Chinese engineering group Dadi Engineering Development Group has acquired a 20% stake in South African project engineering firm ProMet Engineers Africa.

This investment has enabled large-scale lump- sum turnkey capabilities of up to $300-million on the combined balance sheet of the two companies, global efficiencies and combined project engineering and management systems.

The company, which has been renamed ProMet Dadi Africa, now also boasts over 2 000 project managers and professional engineers for mining projects within the African and global marketplace.

In an engineering, procurement and construction management environment, established and recognised management processes will allow the use of full engineering capabilities across disciplines for global clients. Further benefits include speed of execution, group procurement, efficient design capabilities and familiar project procedures and management techniques.

“With an increasing Chinese investment level in African-based resource projects, familiarity with a significant Chinese capability and marketplace is becoming necessary. The merger has enabled ProMet Dadi Africa to become a conduit for client access to quality, cost-efficient Chinese engineering,” says ProMet Dadi Africa MD Rob Bennett.

He adds that the company has seen projects, struggling to pass the hurdle in higher cost environments, become reinvigorated by this approach, which results in significant savings on capital as well as project execution times.

The establishment of ProMet Dadi Africa is also an important step for Dadi Engineering’s international strategy development, as it has resulted in a good foundation for the group to launch into the African and global mining and minerals industry.

Dadi Engineering has been involved in the design, engineering, commissioning and, in certain cases, the operation of over 400-million tons a year of China’s coal processing capability, with over 60 projects completed over the past eight years, accounting for in excess of 21% of the installed capacity in China.

To subscribe to Mining Weekly's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.