South Africa-based, custom- built equipment supplier Joest Kwatani has established operations in Botswana to better supply the country’s mining industry with vibrating screens and feeders.

Joest Kwatani partnered with local mechanical engineering company Lucient Engineering and Construction Services to establish the operations in Jwaneng to achieve growth in Africa, says Joest Kwatani MD Kim Schoepflin.

“We believe that, to achieve growth in Africa, you have to be firmly located in Africa. “This partnership with Lucient Engineering & Construction Services reinforces our belief that it is essential to have people on the ground that understand the region,” she says.

Joest Kwatani brings its well-proven technology encompassing its new vibrating screens and feeders, 24/7 on-site services and technical support as well as parts stockholding commensurate with the machine population, says Lucient Engineering & Construction Services CEO Lerang Selolwane.

Joest Kwatani Botswana director Theresa Walton adds that, by developing and maintaining close relationships with mines, the company will provide fit-for-purpose appropriate screening solutions that will enable the plants to improve their effective yields. She adds that this is in line with the company’s drive to provide vibrating screens and feeders that are engineered for tonnage.

“Botswana is an exciting country in which to conduct business. The country’s policies encourage investment and actively support businesses that are willing to invest and develop skills in infrastructure with local businesses in Botswana,” Schoepflin tells Mining Weekly.

She notes that the Botswana economy relies heavily on the mining sector, which contributes significantly to the country’s gross domestic product, employment and export earnings. Therefore, there is significant investment in skills development to make the mining economy an attractive employer, which, in turn, has a positive impact on the management capability of Botswana’s mining industry.

Joest Kwatani has a 40-year history in the development and building of custom-built vibrating screens, grizzlies and feeders in the South African mining industry.