steel’ gaining traction worldwide, it is safe to say that MM Steel’s

as per the desired specification. Sold in both domestic and export

development will closely parallel the steel industry’s.

markets under the brand-name ‘KIBOKO’ for a competitive price,

Although 2017 was beset by great challenges for the steel

MM Steel’s products maintain an international standard, which in

industry in Africa - most notably in terms of expansion and export

turn maintains the company’s standing as a market leader.

growth - as the months progressed it became easier to feel

However, with the brand swiftly developing into a notable multi-

optimistic. With positive gains in supply and demand steadily rising

national presence, MM Steel need to maintain their reputation. This

across the board, MM Steel Uganda’s attitude of choosing to invest

16 | Endeavour Magazine

in the future is both commendable and wise. The company should serve as an example to others that; when the going gets tough, you must not only maintain your standards but try to surpass them.

In today’s market, it is no longer good enough to simply have industry-leading products and an established name; consumers want to see a clear vision and a strong ethical message - something the Motisun Group are very conscientious of. “MMI Steel,” the company says, “is dedicated to conducting business in a professional and ethical manner.” They are achieving this not only by providing a superior product at a fair price, but also through ecological measures such as improving and expanding their acid regeneration plant capacities. With sights set to firmly on establishing a better tomorrow, not just for Uganda but the entire industry, MM Integrated Steel Mills Ltd is sure to continue developing into a company that is as diverse as steel itself.

Kubach & Sambrook (Metals) Ltd

 0208 951 6500, +44 208 951 6500  info@kubach.co.uk

It has been a pleasure and source of satisfaction to have a customer like MMI

Endeavour Magazine | 17

NV CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES CORP WWW.CICSUR.COM // 00597 482050

A CLEAN WIN Established in 1967, NV Consolidated Industries Corporation (CIC) are celebrating the golden achievement of 50 successful years in business. We took a look at this impressive history to see what their journey has taught them for the next 50!

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

NV CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES CORP

As a leading manufacturer of household cleaning

products, CIC are a part of people’s lives. Their brands can be found in homes from Suriname to throughout the Caribbean; whilst detergents are far from the most glamorous items in a household, they are what carries us from a stressful environment to a pleasant one. When it comes to the hygiene and happiness of our homes, we want products we can trust. After 50 years in the market, how do CIC approach such an important product?

J

udging from their company values, the wisdom gained on their journey can be summed up in a simple idea – people matter.

The Printing Professionals ā ā ā

self adhesive labels beverage labels bacon board

ā ā ā

digital labels flexographic labels barcodes

Their values are as follows: “Your success is our desire”; “Trust

in our relationships and take personal responsibility for our actions”, and “Create a better company for a better world.” These speak of corporate responsibility, reliable business practises and fair dealings, both with their customers and other businesses. They are altruistic lessons, and when combined with a good business sense and a solid product, ones that can evidently carry a company far.

So, how did CIC get to this point? Beginning operations in the late ‘60s, the ‘70s for CIC were all about diversification and quality improvement. Initially, their products were simply powder detergents, both domestic and industrial, but they soon expanded this to include items such as a wide variety of liquid detergents, insect repellents and even toothpaste. Growing their range as well as their domestic market shares, the company developed steadily and surely, their liquid detergents in particular being met with high demand.

Expansion remained peaceful and well-paced for the end of the

 868 67 - LABEL 

 Sadhoo Trace, El Socorro, Trinidad W.I. Tel: (868) 675-8581/3603/2235, 674-9049, Fax: (868) 674-0073

6-8 Norman Rd., Kingston C.S.O., Jamaica, Tel: (876) 380-7625

 www.hylinett.com  customer@hylinett.com 20 | Endeavour Magazine

century, but in 2009, difficulty struck. A devastating fire destroyed a much of CIC’s production facilities, an accident that was costly, not to mention shocking. However, the resilient company weren’t content to chalk the disaster up as a loss – instead, they took the resulting re-build as an opportunity to upgrade and modernise the

NV CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES CORP facilities. Only one year after the accident, CIC’s new production site

complications. In part, these involve the company’s network of

was completed and fully operational. In 2012, further investment

suppliers and distributors. The larger the field of play, the more

came in the form of a research and development push, as well an

complex this network becomes; CIC work with hundreds of

expansion into four new export markets. To date, their products

international suppliers daily, and are represented by multiple

are available in 15 countries throughout the Caribbean and Europe.

distributers in 15 countries across Europe and the Caribbean.

Based in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, CIC are well

Strong relationships with both of these groups is essential for clear

positioned for export trade. Their products are represented by

communication and smooth teamwork to occur. Fortunately, as

three key brands: Ozon, Sun and the one that started it all, Kli-Nol.

we’ve seen reflected in their core values, CIC not only respect their

Kli-Nol carries multi-purpose products – multi-surface detergents,

customers, but value their suppliers, distributors and partners as

sprays and polishes, and even bottled all-purpose cleaners of

well. As the company has stated; “We believe in building strong

various scents. The brand was a reliable, solid base upon which CIC

relationships with different partners in and outside of the region.

were able to branch out and specialise. Sun and Ozon achieved this,

We partner with different suppliers from around the world and

with Sun providing a straightforward range of essential cleaning

have distributors in most of the regional countries. They all, in their

products at a competitive price, whilst Ozon offers a wider range of

own expertise, contribute to making sure we can keep producing

heavier-duty, higher-end products for those who can spend a little

our quality products. Trust and a win-win mentality plays a big

more. CIC has this to say about the two brands:

role in reaching our goals. We are always up for partnering with

“Since 1985, Ozon has been the go-to brand for anyone who

companies that share these virtues.”

is determined to keep their surroundings and belongings clean and

Furthermore, in building good communication with their

fresh. Our team of researchers and developers are continuously

suppliers, CIC are able to monitor which company practises they

making it their personal goal to expand, improve and innovate the

support: “At CIC, we are determined to build strong foundations

Ozon product line. That is why we can offer our customers more

in order to grow our business’s profitability whilst decreasing our

than 40 different cleaning products in the washing and cleaning category.”

“Sun offers simplicity in cleaning. With its basic product line, it provides you with all the essential cleaning products you need to keep your home and laundry clean and fresh, while offering the best quality at the best price.”

Between the three brands, CIC have everyone covered, from one-product-fits-all cleaners to more choosy shoppers with a range of budgets. Even so, the above brands don’t cover all of CIC’s products – as well as three lesser brands, Witboi, Tropical Bush and Lysol, they also manufacture products that aren’t cleaning-related at all. As they were already manufacturing the packing for their own brands, the company realised that they could diversify and profit further from their operations by selling plastic packaging materials.

Out of their products, CIC credits Ozon as the one that carried them overseas. Having established themselves within Suriname, the company used Ozon as a catalyst for export success on a large scale in the 1990s. Off the back of the brand’s success, the Suriname company began trading in various major Caricom destinations such as Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Dominica and Antigua, with an impressive 20% share in competitive markets such as Trinidad and Barbados. Following this successful infiltration of the Caricom markets, the company now has its sights on the next ambitious horizon – the Americas.

New markets bring a slate of challenges, such as understanding the new customer base and marketing to them appropriately, understanding local business laws, and of course the logistical

22 | Endeavour Magazine

NV CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES CORP environmental footprint. Only by partnering with suppliers who

is the consolidate what they have built. However, in the coming

have these same ambitions will we succeed.”

years, they do hope to continue their expansion in both Surinam

This care and responsibility is a company virtue that played a

and the Caribbean by further promoting their Sun and Ozon brands.

central role in their recent anniversary celebrations. To mark their

They also have new plans for the products, both the formulas

50th birthday, CIC decided to give a little something back to their

themselves and their packaging, to make sure their updated

communities. As they announced in early autumn: “Up to and

products have a sleek, modern new look. Predicting that sales will

including November 2017, we will give away 50 well-filled cleaning

grow, CIC are also investing in a new warehouse to support the

packages each month to people and families who deserve and need

demand. They’re approaching the future with optimism, and rightly

it. It may be that they have done something unique for people from

so, with such a bank of achievements behind them. Here’s to 50

the neighbourhood, or for a larger part of society, but it may also

more squeaky-clean years!

be that they have something a bit more difficult than others.” The promotion encouraged people to nominate groups, friends and neighbours who had either done something inspiring for others or deserved a little extra help. The generous campaign ran until the end of November, a little pre-Christmas feel-good boost for those selected. Whilst cleaning products might not sound like the most exciting present to receive, they are household essentials, and good quality ones can make a house that is safe and homely to be in. The give-away, named Project 50/50, delivered packages to well over 100 people.

With 50 fruitful years of growth behind them, CIC’s current goal

24 | Endeavour Magazine

AMAZING WORLD NEUROSCIENCE: GIVING A VOICE TO THE VOICELESS

A

re

we

communicating

BY WILL GIRLING

effectively?

Greek philosopher from the 1st Century AD,

abilities; consciousness trapped in an inert

In an age of the smart phone’s

sagely advised that “we have two ears and

body. Since the condition was first defined

omnipresence,

one mouth so that we can listen twice as

in 1966 by Drs Jerome Posner and Fred

much as we speak”.

Plum, neurologists have not been idle in

‘unlimited

calls

&

texts’, Skype and FaceTime, it’s an unusual question to pose, yet we all still ponder it.

What if all you could do was listen, able

seeking ways for science to return a degree

George Bernard Shaw claimed that “the

to perceive and yet unable to move, speak

of normality to sufferers’ lives and grant

single biggest problem in communication is

or respond to your surroundings? This is

them the gift of communication.

the illusion that it has taken place”; in 1969,

the reality of those with a rare neurological

At the frontier of this new, pioneering

Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin sang that a

condition known as ‘locked-in syndrome’,

research have been the staff and students

“communication breakdown” was “driving

wherein the sufferer is rendered entirely

at the University of Tübingen, Germany.

him insane’” whilst Epictetus, an Ancient

paralysed but retains their normal cognitive

In 2006, a study by Dr B. Wilhelm et al.

26 | Endeavour Magazine

device that was altered to fit within the oral

made into a major motion picture in 2007

cavity of the patient’s mouth, they asked

(to great acclaim by critics and viewers alike).

her to separately imagine the flavours of

In 1995, Bauby suffered a massive stroke

lemon and milk, then assigned simple but

that placed him into a coma and resulted in

contrasting variables to each: ‘yes/no’ or

the total paralysis of his body, save for some

‘true/false’. Whenever the patient imagined

minute movement he retained in his left

the sour flavour of lemon, her saliva’s pH

eyelid. A writer by trade, Bauby was unwilling

became more acidic; when she imagined the

to let his condition compromise his talents

blander flavour of milk, her saliva became

and he set about composing a memoir to

less acidic. After proving that she could

lucidly describe exactly what living with the

reliably use either response as a substitute

condition was like. How, you may ask? A

for ‘yes’ or ‘no’, the team were finally able

scribe would recite the French alphabet to

to propose the study they had in mind. The

him - Bauby would think of a word and then

patient readily agreed.

blink for whichever letter he needed next in

Fast-forward just over ten years later,

order to spell it. Each word could reportedly

and the team at Tübingen are still hard at

take up to two minutes to spell using this

work. In early 2017 they announced the

method, and it has been calculated that it

trialling of a cap that uses infrared light to

must have taken approximately 200,000

detect minute variations of blood flow in

separate blinks over a period of ten-months

different hemispheres and regions of the

to write the resulting manuscript. Though

brain. With the data linked to specially-

he died from pneumonia shortly thereafter,

developed software, the doctors are able

it is clear that Jean-Dominique did not let

to distinguish patterns in response to

his condition destroy his resolve to carry on

‘yes/no’ questions and calibrate the cap

with his life.

in order to grant the wearer a degree of

It

is

remarkable

what

human

communication. Although the responses

determination, combined with scientific

available haven’t grown in sophisticated

ingenuity, can achieve, levelling even the

yet, the cap represents a far less invasive

most insurmountable of problems to a

solution, and with progress in the field

challenge instead of an impossibility. Open

developing at a seemingly exponential rate,

communication is something we all desire

who knows what the team might achieve in

within our everyday lives: with friends,

another ten years?

family, colleagues, and strangers. It is from an

This isn’t to say that the ingenuity of the

understanding of this need that neurologists

necessitated a relatively invasive procedure

scientist’s themselves is the sole method by

are

determined

to

commit

‘locked-in

on a ‘locked-in’ patient in order to test the

which those with ‘locked-in syndrome’ can

syndrome’ to the dusty pages of an antique

effectiveness of brain-computer interface

overcome their condition’s restrictions. It is

medical encyclopaedia, and we will most

(BCI) communication, wherein the brain is

a test, more than anything, of an individual’s

likely see its end within our lifetime.

directly wired to a computer system. The

will-power and determination in the face

female patient was fully conscious, so the

of something most of us would consider

scientists would legally need her consent

nightmarish. Perhaps the most famous

before they could proceed, yet how were

instance of the condition in popular culture

they to know if she agreed when every

comes from French author Jean-Dominique

muscle in her body was completely gripped

Bauby, whose best-selling memoir The

with paralysis? Utilizing a pH measuring

Diving Bell and the Butterfly (1997) was Endeavour Magazine | 27

AMARNA CONSULT LTD WWW.AMARNACONSULT.COM // 001 758 450 0227

SUCCESS BY DESIGN Originating from the sunny island of St Lucia, Amarna Consult is a small group with a wide influence, and an even greater vision. We spoke with Dannys Delgado MartĂ­nez, Senior Architect and 3D Specialist, about the services Amarna offer their many clients, and where the ambitious company is heading next.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

AMARNA CONSULT LTD Amarna Consult was founded in 2003 to provide services

in the fields of civil and structural engineering and architecture. In the fourteen years since, the company has evolved and expanded its services; their operations are now extensive, covering geotechnical engineering, construction supervision, project management, value engineering, soil sampling & drilling and soil testing.

