Germany-based chemicals giant BASF has established a mining solutions technical centre at local mineral research and development organisation Mintek’s Randburg premises, in Gauteng, to help BASF deliver specialist services to mining customers in Africa.

The new laboratory, which was unveiled last month, will provide systems, tools, skills and resources to better support customers in the mineral processing and metal production fields.

By year-end, the centre will have established a team of specialists to support customers across the continent, with technical services for solid-liquid separation, hydrometallurgy, flotation and agglomeration.

Addressing industry stakeholders and members of the media at the official launch, BASF regional business management director of global mining solutions for Europe, Africa and the Middle East Dr Michael Gotsche said that the centre would establish links with customers across Africa to further develop opportunities in other strategically relevant markets on the continent.

He added that the centre would be fully equipped and self-sufficient, with technical experts on hand to review customer plans from start to finish and to offer advice on running their operations efficiently and cost effectively.

“This laboratory will enable BASF to have a better understanding of our customers’ needs, as we can now offer advanced technical advice and expertise in all of our strategically relevant market areas. This could only be achieved by establishing our technical centre in the heart of our customer base,” says Gotsche.

He tells Mining Weekly that the centre enables BASF to first run tests at the laboratory to enable better preparation for the introduction of certain technologies on site.

“We plan to first have the application technologies established at the centre to support our current product and technology portfolio. This will enable us to run lab tests upfront before we run customer trials,” he explains.

Gotsche adds that BASF’s presence at Mintek will enable both companies to evaluate other areas of joint cooperation to address the needs of the mining industry.

“It has become increasingly difficult for our customers to find high-quality ores and mine them sustainably. However, BASF can now offer inventive solutions for the whole value chain in mineral processing.”

Mintek CEO Abiel Mngomezulu further highlighted the role of the laboratory as an important development to help establish further cooperation between Mintek and BASF with regard to mining projects on the continent. “Combining existing competences and assets will provide much-needed innovative solutions for the mining industry,” he said.

BASF business centre MD for South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa Dr Dieter Kovar added that the establishment of the technical centre demonstrated BASF’s commitment to innovation and the company’s confidence in the economic future of South Africa and its neighbouring countries.

“It symbolises an important milestone for us in realising our Africa strategy, which involves growing a considerable market presence on the continent.”

Kovar said that the chemicals market was expected to grow faster than the global gross domestic product, particu- larly in emerging economies, which would contribute about 60% of the world’s chemical production by 2020.

“Africa is a vast continent with a wealth of raw materials and a growing population. Simultaneously, the growing economy shows enormous potential for BASF.”

Kovar believes it is the right time for BASF to establish itself in South Africa’s mining industry, despite inherent challenges clouding the sector.

“We believe in the mining industry’s long-term prospects and trust that South Africa and the mining industry will return to their original strength soon,” he said.