Underground safety support manufacturer M and J Mining has concluded a strategic investment with mining veteran Kuseni Dlamini.

Dlamini has joined forces with M and J Mining to assist in developing the future of M and J Mining locally and internationally. His background in the mining industry includes having been CEO of Anglo American South Africa and director of Anglo Platinum, and his business development credentials and association with Old Mutual are widely known.

Dlamini notes: “The key area of contribution is really to take M and J Mining to the next level of growth and expansion. M and J Mining has an impeccable record for supplying safety-critical underground support products to major mining houses in South Africa for over 25 years.

“This strategic investment is part of my deep and personal commitment to safety in the mining industry and my long-term view on the future of the mining industry in South Africa and Africa at large. Being involved with M and J Mining stems from my increasing respect for the company over the last few years with regard to the outstanding work it has done throughout the mining industry.”

M and J Mining and Dlamini will develop strategies to create export potential for the company’s underground-support products, which, in turn, will create employment in South Africa and increase exports.

“I am working closely with the M and J Mining team to develop and execute an effective strategy to drive growth in the business. Safety is, and will always be, critical in the mining industry, especially in underground mining. It has to be the number one priority if South Africa is to be a world-class and globally competitive destination for mining investment.

“Wherever there is underground mining, M and J has an opportunity to expand its business and we want to penetrate that underground mining footprint in South Africa and in Africa.

“Our penetration will be driven by [the need to] ensure that we are available to partner with new and existing mines to provide them with protection and safety- critical solutions. We believe that it is important for the mining industry to make a step change in its safety performance on a sustained basis,” says Dlamini.

The partnership between Dlamini and M and J Mining also aims to combat the high unemployment and poverty rates in South Africa and contribute to economic growth.

“M and J Mining products are manufactured in South Africa and this is a positive stepping stone. We have a world-class manufacturing plant and facilities on the West Rand, in Gauteng, and we are dedicated to employing not only South African youths but also South Africans in general as the business grows and expands.

“Through the development of the manufacturing facility, we also want to contribute to the renaissance of South Africa’s indus- trial competitiveness. South Africa has massive untapped potential to grow and expand its export footprint and create more jobs for more South Africans,” concludes Dlamini.