D

uring this time, Armana’s reach had been growing as much

construction systems and are reluctant to use new technologies

as their capabilities - from modest beginnings in St. Lucia,

such as metal structures, flooring systems and insulated walls

the engineering company now has a presence across the

systems because they think are not as strong as traditional ones.

Caribbean, including St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad &

This is not true - these systems are internationally certified, and

Tobago, St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica and Grenada. Their ambition

have been proven to be as or more resistant than traditional ones.”

not stopping there, they next have their sights set on the Americas – both North, Central and South.

This

challenge

poses

the

conflict

facing

professional

construction and engineering groups in the region – on the one

Amarna Consult’s name has earnt a strong reputation in

hand, there is the pressure to stay as modern as possible, so that

every country it is has reached, with the company quickly making

your company is offering the very best in value and reliable quality.

themselves known. We spoke with Dannys Delgado Martínez,

However, although competing companies are aware of the benefits

Senior Architect and 3D Specialist, about how the company has

to these solutions, if the public remains wary, they will not hire

been received: “Over the last decade, Amarna has established an

your company to implement them. As with all times of change,

excellent reputation for delivering optimized and quality-controlled

marketing here is key, as is the need to innovate in a way that will

designs at unprecedented speed, and as the most cost-effective

appeal to the client. One approach taken by Amarna is to work to

solutions for our clients. In order to achieve this high degree of

existing designs whilst looking for strong and efficient alternatives

productivity and efficiency, our design process combines cutting-

to particular materials or solutions. By keeping solutions similar

edge technologies with the best and brightest minds the industry

in feel, but more cost effective and reliable in delivery, they are

has to offer.”

able to make the customer comfortable with and welcoming of the

These are confident claims, and this confidence is key; the

improved technologies in use.

construction industry is a highly competitive sector in the Caribbean,

The other way Amarna strives to implement and encourage the

especially in recent years. We spoke with Dannys about where

very best in modern engineering solutions is in working closely with

this competition is coming from; “New technologies are emerging

manufacturers. By collaborating, Amarna and their manufacturers

every day that make the construction process faster and cheaper”,

can combine their expertise to produce something that raises

he explains. With fast-paced innovation and evolution, a company

them both to a new level: “What characterizes us is the work in

must stay up to speed or fall behind, both in order to provide the

conjunction with the leading manufacturers of new technologies,

very best service, and also the most cost-effective. Amarna are well

generating solutions based on their products, benefiting each other

aware, and keep their eyes always on these developments; “Amarna

and satisfying all the expectations of the client.”

aims to provide our clients with a high-quality service, tailor-made

Some of manufacturers Amana Consult work most closely

to their needs, budgets and expectations. Our company makes its

with include the flooring system manufacturers Speedfloor USA,

designs based on the latest market technologies, providing more

headquartered in Ohio; the Brazilian steel frame and flooring

feasible solutions generating savings to our customers.”

system manufacturer Medabil, headquartered in Sao Paulo; the

“However, there are several challenges, especially here in

Trinitarian steel frame manufacturer Kee-Chanona Ltd. and the

the Caribbean. People are mostly familiarized with traditional

American insulated concrete block system manufacturer Omni

30 | Endeavour Magazine

AMARNA CONSULT LTD Block. This network is as wide-spread as the countries they operate

many creative challenges across his desk. “I was working for another

in, with links in North and South America already paving the way

company in St Kitts when I received the offer to join Amarna.

for the company’s planned expansions.

I did not hesitate for a moment; I knew it would be a very good

Despite being a small company of only 14 full-time employees, including technical and administrative staff, these manufacturers

opportunity to expand my knowledge and face new situations, and all at a regional level in a company of great prestige.”

are just one aspect of the company’s full, branching network:

In his three years with Amarna, Dannys has been able to test

“Amarna is characterized by making alliances with consultants,

his architectural knowledge, and has also learned and developed

manufacturers and construction companies with high prestige,

other essential skills, including those of leadership. In a close-

both at regional and international levels. As I mentioned before,

knit team, navigating this role well is essential. We asked Dannys

our designs are based on the new technologies, and for their

how he approaches the task, as well as what he sees as important

successful implementation, we make alliances with said companies

qualities in the company’s leading directors, MD Akhnaton St Rose

in order to offer a high-quality product.” At a local level, Amarna

and Technical Director Na’im Jn Pierre:

partner with companies such as Metro Construction and CMS,

“A leader must have mental, emotional and spiritual strength.

both headquarter in Santa Lucia. Further afield, their relationships

If you want to be an effective leader you must transmit a strength

include multidisciplinary consulting companies such as Coles

that will allow you to influence others. A leader must also present

Associates Ltd, headquartered in Canada, and the multinational

themselves as a good example, and must be enthusiastic about

TYPSA, which has offices in America, Europe, Asia, Africa and

the work. Finally, they should also be ethical - this is the backbone

Australia. Each connection not only allows the company to create

of leadership success, as employees are also people and deserve

the most efficient and advanced designs, but also expands the

a reciprocal respect. Ethics are also essential because a leader is

small company’s extensive influence and reach.

useless if they are not true to their word; if you want to be a great

Dannys has been a senior figure in Amarna’a select team for three years, and as a Senior Architect, the position has brought

32 | Endeavour Magazine

leader, there must be agreement between what you say and what you do.”

With such clear and inspiring goals for leadership, Amarna

long-term cooperation agreements and forming alliances with

are well-set to continue their work in guiding and improving

strategic partners. We aim to combine a highly skilled team with

construction efforts in the region. One of their vaster and most

the most innovative engineering practices in order to bring the very

important current projects is the assessment of the OECS

best solutions to our clients, and most of all, we aim to conduct all

(Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) Community Colleges - a

our business with the highest level of integrity.”

project aiming to enable the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Tourism

These are all solid strategies, but when chasing a vision, the

(ECIT) to meet the training and education needs of the diversified

most important ingredient is passion. Dannys knows this all too

hospitality and tourism sector in member countries. They are doing

well, and has strong feelings on how to move forwards for anyone

this by expanding the facilities at the OECS colleges – namely,

pursuing a goal:

upgrading the Tourism and Hospitality departments. “We undertake

“First, believe in what you want to do; believe in your dream no

an assessment of audio-visual requirements for ECLT and propose

matter what others say and how difficult it can be. Life is a learning

recommendations for retrofitting these facilities for the use of

process and success is reached through a path of failures. If we

virtual classrooms under the NETHTE project.” The project, taking

know how to accept them and we learn from them, we will have

place in multiple colleges throughout the Caribbean, will empower

new opportunities. That is why it is important to persevere, to

locals who are looking to enter the extremely lucrative tourism

not conform and to keep pushing until you reach your objective.

industry, opening up a reliable route into one of the strongest

Remember, losers let things happen and winners make things

sectors in the region.

happen.”

Amarna’s long-term goal is simple yet ambitious: to become one

These are some motivating words to enter the New Year on;

of the most respected engineering firms in the Caribbean region by

only time will tell if they take Amarna where it aims to go, and

2020. With their target date fast approaching, how are they going

Endeavour will be on hand to report back!

about chasing this goal? “Our strategy is to continue to expand our services to other countries by developing our network, establishing

and with piles of innovation, we are the collaborative future of reliable, durable and cost effective inshore and onshore construction, across the Caribbean

Ductile Iron Piles - DIP

A revolutionary prefabricated cast iron Plug&Drive© pile system which is changing the way the construction industry does business.

Fast. Simple. Safe.

This dynamic and flexible system removes the need for cumbersome, expensive, wasteful, labour intensive concrete piles and replaces them with an easily transported, user friendly, intelligently designed, reliable, quickly installed, simply deployed and managed cost effective foundation system.

They simply excel in overall performance.

A comprehensive range of inshore and onshore piling systems, as well as testing, construction, marine facilities design and engineering services are available from our multi talented collaborative group.

Contact us at: T: +1 758 458 3188 M: +1 758 485 1141 E: info@cms-sl.com W: cms-sl.com © Copyright 2017, CMS Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Endeavour Magazine | 33

LIFETIME SOLUTIONS WWW.LIFETIMESOLUTIONSTT.COM // 001 868 223 7663

RAISE THE ROOF Shelter is one of the basic needs we all want answered. Whether a status symbol, beloved home or practical necessity, it’s a universal goal. If we have it, we’re lucky; if it’s reliably made, we’re even luckier. Lifetime Solutions strive to provide safe, sturdy and cost-effective roofs to Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean, combining their good practises with their charitable work to support everyone’s right to get out of the elements.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

LIFETIME SOLUTIONS

If the events of 2017 have reminded us of anything, it’s

the value of having a roof over your head. From a rise in homelessness to refugees to a brutal hurricane season, those of us still with a home should take a moment to count our blessings. The Caribbean was one of the areas hit by the recent battle with the weather, and whilst some islands, such as Trinidad & Tobago, passed through with barely a scratch, neighbours of theirs such as Dominica and, most devastatingly, Puerto Rico suffered heavy damages.

R

un by CEO Deborah Costelloe and Managing Directors

years of experience to their team, as well as waterproofing-specific

Robert Costelloe (Contracts) and Kazim Boodoo (Sales &

expertise, the two companies merged their efforts, skill-sets and

Marketing), Lifetime Solutions is an experienced roofing and

portfolios and rebranded as one entity called Lifetime Solutions Ltd.

cladding company operating throughout Trinidad & Tobago and

A year later, the new entity won the TTCA Contractor of the Year

the Caribbean. Established by Robert Costelloe in 1985, Lifetime

Award for its specialty roofing work on Renaissance at Shorelands

Roofing Ltd., as it was known then, was a simple operation that

in Trinidad. Their reputation was secured, and their new identity

focused on the manufacture and installation of roofing products

was ready to become the go-to name it is now.

for both steep slope and flat roof applications. Over the years, they

Today, Lifetime Solutions is a full-service manufacturer and

branched out from this simple starting point, expanding to include

contractor, operating on commercial, residential and government

downstream products such as guttering and insulation alongside

projects. Their name has become synonymous with quality roofing

their initial service.

products and services on the islands and further afield. Their

In 1992, the company took this expansion to the next level,

overseas work includes operations and contracts in Grenada,

investing in manufacturing equipment in order to create their own

Dominica, St Lucia, Guyana, Tortolla and Barbados. However,

in-house products. As with all of their services, the company did

it is locally that they are best known, with their roofing used on

not approach this challenge lightly, instead bringing the very best

many of the island’s most essential builds, including clubhouses,

of emerging technology to the task; they became well-known for

resorts, The RBC bank Arima, Scarborough Hospital, Tobago and

roll forming a variety of materials on site, a method that protects

the Trincity Golf Course.

materials from damage by bypassing the need for transportation,

The company prides themselves on staying ever up to date with

as well as allowing the company to offer clients full-length panels

the most advanced products and methods, able to pioneer ahead

without joins, which create a stronger and more aesthetic final

on the most complex of jobs for their clients. They have every

result. Off the back of this method, the company won the Metal

aspect of roofing covered, able to provide architects, engineers

Re-roofing Project Award in 1993, and later the Residential Roofing

and contractors with custom designs, profiles and installation

Project Award in 1998.

methods. Their offerings include purlins and roof decking; metal

For many years, this reputation and range of services was

roofing; framing and decking, cladding, insulation, guttering,

enough, but in time, the company once again saw an opportunity to

skylights, soffits, and even windows and doors. Clients have the

push themselves and offer more to their islands. In 2012, Lifetime

option to simply order materials or to benefit from the company’s

Roofing Ltd. acquired TARMET (Trinidad Asphalt & Metal Roofing

expert installation.

