Materials handling equipment manu- facturer, distributor and exporter Bell Equipment says its highlights of this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba include the welcoming address by Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu and the keynote address by mining giant Anglo American’s outgoing CEO Cynthia Carroll.

Minister Shabangu gave a clear and positive message to the industry when she said that government was no longer interested in the nationalisation of mines, while Carroll’s presen- tation was thought-provoking in the wake of the Marikana tragedy.

“She highlighted the lessons that the country and the industry need to take going forward and the importance of open and effective communication among the role-players in mining, such as government, mining companies and labour unions,” says Bell Equipment director of sales and marketing Terry Gillham.

He notes that this was the second year that the company participated in the Indaba.

“We chose to showcase our brand and our footprint in Africa by displaying our range of mining-related products, built on the continent.

He adds that the company also hosts a range of excavators and front-end loaders to provide loading tools for mining, as well as graders, rollers and stabilisers for haul road maintenance and site development.

“Our range of tracked dozers is used, not only at the tip area of mining developments, but also for mine development and rehabilitation. Additionally, our triwheeler forklifts and tractor-loader backhoes are popular at African mine sites, as they are suited to a variety of day-to-day mining tasks,” notes Gillham.

He says the company’s goals were reached at the Indaba, as it was able to network with top mining role-players and customers.

“It is non-negotiable that you attend the Indaba if you are serious about mining, particularly in Africa. More than 50% of our reve- nue comes from mining and Africa is our largest market, so it is important that we let our customers know we are committed to the African mining industry,” Gillham states.

Going forward, he notes that following the opening of a new customer service centre in Kuruman, in the Northern Cape, in November last year, the company will open an additional R50-million facility, in Middelburg, in June this year.

“Both facilities are geared towards better servicing our mining customers in these two important business regions,” Gillham says.

Further, the company is working on a 60 t truck designed specifically for the mining industry, and will launch its new E-series generation of ADTs later this year.

“The E-series range will provide improved power and weight ratios, advanced engine and drivetrain characteristics and new standards in safety, driver comfort and truck management,” he concludes.