Tanzania-headquartered integrated logistics solutions provider Alistair Group will launch a new integrated supply service at the 2015 Investing in African Mining Indaba.

Alistair Group business development director Clementine James tells Mining Weekly that, in the first quarter of this year, it will also establish new offices and transport fleets in Kenya, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The company will have a stand at this year’s indaba, which will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, from February 9 to 12. This will be the fourth Mining Indaba in which the company will participate.

James says the new offices will help to support Alistair Group’s operations in Tanzania and Mozambique with its transport services network, which operates throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

She elaborates that the company established new long-haul transport routes in 2014, such as the South Africa to Kenya and the Tanzania to the eastern DRC routes, enabling the company to deliver project-critical cargo in record time.

“We also obtained our ISO 9001:2008 certification for quality management systems in August 2014, which demonstrates our commitment to quality control and international best practice,” says James.

She further emphasises that, as a testament to Alistair Group’s safety systems and culture, the company obtained OHSAS 18001:2007 accreditation in November 2014.

This standard assists organisations in managing and mitigating employees’ occupational health and safety risks and in improving existing health and safety management systems.

Moreover, Alistair Group became a signatory to the International Cyanide Code, in March 2014, and has, subsequently, “successfully and safely” transported cyanide in convoy for clients in the DRC, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

James believes that the quality and safety initiatives that the company has achieved over the past year demonstrate its commitment to being an Africa-based company that can meet and exceed international standards.

“We will continue to build on these certificates, as safety, health, environment and quality, or SHEQ, control is paramount to the company. Our expansion into cyanide transportation and new geographies also highlights our commitment to keep growing and offer clients the solutions they require, as we strive for continuous improvement,” she asserts.

2015 Vision

James tells Mining Weekly that Alistair Group will this year focus significantly on providing more end-to-end integrated logistics solutions for clients.
For example, she explains that, many clients require that the cargo is not only transported but also sourced, imported, cleared, warehoused, transported and delivered to their door.
“To this end, we started a purchasing depart- ment in February 2014 and invested in dedicated storage facilities in Dar es Salaam and integrated customs clearance under our own roof.”

During the first quarter of this year, Alistair Group personnel will be on site to open offices in the DRC and South Africa.

“These offices are critical to our operations, as they will ensure daily face-to-face contact with our clients,” explains James.

Alistair Group is also continually seeking to expand its asset base, having bought tens of millions of rands worth of new cranes and materials handling equipment, as well as a variety of specialised out-of-gauge transport trucks and trailers in 2014, which will all be used at its new premises.

She further notes that the mining sector in Africa is at “a critical stage”, as gold and uranium prices have dropped significantly in the past year.

“Mines are working hard to cut costs and improve their efficiency. Therefore, companies are partnering with reliable suppliers to add value to their supply chain. It is our aim to make industry work better in Africa. Alistair Group strives to provide solutions to improve operational efficiencies while maintaining high safety standards,” states James.

Mining Indaba Spotlight
James says the Mining Indaba provides the company with an opportunity to meet with clients, learn about new developments and introduce its management team to new contacts.

She tells Mining Weekly that the company does not have fixed figures that it is trying to achieve from the indaba, as it is often difficult to quantify the value of a good contact, or the potential of a future client.
“However, our overarching aim is to interface with our current clients and introduce our services to new ones, particularly end-user clients, whom we might not know personally,” James concludes.