Ltd), a leading company in flat roof waterproofing. Adding over 30 36 | Endeavour Magazine

When it comes to servicing your roof, it’s important to use a

LIFETIME SOLUTIONS trusted company that can locate the problem and repair it quickly.

their love of their islands and local community has shown, they

Fortunately, Lifetime Solutions are calling on the wisdom and

want to improve more than roofs – they want to improve lives.

insight gathered from over 30 years of experience and expertise.

In the company’s own words, “At Lifetime Solutions, we believe

Known for their quick response time, 24-hour availability and

that everyone has the responsibility of playing a role to enhance

expertly trained staff, the Lifetime Solutions team is dedicated to

the society around them through actions, words or both. We’ve

providing a high-quality maintenance service no matter what or

committed ourselves to embrace responsibility for our actions and

when the emergency. These services include repairing, repainting

to encourage a positive impact on our environment, consumers,

and cleaning, as well as the replacing of broken or worn parts. On

employees, stakeholders and community at large.”

top of taking care to ensure satisfaction with their own products,

The company have participated in several charitable initiatives,

the company will also install and even repair roofs from other

contributing to projects supporting sport, art and culture,

companies, with all of their staff trained and experienced in any

healthcare, education and community development. For example,

roof system.

in 2014, they contributed roofing materials to the construction

Lifetime Solutions staff and field workers have been recognized

of an auditorium and dining hall for the Inter School Inter Varsity

as some of the Caribbean’s most skilled and dedicated roofers in

Christian Fellowship (ISIVCFTT), supporting young Christian youth

the industry, and they aren’t planning on falling behind, with regular

in the area.

training and development to make sure they stay ahead of the

This was just one of the company’s recent charitable

game. “As we evolve to meet new demands, our installers become

endeavours. Lifetime Solutions have also partnered with the

more and more capable of handling the most intricate details and

non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity, to donate roofing

solving any problem.”

materials for houses being built for underprivileged families, and

However, roofing problems aren’t the only ones Lifetime Solutions are committed to solving. As their name implies and

have provided similar support for other members of the public through a variety of charities.

High Quality Roofing supplied in the Caribbean by High Quality Roofing supplied in the Caribbean by

www.Steel-Link.nl 38 | Endeavour Magazine

Not limiting their community involvement to roofing-related aid, the company has also supported a range of other initiatives: they recently partnered with the Living Water Community to donate professional business clothing to the underprivileged, to assist them in employability and progression at work; their staff have supported Scotiabank Women against Breast Cancer 5K runs and the Arima Green Mountain marathon; in community work, they have sponsored many sportspeople in football, golf and the triathlon – for example, they sponsored a team to enter the 6th Annual Coral Cup Classic Golf Tournament, an event that donated its proceeds to the NGO Raffa House, which houses and cares for abandoned and abused children.

When you provide the roof to people’s homes and community centres, you bring security to their whole lives. Lifetime Solutions have taken this to heart, supporting their community as well as their customers. From struggling families to large-scale development projects, this company is ready to bring its expertise to the table, to create and maintain something lifechanging that will stand the test of time, whatever weather is thrown its way.

Endeavour Magazine | 39

AMAZING WORLD A WORLD OF NEW YEARS

BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

A

nother year has begun! Around the world, those of us who have stepped over into a new calendar year this

January 1st have undoubtedly celebrated in our own ways, be it with family, friends or as part of a peaceful night alone. Despite being nothing more than a bi-product of how we mark the passage of time, a New Year carries a symbolic significance; it feels like a mental, emotional and even spiritual restart, where we draw a line under the year behind us and look ahead to the next 365 days. Perhaps you are celebrating memories and milestones, or looking forward to better things; either way, our brains can’t help but see the event through symbolic lenses, and we have plenty of ways to express and celebrate the feeling. We had a look around the world for some of the most colourful ways 2018 was ushered in: For many cultures, there is the belief that the way we step over this threshold will set the tone for the following year.

Unsurprisingly, various superstitions have evolved with fun little rituals to ‘guarantee’ good luck. Japan hosts one of the most traditional, ringing bells 108 times in order to bring cleanliness of the mind and soul. They also share a nearly universal belief that you should always enter the New Year smiling!

The metal casters of Finland have a similarly archaic-feeling tradition, this time attempting to divine what lies ahead in the coming year. They attempt this by casting molten tin into a bucket of cold water, reading the shapes like tealeaves or apple peels. This tradition probably stems from the Merovingian period in Finland’s early history, where Roman influence saw the Finns develop as well-respected craftspeople, known in particular for their fine weapons and jewellery.

40 | Endeavour Magazine

Whilst it’s easy to see where these

Understandably, many cultures attempt

practises have come from, many countries

to create prosperity by celebrating it. In

celebrate in far obscurer, and much more

Estonia, families usher in a year of plenty by

ridiculous ways! In the Philippines, good luck

eating seven meals on New Year’s Eve (like

in the New Year is all about making money.

smiling Japan, they start the year as they

How to they encourage those lovely round

mean to go on). Interestingly, the tradition

coins to come towards them? By surrounding

in Spain and many Hispanic cultures of

themselves with as many round objects as

eating 12 grapes is a bit of a twist on this –

possible. Round food, round decorations,

instead of wishing for a plentiful harvest, the

round accessories – the more circles you

tradition was actually created as a reaction

have, the more drawn to you the coins will

to one. It is an unusually recent creation,

be! Colombia are even more literal with

started by Alicante’s grape farmers in 1909

their good luck charms, carrying suitcases

as a way to make some money off of the

around with them all day in hopes of a

surplus grapes from that year’s unexpectedly

travel-filled year.

large harvest. It was a clever business rouse,

similar tradition, throwing the unwanted

by sleeping at the cemetery with those that

plates out the window, but as you can

were closest to them.

imagine, the practice didn’t translate well to

As

Chile

shows,

some

countries’

high-rise urban living. In South Africa, they

traditions are closer to their superstitious

take this idea a step further, throwing whole

roots than others. Puerto Rico throw pails of

pieces of unwanted furniture out of their

water out of their windows to drive away evil

windows! Meanwhile, in Ecuador, paper-

spirits, whilst Ireland scare away their spirits

filled scarecrows are burned along with

by beating the walls of their home with

photos from the past year – out with the old,

bread. Both ideas are a way of protecting the

and in with the new.

household, playing off of the idea of spiritual

Of these ‘purge’ traditions, the most

‘thresholds’ that make a family’s space safe

literal comes from the Chumbivilcas Province

from anything spooky. Over in Scotland,

in Peru. A small village practise, rather than

they take a different approach, instead

burning effigies or breaking plates, the locals

placating any bad spirits with gifts; the first

take their issues out on the source. Every

person to step over the house’s threshold in

year ends with the Takanakuy Festival, a

the New Year goes armed with a present, to

and is now a beloved part of many Spanish

socially approved time to settle scores from

keep any lurking bad luck away.

New Year celebrations.

the past year with fist fights! The idea is to

It’s curious what odd little rituals can

Possible the most energetic of these

enter the New Year with a clean slate and

become beloved family traditions, even long

‘good luck’ traditions is Denmark’s ‘high

no bad blood - it seems like an odd way

after the superstitions fade. Yet even if we

jump’. The Danish ‘jump’ into the New Year

to celebrate, but in a small village where

have left such beliefs behind, there’s still

by launching themselves off piles of stacked

everyone knows everybody else, it isn’t too

that little satisfaction in starting off the New

chairs - that sounds less like a recipe for

hard to imagine how the first Takanakuy

Year right, as if putting the right foot forward

good luck, and more like one for injuries!

Festival started!

at the off will have a positive snowball effect

However, they aren’t stopping there. A

In fact, the only country that seems

strong New Year’s theme for many cultures is

to want to say a fond farewell to its

the idea of purging unwanted elements from

past is Chile.

for the next 365 days.

However you welcomed in 2018, here’s to a positive one! As for our list, we think

the past, often by destroying something. In

Chilean families spend the night of the

the prize for the strangest tradition goes to

Denmark, amidst all the lunatics leaping off

31st in the company of their deceased loved

Siberia, whose hardy people may be found

of chairs, this means smashing their chipped

ones; far from the parties and fireworks we

carrying tree trunks and jumping into frozen

and unwanted crockery. Romania had a

are used to, they welcome in the new Year

lakes. Why? Well, why not?

Endeavour Magazine | 41

PPC ZIMBABWE WWW.PPC.CO.ZA/ZIMBABWE // 263 979 241

CEMENTED IN HISTORY When the team here at Endeavour last spoke to Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) Zimbabwe in 2014, they had just finished celebrating their 2013 centenary. We like to catch back up with companies we have featured and see how they are getting on, and we are delighted to hear PPC are now celebrating another milestone - the 125th anniversary of their founding in South Africa, back in 1892!

WRITTEN BY JAMES LAPPING

PPC ZIMBABWE

PPC Zimbabwe are one of the leading manufacturers and

suppliers of cement and aggregates in Southern Africa. With operations in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Rwanda, spanning across 11 different factories, PPC is going from strength to strength. This has been secured by PPC’s long lasting dominance of the industry in the region.

he company was established in 1892, known then as De

T

However, it hasn’t been 125 years of plain sailing. Turbulent

Eerste Cement Fabrieken. This was the very first cement plant

times hit Zimbabwe throughout the last three decades: the

founded in South Africa. Since then, the company has evolved

economy became crippled, and during a period of hyperinflation

into what we now know as PPC, with their first Zimbabwean

in the early 2000s, sales dropped from an industry record of 1.1

operations established in 1913, just east of Bulawayo. Sales

million tonnes in 1999 to as low as 400,000 in the following years.

formally began in September 1914, and exports began on the

Even so, PPC remained resilient; since the demonetization of the

continent in 1916, with supplies transported to Northern Rhodesia

Zimbabwean dollar in 2015, and the following recognition of more

(now Zambia) and the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic

stable currencies such as the US dollar, pound sterling and the

of Congo). Further developments were made when, in 1946, the

euro, the cement industry has found stability and recovered to a

company established their Colleen Bawn factory, which they still

steady growth once more.

operate today. Business was booming due to the high demand for

This hectic recent history may put off certain investors, but it

cement in various construction developments; this was a catalyst

hasn’t stopped interest in PPC. In late 2017, they rejected offers

for the creation of the PPC brand Unicem, which formed from a

from Canadian company Fairfax Financial Holdings and South

merger between PPC and another local cement company, Rhocem.

African firm AfriSam, both of whom were interested in major shares

Despite well-established competition within the region and on

in the company. It comes as no surprise that these recent offers

the continent, PPC continues to be a force to be reckoned with.

have been put on the table; in November this year, the company

With a premium range of products, they are able to fulfil your

were proud to announce a 36% rise in their half-year earnings. The

cement needs for any style of project. They have five brands of

smooth operations at the Colleen Bawn factory played a major role

cement available: PMC, Unicem, Surebuild, OPC, and the newly

in this. In our previous discussion with PPC in 2014, we discovered

released Surecast. These cements are suitable for a variety of

that between 2010-2013, $23million was spent on the factory,

different building operations, whether this be DIY at home,

to increase the volume of production. Clearly, this injection of

professional construction projects requiring brick work, or high

funds cemented the company’s strength in the industry, and also

strength concrete structures. It is this varied application of their

empowered them to turn down inquiries and offers that they

products that has allowed PPC Zimbabwe to stand the test of time,

don’t feel represent the worth of the company. That is not to say

as the consistent high quality of their cement has allowed them to

that PPC would refuse all offers it receives; since the talks with

keep one step ahead of competitors.

