With the economy of Mozambique poised for a robust recovery, specialist geotechnical contractor Esorfranki Geotechnical is well positioned to strengthen its already well established market position in that country. Then known as Franki Africa, the company’s first project in Mozambique was at the prestigious Mozal aluminium smelter on the outskirts of Maputo. The company was commissioned to conduct initial site investigations in late 1997 and early 1998 and when tenders for the foundation piling were invited, Franki Africa was awarded a contract for Phase 1. This was successfully completed two months ahead of schedule in March 1999 after installing over 10 000 driven cast in-situ Frankipiles

On the back of the success of the first phase, Franki Africa secured Phase 2 which called for the installation of over 8 000 Frankipiles and 200 large diameter auger piles supporting the silo structures. At peak the company’s on-site crew numbered 518. This contract was also completed ahead of schedule. “Even though the country was going through an economic downturn at the time of our involvement in the Mozal project, we became aware that Mozambique was ripe with opportunity,” Roy McLintock, managing director of Esorfranki Geotechnical, relates. “We took a strategic decision, based on the anticipated positive impact of the Mozal project, to establish a registered company there in July 1998 and populated it with a pilot team tasked with identifying business opportunities. These were skilled people with access to a full range of equipment to undertake any kind of local geotechnical work.

“Our predictions proved accurate and our workload steadily increased. A focus beyond Maputo resulted in a contract to install Frankipiles at a silo complex for a Tanzanian-based client for whom we had done similar work in Dar-es Salaam. We also secured foundations for various bridges in the rural areas. Another notable contract was the provision of general geotechnical work at Tongaat Huletts’ Xinavane sugar mill where we installed various pile types in both brownfields and greenfields areas of the mill.”

Esorfranki Geotechnical has also installed piling and lateral support for four embassies and numerous buildings and marine structures in Maputo. More recently, the company was involved in work relating to the infrastructure for the Moatize coalfields development for a major multinational metals and mining company. Esorfranki Geotechnical’s most recent project involved the piled foundations for rails an 800 metre long coal stacker at the load-out facility in Beira for the same company. This contract was extended to include the marine works and ship loading structure foundations as part of the upgrading of the Port of Beira Quay 8.

“Having established a presence in Beira, we’re now looking at other opportunities in and around this city,” says McLintock. “We’ve been at work in Mozambique for 15 years and our projects in various parts of the country have afforded us an exceptionally good understanding of the local culture, business environment and ground conditions, as well as the country’s customs and logistical processes. This work has also allowed our Mozambique team to establish a comprehensive geotechnical database that, coupled with in-house design capabilities, allows us to provide very competitive design solutions. “Future opportunities will centre around the Moatize coal project, port upgrades related to the export of coal and other resources, electrification, and general infrastructure upgrades.” Esorfranki Geotechnical was granted ISO 9001 accreditation for its Mozambique operation in June 2010.