Following the 2015 Investing in African Mining Indaba, temporary power and temperature-control solutions provider Aggreko is deciding which projects to pursue through strategic planning, while also developing plans to customise its solutions to meet these specific project requirements.

Aggreko local business head Martin Foster tells Mining Weekly that the company is always interested to hear from CEOs or managers of mining companies at the Mining Indaba, which the company attended for the sixth time in 2015.

“This year, we were mostly on the lookout for the key trends and issues that each mining project is facing, and how we can potentially provide a solution to the challenges.”

Further, Foster details that the indaba provides a great platform for the business sector to interact with governments: “I always find that, whenever a Minister [from any country] speaks, it is prudent to take on board what they say and listen carefully as their insight can influence new investment.”

He further tells Mining Weekly that, at this year’s indaba, which took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from February 9 to 12, a freestanding ice bar, demonstrating Aggreko’s temperature-control capabilities, was among the solutions the company showcased.

This ice bar became a talking point at the 2014 indaba when it made its first appearance, Foster adds.

“We always try to make our exhibition stands interesting and engaging. We also place capable personnel at the stand to ensure that everyone who visits the stand is fully informed of our business offerings by the time they leave.

“Further, we were able to establish new and positive contacts, establish new business leads and discuss the African mining process with other businesses operating in Southern Africa,” he elaborates.

Foster says the company plans to continue attending the indaba in the future, as the event provides a great platform for networking with clients and keeping abreast of ongoing and upcoming projects, thus enabling Aggreko to remain knowledgeable about potential business opportunities.

“The indaba is always very well attended, so we are assured that we are among other thought leaders and enthusiastic experts who are also looking to improve the industry for the future,” he elaborates.