AfriSam and Fairfax, PPC has had interest shown by Irish cement

44 | Endeavour Magazine

“Cementing Partnerships through Generations”

Contact in Zimbabwe: Contact H/O in South Africa: Website:

(Office) + 263 9 79241 Email : sales @ppc.co.zw (Office) +27 11 386 9000 www.ppc.co.za or www.ppc.co.zw

People Passion Packaging Both Mature Organization - PPC 125 years old & Constantia Afripack Sacks 75 years old Market leaders in Cement (PPC) and Sacks (Afripack Sacks - Paper & WPP) Respected, Dominant, Responsible & Preferred Reliable Suppliers in Africa Always conscious about Quality, Environmental & Health factors Fostering Innovation & Technological Leads Accelerating Indiginization Programme in Zimbabwe and Africa - launch 2018

Flexibles

Afripack Sacks

Our Strength. Your Vision.

Contact : (Office)+27 31 452 1300 : ( Mobile ) +27 82 808 9500 Email :ravin.ramdheen@afripack.cflex .com

PPC ZIMBABWE company CRH, African competitors Dangote, and are still in talks

stimulating employment and enriching the Zimbabwean workforce

with European giants LafargeHolcim about a possible merger. At

through local manufacturing operations.”

the time of writing this article, no deals have formally been made

In Endeavour’s previous article on PPC Zimbabwe, the Director

with PPC, but if they are made a suitable offer in the near future,

of Business Development at the time of interview, Mr Gavin

this would surely be the start of even more exciting prospects for

Stephens, stated that there had been interest in opening a factory

the company.

on Harare. The justification was so that the company could evenly

Although these talks of a merger are still speculative, there are

spread its operations across the country. Now competed, the

some recent developments that are set in stone. Shortly before the

factory puts PPC’s total production up to an annual 1.8 million

official 125th birthday of PPC, formally celebrated on the 22nd

tonnes. This would suffice to supply the whole of Zimbabwe, which

April 2017, PPC Zimbabwe officially opened its new $82 million

means there is now an opportunity to look into the export market

cement plant in Harare. The company has described the plant

to countries such as Mozambique.

as a “world-class facility that boasts the latest technology in the

The future looks promising for PPC Zimbabwe. Though

construction industry, and is designed in adherence with global

competition in the industry still remains, their continued growth

emissions standards.” Discussing the opening, they continued to

and ability to supply the demand for cement sets this company

say, “PPC has a heritage of over one hundred years in Zimbabwe,

apart. With a rise in sales, the new Harare plant and talks underway

and a track record for providing cutting-edge building materials and

for a possible merger that could bring a huge financial injection,

solutions that cater to the needs of every construction project, from

there is no reason to dismiss the notion that PPC could enjoy

start to finish. PPC’s vision is to develop African infrastructure and

another 125 years of dominance in the African cement industry.

people; the construction of the Harare plant represents our belief in continuously making a positive impact on Zimbabwe’s economy by

46 | Endeavour Magazine

JINDAL AFRICA WWW.JINDALAFRICA.COM // 27 11 706 8420

DIGGING DEEPER Last month, we spoke with Jindal Africa to learn about their plans for Jindal’s freshest African frontiers.

This month, we got to know the new CEO of Jindal Africa, to see how these operations fit into a bigger, booming picture for the Jindal Group.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

JINDAL AFRICA An offshoot of the India-based Jindal Group, Jindal Africa

predominantly focuses its efforts on mining.

Headquartered in South Africa, with operations in some of Africa’s most resource-rich countries, the company sources and mines coal for both its parent company and the global market. As we touched on last month, Jindal Africa has several budding new ventures, including developing assets in Namibia and Cameroon and a potential power plant planned for Mozambique and Botswana. However, their two main areas of focus are its operations in South Africa and Mozambique.

W

e returned to Jindal to speak with Jona Pillay, company CEO, to talk about these larger-scale sites:

Given the competitive nature of the sector, Jindal Africa has a challenge on its hands in setting itself apart from its rivals. “It’s all

“We have two main operations – one in South Africa,

down to being cost effective. We’ve been doing a lot of initiatives

where we’re specifically mining for anthracite coal, and in the Tete

in terms of keeping costs down – upscaling our people, refusing

province of Mozambique, where we are mining for coking coal and

unnecessary expenditure. Once your costs are driven to the right

thermal coal. Our coking coal supplies our parent company in India,

efficiencies, you can compete in the market on price.

whilst the thermal coal is sold on the global market. Output from the South African mine is sold both locally and internationally.”

Initiatives such as the new projects in Mozambique play an essential role in keeping Jindal Africa efficient, cost effective and at

Mozambique, in particular, is the focus of several development

the top of their game. Between competition and a market with an

initiatives for Jindal. One project is the expansion of the area’s

unstable recent history, one would expect Jona to have concerns.

downstream mining activities, such as their coal washeries, which is

However, an experienced hand at the field, he knows how to read

predicted to double in capacity by the first quarter 2018 and bring

his market, and he isn’t worried; “I think prices are relatively stable.

about great cost advantages.

They are obviously volatile from time to time, but currently we find

This would be impressive enough, but it is not even the

that, specifically for thermal coal, they are at a very stable level.”

company’s most ambitious project in the country. Jona divulged:

For coking coal, it is a different story, as the market has been

“We’re in discussions with the government of Mozambique about

far from steady. “On the coking coal side, we’ve seen two phases

setting up a 150 MW power plant. From the coal we actually mine

where the impact of China drove prices all the way up to $300 per

out, 70% is ‘discard coal’ – coal we have no use for. However, it is

ton, and then it came down as fast as it went up. So, before we

good coal for power plant consumption.” The new plant would both

could even reap the benefits of the very high price, the price was

improve profits for Jindal Africa and would greatly reduce waste, as

coming down. The same thing happened a few months later, when

well as providing much needed power and employment in the area.

Australia had the flooding and the coking coal prices increased

“The economics for the power plant are favourable – especially in a

exponentially, but it also came down just as fast.” Again, this lack

country like Mozambique, which has a power deficit. It will play well

of stability doesn’t have Jona worried – he knows that a skilled

into the power pool.” It is a win-win situation. In fact, Jona believes

company creates its own. Between their coking coal largely being

that both projects will be a boon to the country’s economics, as

consumed by the Jindal Group, and this coal type being a hard-to-

well as Jindal Africa’s efficiency and profit margins.

come-by resource in Africa, these problematic conditions have had

50 | Endeavour Magazine

JINDAL AFRICA a minimal effect on sales. Meanwhile, Jindal Africa’s thermal coal

business and will soon reap the rewards on our top and bottom line.

and Anthracite coal are well sought-after, so it’s highly acceptable

With such fast results, Jona is clearly doing something right.

in the market. “Overall, we have a good bouquet of products that

Good leadership from a CEO calls for experience in the field and

is well received.”

shrewd business sense, but it also requires the right approach with

Being part of the larger Jindal family puts Jindal Africa in an

staff. “My philosophy is to empower, but to also hold accountable.

ideal position, providing them with security without smothering

I normally give free reign to the team to do what’s right for the

their operational freedom. Jindal Africa’s relationship with its

business. Obviously, I set directions and goals, and set priorities

parent company is close but separate. As the main purchaser of

so they’re not cluttered with 20 different things, but once that is

their Mozambique mine’s coking coal, there is naturally a great

established, I let them go. Then, I look at the results. I look at the

deal of back and forth over order placement, delivery, commercial

scoreboard all the time – the scoreboard matters. When dealing

terms and similar. In most other areas, the Indian parent entrusts

with his subordinates he believes in “tough love”.

Jindal Africa’s operations to its staff. “On any given day, we operate

Whilst tough love is an excellent strategy for encouraging and

independently. Decisions are taken here in Africa – we deal with

developing staff, Jindal Africa is not holding back on the love when

the local communities, local stakeholders, local customers.” Matters

it comes to developing their local communities. The Matafuleni

such as HR and PR are run past India for guidance and company

Early Childhood Development Centre, inaugurated by Jona in

cohesion, but the Indian company has the wisdom to know that

September, was the latest in many community improvement

local matters are best left to local minds that have the insight and

projects funded and organised by Jindal Africa. The company

feet on the ground to make those calls.

works to improve the quality of life in the areas around their mines:

Heading up those calls is Jona; before he was recruited for

“These very remote villages. We provide soccer fields for the kids,

Jindal, the CEO worked in coal-to-liquid operations for 16 years,

some fencing at schools, medical camps regarding HIV and cancer

leaving him more than qualified for the position. Although this

– we keep engaging in many activities.” In the case of the Early

experience was mostly in India, the South African local didn’t take long to re-acquaint himself with his home market. Jona was hired by the parent company between 2010 and 2017 to help with their most ambitious project at the time - India’s very first coal gasification plant. The plan for the plant was an ambitious, first-ofits-kind process that would turn the coal into gas, and the gas was used in its Steel producing plant as a reduction gas. The plant was

IMVUKUZANE CONSTRUCTION CC Construction Of Residential And Non-Residential Buildings

designed to run on India’s indigenous coal for energy security, and it was intended to be the first of many in the country. Jona spent four and a half years on the project, which came to completion in end 2014.

Prompted by the project’s success, Jona was appointed as Executive Director for Steel Projects where he was involved in the company’s most ambitious 6 million ton per annum integrated Steel plant in Orissa Angul - India where the company constructed India’s largest Blast Furnace.

“By qualification, I’m a chemical engineer, so it’s a very diverse portfolio from petrochemical to steel to mining. When I went to India, that was quite challenging – it was a new country – but coming back to South Africa, because it’s home, you settle in easier.

Proud to be working with Jindal Africa

I got on top of things quite quickly.” Jona hasn’t wasted time – he has only held the position for a few months, but his progress as CEO is already measurable. “We went through a very rigid exercise of minimising costs, streamlining the business, improving efficiencies and improving the overall morale levels of our workforce and key stakeholders. In the last four months, we’ve already seen a sudden increase in production stability: much higher volumes, better outputs, better efficiencies. We’ve made big changes all around the 52 | Endeavour Magazine

102 Kenton Close, 4091 Durban - Wiggins KwaZulu-Natal - South Africa 031 562 3133

Childhood Development Centre, Jindal Africa saw a nursery in one of the areas neighbouring their mines that was in desperate need of a new building – so they bought some land and constructed it for them. “The local community had a nursery school for 50 kids.

They were basically operating from a rough tin construction, so we decided to buy them a portion of land and built them a nice brick building that could accommodate 50 kids. We got it all kitted out, then invited the community and handed over the keys to the local

Empowering Local Women

leadership there. The kids were extremely happy with it.”

Jona has only recently arrived at Jindal Africa’s helm, but already the results are showing both for the company and the community at large. Given the efficiency and savings achieved in so short a time, the future for Jindal’s African operations are more than promising.

If they can continue to streamline and cut out unnecessary costs, their secure place in the market could turn into a highly competitive position. Who knows which giants they may be taking on in the future? We look forward to catching up with them again to find out!

Underground conveyor maintenance services • Underground Belt Sweeping • Paving Grass Cutting • Coal mining • Trucking or Logistics • Front End Loader Supplier • Stone development crew • Ventilation wall • Underground roof support • Pillar strapping • Laundry • Cleaning Offices and yards • All back-bye operations, maintenance and installation and services • Community Development projects • Building and Construction • Land rehabilitation • Ventilation Wall Bricks Supplier PO Box 1287, Intuthuko, 2383 Fax: 017 820 5040, Tel: 017 826 0354 www.obcm.co.za

Endeavour Magazine | 53

DLA INVESTMENTS GRANITE QUARRIES WWW.DLAGRANITE.COM // 27 12 256 4506

ROCK SOLID South Africa is a hub for many mining operations, and yet granite isn’t one we often discuss.

DLA Investments are changing this, providing a persistent and dependable supply of product, of surprisingly homogeneous quality.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

DLA INVESTMENTS GRANITE QUARRIES

Mining for granite and marble is considered one of the

oldest industries in our history, with the organised, large-scale practise dating as far back as Ancient Egypt. The materials are still mined today, now sought the world over, with granite exporters found in China, Italy, India, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Spain, the United States and, of course, Africa.

