The French Trade Commission-Business France is returning to Electra Mining Africa for a fifth consecutive time, confirming the country’s sustained success and interest in the South African mining industry.
Although South Africa has lost substantial appeal for French companies over the past four years in terms of mining investment attractiveness, recent political changes have opened up new windows of opportunity, says Business France trade development adviser Stéfane Leny.
“The market is still open to innovative and technically advanced products, such as the ones manufactured by French firms. In fact, although South Africa already has several mining equipment suppliers, we have identified opportunities in areas such as explosives, drilling equipment, ventilation equipment, earthworks equipment, electrical components and electricity generation, as well as mine surveying and Internet of Things technology. These are examples of areas where French firms possess high levels of expertise,” he states.
The French Pavilion provides a platform for companies to showcase France’s rich mining heritage and expertise to the African mining industry.
“Returns have been very positive, in the sense that our French Pavilion exhibitors have consistently been able to develop new business and find local partners over the years at Electra Mining Africa.”
Nearly a dozen French firms will be participating at this year’s French Pavilion, which is in line with the number of companies that partook in 2016.
The French Pavilion will showcase diverse expertise, with specialists in blasting solutions (Davey Bickford), personal protective equipment (Delta Plus), electrical components (Marechal Electric), real-time simulation devices (Opal-RT), drone technology (Rocketmine/Delta Drone) and lightning protection (Indelec), to name a few.