The demand for mining and aggregate processing technology in Africa is increasing steadily, owing to increased foreign investment and the subsequent need for secondary infrastructure.

Comminution engineering company Pilot Crushtec’s CEO, SandroScherf, tells Mining Weekly that demand for its mobile and semimobile modular crushing and screen- ing equipment in Africa has grown as a result of the rapid increase in demand for aggregate and the resulting increase in plant production capabilities.

“African targets are currently being exceeded, contributing to 90% of export sales and 40% of overall sales. There is a lot going on in Africa, especially with the infra- structure needed around mines owing to the commodities boom,” explains Scherf.

The company commissioned its largest ever Pilot Modular crushing and screening plant at Zambian limestone aggregate producer Zamm Imports late last year, when the company’s African sales manager, Wayne Warren, reported his optimism for the Zambian market. “Zambia is growing its infrastructure at an ever-increasing rate, expanding road and rail networks and constructing power stations, all of which are geared to exploit its mineral wealth,” Warren says.

Earlier this year, the company supplied five processing machines to platinum-group metals producer Zimplats’ Selous metallurgical complex, and has seen a steady growth in demand for its modular systems in other African markets, most significantly Zambia, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“In August, we received orders for one of our larger aggregate plants in Zambia, and a smaller modular plant for gold mining has just arrived in Tanzania. We have just sent off a modular primary crusher and conveyors for the gold-mining industry in Mali and various modular cone crushers and screens to the DRC to upgrade an existing copper ore plant. Both mobile and modular equipment have been moving fast,” he says.

Warren adds that demand growth in these markets can be attributed to an increase in investment from Asia, as well as the company’s strategy of high visibility in Africa.

“Chinese foreign investment has given new life to Africa and is responsible for so much secondary infrastructure building. Although there is concern that they are taking away local or regional work opportunities, my experience has shown me that it is actually increasing opportunities. Every country that is struggling in the world today is trying to find work in Africa, and that is what is creating this boom,” Warren notes.

“Owing to where we are located in South- ern Africa, and our support structures, Chinese companies are willing to purchase regionally. Further, African countries are insisting on better-quality infrastructure from Chinese investment, which results in their buying our modular and mobile equipment,” he says.

Further, financing issues have not hampered product exports and equipment installations as the majority of Pilot Crushtec’s Africa-based clients pay cash upfront, with no bank financing.

However, supplying into Africa does present challenges for the company, but its on-the-ground approach and emphasis on a quick turnaround have been successful for the company in the African market. “Getting the equipment to site is challenging because of transport and other logistical issues in Africa but, once equipment has arrived, our technicians take no longer than two weeks on site to commission the plant. It takes longer for our systems to reach a site than it does for the systems to be operationalised once they are there,” says Warren.

Locally, the company continues to service the South African mining industry but it has experienced a decline in projects relating to infrastructure development, owing to the completion of larger construction and roadworks projects initiated three to four years ago and the absence of new large-scale projects, explains Scherf.

Pilot Crushtec’s modular systems com- prise a standardised suite of compatible equipment including jaw, cone, impact and vertical shaft impact crushers, screens and conveyors that can be moved and configured for individual clients. Warren says that the highest demand in Africa has been for the company’s modular crushing and screening plants, owing to their ease of mobility and high production capacity.

In particular, the track-mounted MegaStak stockpile conveyors and Rubble Master mobile impact crushers have been well received in the market.

Pilot Crushtec will be holding its annual open day on October 13 at the company’s premises in Jet Park, which will feature the launch of new product offerings including the TwisterTrac VS300 VSI crusher, the Pilot Modular/TRIO MC 170 (66”) cone crusher, a MegaStak TC1050 tracked conveyor, and the CDE EvoWash 71 sand-washing plant.

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