A

ncient Egypt utilised its granite to build vast and world-famous monuments that survived the sands of time: some of the most notable include Menkaure’s Pyramid, circa 26th century

BC, which combined granite and limestone, the Great Pyramid of Giza’s famous sarcophagus fashioned of Red Aswan granite, and the granite capstone to Amenemhat III’s Black Pyramid, now found in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. These examples were just some of the many uses of granite, which was mined using slave labour and carved to create columns, door lintels, window sills, wall and floor veneers and many other details adorning Ancient Egyptian architecture.

Whilst they undertook the oldest practise of this scale, Egypt was not the only country to heavily feature granite in early construction. The material became an integral part of Ancient Roman architecture, and even when their reserves thinned, they began to recycle and re-use the stone, implementing it for statues, houses of status, public buildings and temples. However, the world’s first entirely granite temple was construction in South India in the 11th Century AD, under the rule of the Chola Dynasty’s Rajaraja Chola I. The Brihadeeswarar Temple, built in Tanjore in 1010, was dedicated to Lord Shiva and was the tallest temple standing in South India at the time. The Gopuram alone – an ornate upper section to the temple’s shrine – is estimated to weight around 81 tonnes!

Whilst we no longer use granite so excessively, it still has a place in modern architecture. Its resilience and impressive appearance

56 | Endeavour Magazine

DLA INVESTMENTS GRANITE QUARRIES has kept the stone a popular choice for monuments and memorials,

quarry is designed to provide a constant supply of granite. We

and also as a decorative tile and dimension stone for public and

have plentiful reserves to sustain long term future delivery. We are

commercial buildings. However, its uses aren’t purely for pomp;

also committed to operating within an environmentally sustainable

granite is an extremely hardy stone, and as such, a highly practical

framework by adopting responsible environmental care principles

one. Its weight and cost has seen modern materials replace it in

throughout the life cycle of our activities, including rehabilitation of

some contexts, but it is still a popular choice for engineers when it

the land.” This after-care for the land reflects a responsible attitude

comes to purchasing reliable surface plates. Used as a platform for

that extends to all areas of the company’s operations. Not only

precision work, it is essential for surface plates to be solid, resilient

protecting their product and the environment, DLA are also careful

and perfectly smooth, the flat surface needing to be accurate up to

to protect their workforce, stating that “management is active in

0.00001 inches. This is why granite remains a popular choice.

ensuring a safe, healthy and financially secure environment for all

This is also where DLA Investments Granite Quarries (DLA)

of our employees.”

comes in. South Africa, and Africa as a continent, are well known for

DLA’s conscientiousness does not stop there, but instead

their mining, including but not limited to world-famous diamonds,

extends beyond their work practises and the consequences

gold and coal. However, since Egypt’s early claim to fame, Africa

entirely, to include generous and empowering care for the local

is not well known for granite. Whilst this may be the case, the

community. Working particularly closely with the people of

continent certainly has granite to mine; DLA, based in South Africa

Sonop, the site of DLA’s first quarry, the company has sponsored

and affiliated with Afrika National Granite Ltd, claim that their

and been involved in many initiatives seeking to further the

own supplies are plentiful. On top of this, they are currently the

education of local children. For example, in partnership with non-

only quarry in South Africa that can produce blocks suitable for

profit organization The Better Living Foundation, DLA sponsored

manufacturing into surface plates. They are able to provide first

educational seminars on drug awareness for the students at Sonop

grade materials to surface plate manufacturers in blocks up to 15m

Primary School. Additionally, in partnership with the One Book One

in length, with a maximum of 70 tons per block. Whilst their granite

Learner project, DLA delivered workshops to both the teachers and

is sold and exported for all purposes, this ability to manufacture industry-ready surface plates that is putting DLA on the granite map.

Granite is a natural material, and as such, is subject to variations in colour and properties. Even so DLA are remarkably confident in their material’s consistency, boasting that it is extremely steady throughout. This makes their mines a desirable source, as the fewer variables in a supplier’s product, the easier it is for their clients to plan and work efficiently. In this case, the apparently unvarying stone is an “unfractured medium grained dark grey rock, consisting of phenocryst of grey and black minerals”, according to DLA’s official description. The company can provide this stone to its clients as gangsaw blocks of raw material cut to any size and dimension up to 10m.

DLA’s granite is sold both locally and on the export market. In fact, the division is pretty equally split, with around 50% of DLA’s market found within South Africa and the other 50% arranged through agents in Taiwan, North America and Eastern Europe. Today, DLA is run by Director Greta Del Sal, who took over the company in 2014. DLA currently has five quarries in operation, a remarkable four of which were opened since Greta took over leadership three years ago. The impact of this vast and gutsy expansion is already clear: production has doubled, with an even higher return likely in the years to come. To make the most of their new resources, DLA also recently invested heavily in new equipment from Barloworld.

In particular, this equipment was intended for two of their four new mines, both of which only opened within the last year.

DLA are thinking ahead, considering the sustainability not only of their operations and delivery for their clients, but also the ongoing environmental sustainability of the land they mine. “Our 58 | Endeavour Magazine

primary school students at the school after they became aware that many students were struggling with learning maths. The company had this to say about the initiative: “This unique project has yielded great results across South Africa. Students are now taught that maths is a language like any other, and they were shown how to use their personal maths dictionaries so that they can understand all the concepts and terminology they need in order to do well.”

The workshops were an incredible success, not only on the day, but in the ongoing benefits they yielded for students: “For the Grade 7 learners, 92% improved their results by an average of 26%, which is exceptional.” The results show a genuine difference made in the lives of these children – in other words, the future employees and entrepreneurs of the area. “We wanted to contribute to our local community and give the children all the gains possible.

Through education, we are doing our part to revitalize our nation by empowering our youth with knowledge.” This support not only contributes to a more secure future for these children, but by extension, the country and continent as a whole. As DLA continues to mine its reliable product, they will continue to do their part in supporting the Africa of tomorrow, in the hopes it can that it can someday soon be as solid and consistent as the granite they export.

Harlen Quarry Supplies are a consumables supplier to the dimension stone and construction industries in Southern Africa.

We carry a full range of consumables which includes: • Diamond Wire • Rock Breaking Chemical “Nex-Pand” • AXT crown, reaming shells and rods • 100% Carburized drill steels • A full range of Knock off drill bits and Directional drill bits • DTH Hammers and bits • Hydro bags • Granitex and fuses (2.0m and 3.5m) • Wet and Dry Hava Rock drills

Building P5200, Gate 1 Necsa Industrial Estate Pelindaba, Broederstroom 0240, South Africa Tel: 012-305-5237 Mobile: +27 83-616-0523 - Dustin www.harlenquarrysupplies.co.za Endeavour Magazine | 59

AUTOMOTIVES MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS 2017 ESTATE

T

he Germans know how to make a truly beautiful car, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is no exception. This vehicle

offers top-notch luxury, whilst still being a fantastically practical every-day car.

The E-Class is a sleek looking car that is imposing on the road. In fact, I think the Estate version is even prettier than the Saloon. It has excellent sound proofing from the outside world, creating a relaxing place to be. For such a big car, it is easy to drive around town and offers good visibility - it even has an excellent reversing camera to assist with town parking. However, it excels as a long-distance cruiser. The transmission is very smooth: its seven-speed automatic gearbox returns official figures of 57MPG, although we averaged 47MPG over nearly 1000 miles of motorway and country driving. Even so, I was still very impressed with the MPG return.

The Estate’s cabin is lovely - there is loads of space inside, with luxurious head and leg room. The driver’s cabin, in particular, is

under the boot floor. The rear load cover

driving. However, it can be a little frustrating

simply beautiful, with everything falling into

and netting come all-in-one, and once the

on a busy motorway. The semi-autonomous

the correct place. Wood and leather, great

cover is in place, it obscures all of your items

driving effectively lets the car drive itself by

dials and an infotainment control centre

in the boot, meaning there is nothing visible

accelerating, braking and even steering itself

makes this a wonderful place to be. Even

to tempt thieves. Helpfully, this cover is built

- you do have to touch the steering wheel

better, the E-Class’ space is as practical as it

on sliders, meaning that when the tailgate

on occasions, though, just to remind the car

is comfortable.

lifts, it automatically moves out of the way -

you are still there!

The Estate has a huge boot, and when

a nice little touch.

On the motorway, I set the car for 70mph

the back seats are down, they create an

Mercedes’ adaptive cruise control is one

and sat behind another car traveling at the

enormous flat load bay with a hands-free

of the best around. It is safe and intuitive,

same speed. However, even on the shortest

tailgate. There is also additional storage

working brilliantly with town and country

allowable distance between us, I was

60 | Endeavour Magazine

constantly being overtaken or undertaken

the green light to dive in front of me, and the

sleeve: a hidden gunner’s seat in the boot,

by cars jumping into this space. The Merc

poor brakes were working overtime trying to

giving the car the ability to seat people.

would have to brake aggressively to adjust

adjust and readjust the distance.

Ideally, this seat is for kids, but we sat

the space between me and the new car in

Mind

you,

the

E-Class

was

very

two adults in the back without too many

front. This became infuriating, but wasn’t

comfortable on the long journey. I made a

a failure of the Merc so much as the other

point of being a rear passenger for a few

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a

drivers for not keeping appropriate distance.

hours and it was fabulous. I had lots of leg

starting price of around £37,000. Our

At one point, I set the distance to the

and headroom, and even my own heating

Estate, with its carious extras, starts nearer

recommended amount of two chevrons, and

and blower controls; I nestled down and the

to £51k

this was laughable. With this safe distance,

hours flew by.

every driver and their dog thought this was

The big Merc had a further ace up its

complaints.

The question is, do I want one? The answer: hell yes!

Endeavour Magazine | 61

TANESCO WWW.TANESCO.CO.TZ // 255 022 2451130

LIGHTING UP YOUR LIFE With the Tanzanian Government set to heavily reinvest in the energy sector over the coming years, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited is ready and able to handle the surge, just as it has done consistently since its inception in 1933. Endeavour Magazine decided to find out what all the buzz is about.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

TANESCO

The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) came

about as a result of a complex and involved evolution process, but we’ll try to give you the condensed version. In 1931, two energy companies were brought into being: TANESCO and DARESCO. Each was focused on supplying energy to different regions and, as you’ve probably guessed, following a period of political change, the two were eventually merged under TANESCO.

T

he merger was completed in 1968, and as the Government of

energy companies, but in the case of TANESCO, they become

Tanzania already owned shares in both individual enterprises,

utterly unavoidable, as there are three essential core functions

it naturally took up position as the sole shareholder of the

being managed: generation, transmission and distribution.

newly evolved TANESCO. Taking the better known of the two

The generation of power at TANESCO is managed via hydro and

company names, the new entity embraced TANESCO’s existing

thermal technologies. Power is created at a number of National Grid

reputation, the familiar name offering reassurance to its customers

and off-grid stations, as well as independent producers that feed in

moving forwards.

to the pool. This network of energy production is critical in order

What followed was years of diversification, development and

to supply the transmission arm of TANESCO, which in turn supplies

service improvements, and while the directives carried out by the

residential and commercial customers. With 50 substations up and

team at TANESCO are far too numerous to name individually, it is

running, connected by 5817km of transmission lines, you might

worth noting that the views of the public have never been ignored.

think that the transmission elements are fully catered for already,

As a Government-owned operation, the company has a duty of

but expansion is on-going for this part of the organisation to ensure

care to the residents in the region. Therefore, when an issue with

that nobody goes without power. As residential areas expand, the

the services was highlighted, action was immediately taken:

demand for power will as well, so the need to develop the supply

“In 1999, the Government decided to unbundle and privatise

is constant.

TANESCO to promote efficiency, private sector participation and

The final sub-section of TANESCO is arguably the most

the introduction of competition in the electricity market. In 2002,

important, which the team absolutely acknowledges: “The

private consultancy Net Group Solutions of South Africa was given

marketing business unit stands at the customer end of the

a management services contract to run TANESCO. However,

electricity supply chain and is therefore TANESCO’s major interface

in 2006, the Tanzanian Government decided not to renew the

with customers. It deals with distribution of electricity, promotion

contract because of poor performance. Tanzania was dissatisfied

of services and all customer service matters. The unit is headed by a

with the quality of management provided by Net Group Solutions

General Manager who is assisted by two senior managers; a senior

and added that the Government was obliged to listen to the views

manager for marketing and customer service on the one hand, and

of the public following complaints about the quality of service

a senior manager for distribution on the other.”

being offered by TANESCO.” Of course, service expectations are critical when discussing 64 | Endeavour Magazine

Whilst offering the best in customer service is clearly a huge priority, it is interesting to note how the split between residential

LEBANON

KOWEIT

SAUDI ARABYA

CAP VERDE

CHAD

SENEGAL BURKINA FASO SIERRA LEONE

DJIBOUTI ETHIOPIA

TOGO CAMEROON CONGO

UGANDA

KENYA

RWANDA TANZANIA

MADAGASCAR

Implementation of : 3,650 connections, 695 km of MV/LV lines, 185 MV/ LV substations & 10,000 prepayment meters.

Implementation of : 337 km of MV/LV lines & 41 MV/ LV substations.

Supervision of construction works of 110 kV line & associated substation.

Supervision of construction works of a 60 MW diesel Power Plant & a 66/90 kV network.

Repair of the 90 kV HV line connecting N’Djamena & Gassi substations.

TANESCO and industrial clients looks. You might think that the majority of

a number of tenders are currently being considered, which means

TANESCO’s revenue would come from domestic supply, but in

more transmission lines, extra sub-stations and improved service.

actual fact, it is Large Power Users (LPUs) that are bringing in the

In addition, some greener initiatives are also going to gain focussed

lion share: “It is estimated that over 80% of all the revenue is earned

attention - in particular, the use of environmentally friendly poles

from only 1,700 Large Power Users (LPUs) who form 0.24% of all

for their power lines in place of trees.

customers countrywide. LPUs are those customers that consume over 7,500kWh per month.”

Claiming to “light up your life” is a bold statement, but TANESCO is more than up to the challenge. A heady combination

When you understand this, it becomes even more impressive

of innovative leadership, a quality product, reliable distribution

that the management team, lead by the visionary Dr. Tito Mwinuka,

and dedicated customer satisfaction professionals all means that

seeks to maintain a focus on the satisfaction of every consumer,

Tanzania can rest easy. Whenever a switch is flicked, there will be

and not just those large users that generate the most profit.

power behind it, and in the unlikely event that there isn’t, there’s a

Then again, we are discussing a government-owned company

dedicated professional at the end of the phone or an email waiting

that runs in accordance with a mission to “generate, transmit

to help. If that’s not enough of a reason to understand the buzz

and supply electricity in the most effective, competitive and

surrounding TANESCO, then we don’t know what is.

sustainable manner possible”. More than that, TANESCO seeks to, “be an efficient and commercially focused utility supporting the development of Tanzania”.

So, how will TANESCO move into 2018? The short answer is efficiently and with a good dose of energy, but looking at things in more detail, with a number of potential developments and expansions. Taking a look at the procurement list alone shows that

66 | Endeavour Magazine

ASSOCIATION OF CITIZEN CONTRACTORS TANZANIA (ACCT) WWW.ACCT.CO.TZ // 00255 762 074 441

SPECIALISTS IN SAFEGUARDING Evolving any region in the world takes infrastructure development and talented construction professionals, but who’s watching over these groups? In the case of Tanzania, it’s the Association of Citizen Contractors; Endeavour Magazine decided to look at the association a little closer, to see how they are supporting their country’s industry.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

ASSOCIATION OF CITIZEN CONTRACTORS TANZANIA (ACCT)

It can be difficult to determine exactly what certain

associations do or who they have been set up to protect, but in the case of the Association of Citizen Contractors Tanzania (ACCT), the directives are exceptionally clear. Founded in February 2011, ACCT has come into being both to safeguard Tanzanian contractors and encourage exemplar professionalism from them as well.

W

hen you think about the complexities of modern

Ride Investment Co.Ltd Building & Civil Engineering Contractors & General Supplies

infrastructure

and

construction,

it

is

fantastically

reassuring to know that respected associations are put

in place to oversee the levels of dedication and professionalism required. ACCT is very vocal in terms of what it hopes to achieve in this regard: “ACCT aims to be the leading construction industry representative body in Tanzania and east Africa. We want to promote the image of local contractors by enabling members to deliver a professional construction service and create a fair environment that is conducive to the profitable and efficient operation of contracting business, to the benefit of both members and their clients.”

We know that trade associations tend to protect the interests of members only, but here, there is a genuine sense of stewardship towards clients as well as contractors. This responsibility is inspired by the associations’ core values, which run themes of trust, integrity, respect and quality workmanship through ACCT’s very core.

Knowing what the association aims to do leads us to ask who can actually join. ACCT reveals that there are two different types of membership available: “There are two types of membership namely;

P.O.Box 866, Iringa, P.O.Box 15931 Dar es Salaam-Tanzania, Mob: 0753 430028 / 0784 442 292 / 0653 207755 Email: ride_incltd@yahoo.co_uk 70 | Endeavour Magazine

ordinary members and affiliate members. Ordinary members are all local contractors registered with the Contractor’s Registration Board (CRB). All categories and classes are eligible.

Affiliate members are those who are construction materials and

ASSOCIATION OF CITIZEN CONTRACTORS TANZANIA (ACCT) equipment suppliers, construction materials manufacturers and

country to address current challenges facing contractors and have

financial institutions, i.e. banks and insurance companies.”

a round table dialogue with relevant Government bodies to discuss

Basically, if you are even remotely connected to the construction

how to solve them.”

industry, there is a membership waiting for you and if you choose

ACCT’s goals support the belief that communication, education

to join. This blanket approach is vital for creating a universally

and interaction are the building blocks of a better future - all of which

agreed set of best practice rules, whilst encouraging everyone to

is also supported by their long-term goals: “Our long-term goals are

take responsibility for his or her individual parts; each member is

to establish an association’s bank, to open a tailor-made vocational

bound by the same stringent standards and codes of practice as

training college for all construction trades, to establish commercial

everybody else.

investment to enable the sustainability of the association and to

Overseen by a diverse committee of construction industry

help citizen contractors to tender for work internationally.”

experts, ACCT has a number of realistic short-term goals in place,

Essentially, we read these goals much like a shopping list for

as well as long-term agendas that are always being worked towards.

guaranteed success, profit and satisfaction for everybody within

Each goal seems simplistic, but when you combine them all

and touched by the construction industry. There’s no downside,

together, you get an idea of exactly how the Tanzanian construction

other than the time it will take to see them through. In particular,

industry could work if everyone chipped in and committed to

it is beneficial to have round-table discussions in any industry,

doing their part. The name of the game is transparency, pride and

as communication and the sharing of ideas lead to the natural

accountability, both in the short and long-term;

evolution of bigger and better solutions. However, joining ACCT

“Our short-term goals are to prepare and organise tailored

also has a number of other fantastic benefits. For example, “When

training for members, to develop links with suppliers and

you become a member of ACCT you will easily access tender

manufacturers of construction materials and equipment, and to

information, industry intelligence, mediation services, contract

connect with other contractors’ associations within and outside the

downloads, cost reductions and credibility.”

72 | Endeavour Magazine

There are many more upsides to becoming an ACCT member, but these are some of the most important. It goes without saying that having a one-stop resource would be exceptionally useful in any industry, but given how fluid and ever-changing construction is, having that portal that allows you to download legislation and

Corporate and Commercial, Banking and Finance, Real Estate and Investment, Labour, Employment and Commercial, Tax and General Civil Litigations

even contract templates is immeasurably handy. It’s also true that companies naturally enjoy a higher profile and greater sense of credibility once a professional association membership has been granted. Project support is also offered in the sense of supplier discounts being leveraged. This is an invaluable helping hand for any fledgling or established construction professional, as is the ability to apply for working capital from banking institutions with the full support of a recognised trade association.

With a constant need for new and improved infrastructure, affordable housing and commercial properties, Tanzania is not going to let up in terms of construction demands. Therefore, it is vital that there is a governing body of sorts, or at least a watchful eye that makes sure everyone is doing their bit to maintain the good name and reputation of the industry. ACCT is that watchful eye and it has seriously ambitious plans to help every one of its members. We can’t wait to see their plans come to fruition.

Fadhili Nathan Lwendo MANAGING PARTNER / ADVOCATE

Khalifa Kiango PARTNER / ADVOCATE

P.O.Box 80223, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Tel: (+255) 758833340 E-mail: info@zenithattorneys.com Website: www.zenithattorneys.com

Endeavour Magazine | 73

INDOGUNA SINGAPORE WWW.INDOGUNA.COM // 65 6755 0330

QUALITY TASTE For Helene Raudaschl, Managing Director of Singapore’s Indoguna, food is a passion. It is her hobby as well as her business; combining this genuine enthusiasm with a savvy business sense, she has seen the company grow in variety whilst always maintaining impeccable standards that only other foodlovers would hold their products to. The company is dedicated to their products - a dedication that fellow gourmands can trust.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

INDOGUNA SINGAPORE

“We import, evaluate the product, and then we

distribute and market it. We’re based in Singapore, and we don’t have any natural resources in this country,” explains Helene Raudaschl, Indoguna’s Managing Director. “Everything has to be imported.”

W

ith this sort of challenge before them, Indoguna had a stack

operations in the meat market, to become the wide-reaching

of challenges ahead of them, but with them, a ripe market

provider they are today? In part, it was their confidence in their

with a serious demand, and gap where that demand was

abilities, and the ambition to secure themselves an ever-bigger

not being filled. “When we started in 1993, our concentration and

position in the industry. However, it was also a gutsy and timely

focus was in high quality meats – particularly chill and fresh. The

response to a period of crisis. “We ran into some problems with

marketplace at that time was all frozen and was very commodity

diseases during the European mad cow crisis, and suddenly the

driven. There was a need at that time for hotels and restaurants

government shut down a lot of importation products.” With a

who wanted fresh, smaller quantity, high quality products.”

portion of their imports barred, and anxiety spreading regarding

Rising to this need, Indoguna began importing fresh meats,

red meat, Indoguna took a risk and expanded their line to stave

soon gathering a loyal pipeline of restaurants, hotels and other

off a loss of business. “It was seafood first. We identified seafood

kitchens that came to rely on their fresh, top standard imports. For

in chill, in frozen and in live format. Once again, we sourced those

the first five years, the company stuck purely to the meat business,

products from everywhere, supplying our clients who were buying

but over their 25 years they have diversified into many categories,

our meat items, to explore with them the possibility of supplying

including seafood, dairy and bakery products. Now, they are a go-

them seafood.”

to for clients searching for that mark of originality and excellence

Diversifying was not without its challenges. Despite the need

in their menus. “Basically, we could supply 80% of a menu in most

for meat alternatives in the market, convincing customers to

restaurants.” Whilst their focus is not in canned goods or base

explore a new product can take time, and the logistical sides of the

vegetables products, Indoguna is committed to provide all of the

product were occasionally more complex than meat – particularly

harder-to-source elements that make a meal distinctive. “In general,

the live seafood! “When we started the live seafood, we didn’t

we aim to almost become a one-stop shop for most clients, and to

have a strong customer base for the product yet, and it’s highly

also provide the center of the plate. So, the variety is very extensive

perishable. Once we found a constant stream of customers, we

We bring in products from around the world.”

were able to stabalise mortality, write-offs and that kind of thing.”

What prompted this expansion from the company’s specialist 76 | Endeavour Magazine

It wasn’t a simple product to take on under any circumstances,

Carne Meats by Indoguna

With our many years of experience, comes understanding of the challenges that our customers face in meeting the constantly changing tastes of end consumers.

That’s why Thomas Foods offers such a broad product range. One that’s diverse enough to satisfy the needs of customers around the world – yet flexible enough to adapt to change.

And as we drive new product development, our commitment to quality assurance, food safety and deliverability will not waiver.

Level 2, 170 Fullarton Road, Dulwich SA 5065, T: +61 8 8165 5100 thomasfoods.com Endeavour Magazine | 77

INDOGUNA SINGAPORE but especially not when the company did not yet have an existing

it’s the restaurants that get the recognition – the guys who deliver

seafood pipeline. However, Helene feels the gamble is what set

the things in the back door don’t really get recognized.” However,

them apart, and set a president for Indoguna’s operations in the

someone has clearly taken notice – earlier this year, Indoguna were

years to come. “I think one of the things that made us a success

awarded The Hall of Fame for Gourmet Distributor of the Year in

was that we dare to go into areas that are risky. At that time,

World Gourmet Summit: Award of Excellence 2017. That mouthful

most people in Singapore were gearing for frozen, because there’s

is one of an impressive lineup of awards, including Helene being

less risk. It was the ‘90s, so live seafood was not very common in

surprised by receiving the EY Entrepreneurs of the Year award

Singapore. We were probably the first ones to bring in live oysters,

2016. “These awards show that we’re recognized as a serious

live muscles and those kinds of products.”

business. In terms of motivation and moral, it’s a significant thing

25 years into business, Indoguna’s pipelines are secure, with long-

for our team.”

standing relationships and a reputation for excellence. However,

Around 65% of Indoguna’s business is in restaurants and

given the nature of the stock they deal in, business is never without

hotels, but it doesn’t stop there. 12% of their business goes into

its complications. “In every category we started, there were always challenges – even today, we still have challenging moments. We’ve had weather changes, short supply; we’re dealing with natural things, so sometimes we don’t have catches, or a harvest might not be as good.” Despite these variables, it is essential that Indoguna deliver consistency to their clients. “In our business, quality has to be the first consideration of any product that we bring in. It’s highly competitive in the restaurants, and our customers need to know that the raw materials they’re getting have consistency, so they provide the same consistency to their own customers.”

This competition between restaurants naturally creates competition in Indoguna’s part of the market. “There’s no doubt about it. However, it’s a small market too, so we co-exist in a friendly manner.” Whilst competing companies are amicable, however, consumer trends can be unforgiving. “It’s a very sophisticated market, and it is getting increasingly difficult to stay fresh, so that customers don’t get bored with your product line. We constantly have to work double hard to find products and concepts that will excite the menus.”

This calls for non-stop innovation, and isn’t something Indoguna was going to leave to fate. Instead, they took matters into their own hands, investing in their own manufacturing facility from which they enhance their goods and develop a range of in-house brands. These include Carne Meats, their butchery and charcuterie range; Ocean Gems, their seafood range; and Masterpiece, their range of dim sum and ready to use products for meal preparation.

“It is a lot of butchery products, value-added meat, poultry, seafood

‘’We are delighted to enter in this second year of partnership with Indoguna Pte Ltd Singapore, which is aiming at creating even more closeness with all our consumers, and reinforce the premium position of Evian and Badoit in Singapore.’’

Olivier Verdelet, Zone Director of Asia Pacific for Evian Volvic International

products, and we produce a whole range of chocolatery products, high-end sausages, air-dried items – I mean, we’re constantly continuing to innovate the product lines and what we are sourcing.

What was doing well five years ago might not be doing well today because trends change.”

Despite the work in sourcing, quality checking and even putting their own unique stamp on their products, the behind-the-scenes nature of Indoguna’s work means their innovation and hard work can often go unnoticed. “More often than not in our business, we’re very much behind the scene. It’s the chefs that get the recognition, 78 | Endeavour Magazine

“It’s such an honour to have Evian and Badoit be part of the Indoguna Singapore family. We are now capable of being a one- stop shop for all F&B food & water needs.”

Helene Raudaschl, Managing Director of Indoguna Singapore

“The perfect duo to complement your Fine Dining experiences” Official Waters Partner of the 2018 MICHELIN Guide Singapore Partner zone

PREMIUM PARTNER

INDOGUNA SINGAPORE supplying supermarkets, and the remaining 23% is split between

households. I think the first improvement will be logistics – how

airline caterers, clubs, traders, wholesalers and independent

we can shorten the timeframe of delivery for customer experience.

households. As well as this blend of commercial and domestic

Currently, 95% of our logistics is from in-house, and then 5% of our

consumers, despite their belief that nothing but the best is good

requirements are sourced from outside.”

enough, the company successfully caters to a full range of budgets.

Pushing the home front is just one of Indoguna’s many

“I wouldn’t say we operate only in the luxury market. We offer the

development plans. They are currently looking at Just Meat, a store

best value for money in terms of products across all classes. So, for

front butcher’s shop that the company owns in Hong Kong, with a

example, if we have a product for the economy class market, we

view to turning the one-off store into a Hong Kong based chain.

pride ourselves on providing the best products for that economy

They are also turning their attention to potential customer groups

class sector.”

that they have previously been unable to provide for. “The company

The domestic household market is currently a small portion

is definitely planning on growing. For example, we’re looking at

of Indoguna’s business, but as we have seen, the company

doing Halaal business. I can’t share too much, because it’s still

are always pushing themselves and reaching out to the next

on our drawing board, but we’re definitely looking to the Muslim

frontier.

market in Singapore, and into new facilities to cater to them.”

Household market. Greengrocer is an online delivery

for households, run by ourselves. Currently under development

With Helene’s passion never faltering, the avenues ahead

as part of a push to grow their household market. They access

are sure to be just some of the innovations we can expect from

this customer base through Greengrocer.com.sg, an online order

Indoguna in the coming years. Unwilling to release their hold in a

delivery service that the company owns and runs. In a bid to expand

competitive market, they know that they must move ever forwards

this side of the business, they are currently investing in developing

to keep up with the tide of trend and demand. With the whole

this online service. “We’re expanding our lines and services, and

world to import from and only their ingenuity as a limit, our mouths

developing our digital platform to make delivery much easier to the

are watering at the possibilities.

The Indoguna Team

80 | Endeavour Magazine

Ocean Gems by Indoguna

AMAZING WORLD HATSUGAMA

BY JAMES LAPPING

W

ithout a doubt, tea is one of the

together. This ritual of preparing and then

In particular, the tradition has become

most consumed drinks on the

serving tea has become known as chado or

a treasured and revered part of Japan’s

planet. Whether you like it hot

sado, which translates to ‘the way of the tea’.

New Year ceremonies. New Year is a time

or cold, with milk or without, drink it for

The Japanese Tea Ceremony, like its

of firsts for the Japanese, with great value

pleasure or medicinal purposes, it certainly

origins in China, is strongly influenced

placed on January 1st’s first sunrise, the first

plays a major role in many cultures. For those

by the Buddhist tradition, and like other

moment of laughter, the first temple visit,

of us bracing against a chill winter, it is a

rituals, it has a strong focus on aesthetics

and importance read into the first dream.

comforting brew to huddle over. Of course,

and gestural movements. It is practised as a

Naturally, then, the first tea ceremony is

whilst a global treat, tea originates from East

spiritual process, intended to bring harmony

even more eventful than it is the rest of

Asia, and the majority of tea production still

to the attendees. This then became a highly

the year. This special ceremony is called

takes place in this region. So, it is no surprise

formal social practice, which hosts would

Hatsugama, and is traditionally celebrated

that Asian culture is steeped in tea, including

study the art of the years before they were

between tea masters and their students. In

the famous ritualized practice of the tea

able to perform the ceremony. Geishas, in

fact, it is the only time when the master will

ceremony.

particular, would be trained from childhood

serve their student, a reversal on the usual

Historically, the first documentation of

to perform the ceremony with ethereal

status. Hatsugama is also unique due to

tea being consumed in Asia dates to the 4th

levels of grace, and would host them for the

its festive mood, its especially fine cuisine,

Century in China. It was widely taken for its

country’s highest society.

and the display of curved braided willow

medicinal properties, and so too drunk for

These ceremonies were originally only

branches that are hung in the alcoves of the

the sheer enjoyment. The beverage was

practised and enjoyed by Japan’s elite, due

venue. It is also used as a time to reflect and

introduced to Japan in the 9th Century, and

to the status symbol that was held in the

meet each other in a large gathering.

the beginnings of what we know today as

consumption of the finest grades of tea, as

The host of a tea ceremony performs a

the Japanese Tea Ceremony formed towards

well as the wealth and grace displayed in the

choreographed set of movements at every

the end of the 12th Century, when the

ceremony’s pomp. However, tea drinking,

stage, bringing a visual beauty and serenity

Buddhist Monk Eisai began performing the

along with the ritual, became accessible to

to the experience. In the case of geishas,

tea preparation known as tencha: powdered

wider Japanese society in the 16th Century,

the graceful movements of the hands were

green tea called matcha is added to a bowl,

and is still often consumed and performed

designed to be both aesthetic and subtly

followed by hot water, and then whipped

to this day.

erotic, with small suggestions at their wrist’s

82 | Endeavour Magazine

garden to a stone basin where they wash their hands and rinse out their mouths. The guests then proceed to the tea house; once they have arrived, they bow to the host, kneeling before each other on a cushion.

With aesthetic grace and beauty, the host cleans the chadogu utensils, boils pure water in the pot, and add the powdered matcha to a serving bowl. Once the water has boiled, it is ladled into the chawan with the chashaku and whisked thoroughly together using the chasen. The tea is then offered to the guest, who rotates the chawan to avoid drinking from its decorated front side. After sipping, the bowl is wiped and passed along to the next attendee, until it is completely emptied.

The ceremony comes to a close with the consumption of special sweets known as wagashi. The chadogu are then cleared up by the host with great care, and the ceremony is ended. At its most formal, the ceremony can last up to four hours.

If you want to experience a Japanese Tea Ceremony and are lucky enough to be in Japan, then there are various venues and tea houses that welcome the public to share the experience. Alternatively, there are many fine examples recorded and available to watch online, which are wonderful spectacles to observe. Matcha tea is also widely available at high-street coffee and tea outlets if you want to give it a taste.

When prepared properly, it also holds major health benefits - ten times more than those found in normal bags of green tea. These delicacy and the slight exposure of their

integral to the performance of the ceremony,

include antioxidants, the ability to boost

skin. Whoever performs the ceremony, a

and to keep each tea ceremony unique, the

your metabolism and a calming effect on the

specific set of utensils are required, known

same combination of objects is never used

body. Perhaps this is one of the reasons it

as chadogu. These consist of a chakin - a

more than once.

became the tea of choice in the ceremony?

hemp cloth that is used to clean the tea

The ceremony varies from season to

The Japanese Tea Ceremony reminds us

bowls; a natsume - the receptacle that holds

season, and dependent on the formality

to take a step back from the chaotic lives

the brewing tea; a chashaku - a bamboo

of the occasion. Technically, they can be

we live in the 21st Century. Use the time

scoop used to transfer the tea from bowl to

practised at any venue, but traditionally they

to relax and truly appreciate one the simple

bowl; a chasen - made from a single piece

are performed at Japan’s iconic tea houses.

pleasures in life - tea. The next time you make

of bamboo, this is a unique whisk used

The host will begin preparing the ceremony

yourself or someone else a cuppa, savour

specifically to combine the powdered tea

at day break, with plenty of time to spare.

the ritual and the harmony of preparing it,

and water; and a chawan - a bowl used to

Once the guests have arrived, they are

the taste of the gift of tea given to us from

consume the brewed tea. These items are all

treated courteously and led through the tea

the earth, and equally, the social aspect, too.

Endeavour Magazine | 83

NATIONAL PETROLEUM MARKETING COMPANY WWW.NP.CO.TT // 001 868 625 1364

FUEL FOR THOUGHT Determined to continually improve the petroleum industry, the Trinidad and Tobago National Petroleum Marketing Company is proud to be the most diverse industry set-up in the Caribbean, and is instigating standards that competitors continually struggle to meet.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

NATIONAL PETROLEUM MARKETING COMPANY

Incorporated back in 1972, the Trinidad and Tobago

National Petroleum Marketing Company (NP) was formed by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, which is also the sole owner. Created using assets bought from what was BP Caribbean Ltd, the incorporation was the beginning of a programme of serious investment and development, and after buying 50% of the inland assets of ESSO and enveloping them into NP in 1973, growth really started to happen.

“I

n 1976, NP became the sole distributor of petroleum fuels

in the knowledge that no standards were being negated in the

in T&T, having acquired the marketing assets of Trinidad

pursuit of commercial success. This leads us neatly onto exactly

and Tobago Oil Company (formerly Shell Trinidad Ltd) and

what NP offers consumers, on a day-to-day basis. Before we look

the following year the local marketing assets of Texaco Trinidad

at the array of products on offer from NP, we need to reiterate

Ltd.”

the fact that it is the most diversified petroleum company within

Can anyone say monopoly? If this was simply a commercial

the English-speaking Caribbean, as it is such a key USP. After all,

operation seeking to swallow up all the interests in the Caribbean,

any company with enough investment could look to sell petroleum

you’d be forgiven for calling out uncompetitive practices, but

fuels, but it takes a deeper level of industry expertise to expand

knowing that the Government owns NP means something

into other arenas:

else altogether. Having a directive to always do more for the

“NP markets petroleum fuels, lubricating oils and greases,

consumers, NP cites that “by land, sea and air, our passion is to get

liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas and automotive

better every day in every way.” NP was and is snapping up as many

specialty products. NP possesses the largest service station

assets as possible, but in a display of respect for the brands being

network in Trinidad and Tobago. From our blending plants come

incorporated, blanket marketing hasn’t been adopted. Instead,

lubricating oils, greases, brake fluid and radiator coolants. We also

under licence, NP continued to produce a range of lubricants after

deliver marine bunkering and aviation re-fuelling at our facilities in

acquiring Shell Trinidad Ltd, right up to the point where the National

both Trinidad and Tobago and in Dominica.”

Petroleum Brand of lubricants was launched in 1981.

NP really is a one-stop consumer satisfaction shop. Not only are

The question is, how have all of these asset acquisitions

the products developed and created to a staggering standard, there

impacted on the range of products available to consumers? “NP

is also an extensive distribution network in place, ready to fulfill the

continues to improve its product rating, keeping abreast of every

needs of local people and businesses. This ties in beautifully with

significant technological advancement in the lubricants industry.

the company mission and vision statements:

Today, thanks to our rigorous pursuit of quality standards such as

“Our mission is to provide a safe and reliable supply of quality

the service classification of American Petroleum Institute (API), the

petroleum products to customers in domestic and regional markets.

Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean markets are among the most

Our vision is to be the preferred petroleum marketing company,

advanced regions of the world.”

leading in customer service, innovation, efficiency and profitability;

So, monopoly of the market was never the driving force; it was a case of learning, improving and being able to diversify, safe 86 | Endeavour Magazine

emerging from domestic leader to competitive regional player.”

Note the continual lack of global aspirations here. This is a

NATIONAL PETROLEUM MARKETING COMPANY local operation, run with the region, residents and quality in mind.

Programme, the goal of which is to provide an avenue where the

Yes, if an opportunity to diversify into more international interests

youth in the Port of Spain area could focus on music literacy and

presented itself, NP would be ready and able to rise to the challenge,

personal development. We have been able to achieve these goals

but there is no sense that the team is looking past the people that

through the introduction of Level 1 music exams and formal life

have made the company what it is today. It feels like a very natural

skills training by an external facilitator for these students.”

and symbiotic arrangement; people need petroleum products, NP

Investing in the community is a great way to ensure continued

provides them, and everyone enjoys the relationship - but there’s

economic stability for the whole region, and given the fact that the

more to NP than simple supply and demand.

future looks exciting for NP, it’s a savvy move.

Even the most simplistic of operations can identify what

With solid industry expertise and product understanding

consumers want and need, but it takes a more innovative company

forming the foundation of the whole company, coupled with

to look for ways to meet commercial demand, whilst never

the extensive distribution channels in place, NP will certainly

compromising on the original core values. After all, trust, integrity

never be forced to search for profitable opportunities. Yes, new

and passion will never go out of style and can be the values that set

developments will always be investigated and assessed in terms

companies apart, making the difference between a disappointment

of commercial viability, but never to the detriment of the core

or a successful tender. Something else that certainly helps NP

activities that have helped to raise NP to the industry-leading

to stand out from competitors is the commitment to social

position that it now enjoys.

responsibility:

The Caribbean will always need fuel and petroleum products,

“Over the years, NP has had an on-going commitment to the

and NP will be ready and waiting to serve, having done so for over

development of the people and culture of this country. However,

40 years already. We think we’ll keep a watchful eye on NP, as we

among the many endeavours in which the company has been

have the feeling that some new innovations are just around the

involved, we are particularly proud of the NP Music Literacy

corner.

88 | Endeavour Magazine

RENKERT OIL, LLC has partnered with

NPMC for many years and is proud to be associated with their highperforming organization. Renkert provides the base oils that are components of every quality lubricant NPMC manufactures.

The relationship has been a highlight for Renkert employees, customers and suppliers, and they congratulate NPMC on many years of success.

TOUGH QUESTIONS, SPECIAL APPLICATIONS, TIGHT DEADLINES? CALL RENKERT OIL. Count on our expert consulting, creative solutions and quality oils offered at competitive prices. Plus, our multiple terminals translate to quick delivery of your order.

Our premium products ✓ Base oils ✓ Process oils ✓ White oils ✓ Transformer oils

Contact us today for an expert assessment of your oil application.

1 (800) 423-6457 www.RenkertOil.com

Authorized Base Oil distributor for Neste Oil Group III

Authorized Base Oil distributor for Chevron Group II/II+

Endeavour Magazine | 89

GUYANA GOLDFIELDS WWW.GUYGOLD.COM // 001 416 628 5936

SETTING THE GOLD STANDARD The Republic of Guyana, a South American nation based on the northern coast of the continent, is not, for want of a better term, a household name. Then again, nor are many of the world’s best kept secrets.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

GUYANA GOLDFIELDS

A former British colony for a little over two centuries,

until it achieved independence in 1966, Guyana’s landscape and spectacular bio-diversity showcase the beauty of nature at its finest and most unspoiled. The peaks and plateaus of the Guiana Shield thrust out into the sky above a canopy of lush rainforest that blankets the land around it, and where this greenery doesn’t flourish, the country instead boasts otherworldly beaches and sweeping savannahs.

G

uyana’s natural gifts have provided the foundations upon which a thriving eco-tourism sector is emerging, but as the miners who have entered the country in recent years have

found to their delight, Guyana’s natural gifts are as bountiful below ground as they are above.

Guyana Goldfields, one of Canada’s most promising upand-coming junior miners, has discovered first-hand just how extraordinarily mineral-rich the Guiana Shield region is – an area stretching across tracts of territory in Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, and Brazil. It is here that the company’s flagship project, the Aurora Gold Mine, is based, and make no mistake about it – Guyana Goldfields have struck gold.

“We announced commercial production in January 2016, and it represented our first full year of production with just over 151koz of gold. It’s been a great accomplishment and we’re pleased with the progress we’ve made thus far,” said Scott Caldwell, Guyana Goldfield’s President and CEO. He continued: “We also started 2017 off strong by producing just over 40koz in Q1’17 while maintaining an excellent health, safety and environmental track record, with over 3,000,000 hours accumulated without a lost time incident.”

Such considerable output from what is a truly world-class gold asset signals Guyana’s return to the top table of global gold mining.

With estimated reserves in excess of 3.2 million ounces to be mined over an initial 15-year lifespan, Aurora presently yields in the region of 150,000 ounces of gold per year on average. However, these

92 | Endeavour Magazine

GUYANA GOLDFIELDS figures, impressive as they might be, don’t tell the full story for one

Guyana Goldfields team have the means and resources to achieve

simple reason: they are conservative in nature, and don’t take into

this. However, what is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and

consideration vast, as of yet untapped ore reserves onsite, nor an

reassuring attributes of the company is that there is a commitment

expansion of Aurora’s processing facilities that upon completion

to getting to the top the right way, and to becoming one of the

will greatly increase production capacity.

sector’s premiere mining companies without compromising the

“We have ore reserves of 3.2 million ounces of gold, all very

environmental integrity of Guyana in any way. Once upon a time, the

high-grade at approximately three grams. Then there’s additional

gold mining sector had a poor reputation that, due to incompetence

resources that could potentially ramp up reserves to around 8

and malpractice, was well-deserved in many instances. Times have

million ounces – we have a further 5 million ounces where we

changed, however, and such negligence on the part of the mining

need to do more drilling and technical work to expand accessible

sector is for the most part now an unpleasant chapter in history,

ore reserves. Right now, we have a 15-year mine life, although in

but understandably a distrust of the sector lingers, especially in the

reality its lifetime could last a lot longer than that. We’re expanding

minds of the Guyanese who remember the Omai disaster in 1995.

the plant at a phenomenal rate from around 150-160,000 ounces

With this in mind, Guyana Goldfields has set-out to make itself a

to about 220,000+ ounces per year – we’ve just started that

valuable and conscientious component of the Guyanese economy

expansion, which will be a $42 million project and completed by

that not only contributes wealth to the country’s national coffers,

early 2018.”

but also invests in sustainable objectives that increase the quality

Constructed on time and on budget at a cost of US$250 million,

of living for the Guyanese people as a whole.

Aurora Gold Mine’s credentials place it firmly in the world-class

In every fibre and sinew of the company can be found an

category and signal Guyana’s return to the top table of big-ticket

overarching commitment to going about mining operations in a

gold producers. However, as Caldwell mentioned, what is most

socially and environmentally responsible manner, as Scott was

exciting to Guyana Goldfields and their investors is that this already

keen to iterate: “Our focus and efforts on CSR and sustainability is

top-tier asset hasn’t yet come close to realising its potential.

Indeed, realising this potential is the company’s foremost goal, and Guyana Goldfields is set to commit to a $6-8 million per annum spend on exploration and drill work which will not only incorporate brownfield work on the Aurora site but true grassroots greenfield exploration amongst other targets within their vast portfolio of assets in Guyana. Such a considerable outlay, along with the $42 million that has been set aside for the mill expansion, is a statement of intent on the part of Guyana Goldfields.

Technically speaking, Guyana Goldfields is, for all its strengths, a junior miner, but Scott and the rest of the team have far greater aspirations. And critically, the means are there to achieve organic growth through the drill-bit, mill expansion, and exploration, which will in-turn deliver a sufficient enough production increase to see Guyana Goldfields rise to the next level.

On this, Scott told us: “We believe, or at least hope that we’re going to find another deposit that will require us to build a new, second mill, and the goal is to organically grow from 220,000 ounces to maybe 300-400,000 ounces. But we’ve got to get drilling, then we’ll know if we’re going to be truly successful. There’s a lot of targets, we know there’s a lot of gold in the region, the question is can we find it and put it into production? If we do and we continue achieving organic growth, we can go to the next level and become the next mid-tier producer.”

In terms of capability and expertise, there is little doubt that the

94 | Endeavour Magazine

engrained. The company’s CSR Strategy, Community and National

got a great working relationship with the government and the

Initiatives target areas locally within our communities, and also on

local communities there. It’s a very friendly and supportive country

a national level that promote sustainable development in Guyana.

to do business. On the operations side - the mine is performing

We do a lot of work with children, in terms of investing in and

well, as is the mill and the processing plant. Our next focus is on

supporting educational efforts, and we also work with a number

the mill expansion which will bring our overall annual production

of indigenous communities on various initiatives. We invest in and

from 150koz of gold to over 200koz. Alongside that, we’re also

support schools and offer transportation to help kids get to school,

focused on organic growth through the drill bit and ramping up our

which can involve helping them travel by bus or by boat. Offering

exploration efforts to hopefully find that second mine”.

opportunity to children with a view to building a better future has been a central focus of ours.”

We also have a strategic investment in a company called Solgold PLC, a team that is based out in Brisbane, Australia. It

Through building relationships with local communities and

looks like they’ve found a huge porphyry copper-gold system in

taking great stride in operating in a conscientious manner to

Ecuador that looks very promising. Following our investment, we

eliminate any negative social or environmental impacts, Guyana

at Guyana Goldfields own about 7.2% of the company – clearly

Goldfields is winning hearts and minds. As they have shown,

as far as strategic investments go, it’s done quite well. All in all,

it is possible to marry commercial success with a socially and

everything’s looking pretty good. Things are going great at Aurora

environmentally responsible approach to doing business. Business

and our strategic investments are looking pretty good for us.”

is booming, and with gold prices continuing to rise it would be safe

Having worked with Guyana Goldfields over the years and

to say that over the short to medium-term, at least, the marketplace

having observed the company’s growth and development, it is hard

looks buoyant.

for us not to share Scott’s optimism.

When asked about what’s next for the company, Scott concluded: “We’re very happy working in the country, and we’ve

Endeavour Magazine | 95