JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The South African Shaft Sinking, Equipment and Services (Sasses) supply group, a subgroup within the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (Saceec), was officially launched at the Electra Mining Africa 2016 tradeshow in Johannesburg, this week.

Sasses aims to assist local manufacturers that supply shaft sinking, equipment and services by furthering the development of the sector’s supply chain for greater market access into the local and global mining industry.

Sasses will offer members the opportunity to participate in value-chain optimisation, identifying business opportunities, driving research and development projects and innovation within the industry.

The group will champion local suppliers by advocating for localisation through policy and implementation, building on export potential and providing a network for key stakeholders within the industry.

Saceec, together with its partners and affiliates, has been working closely with the departments of Trade and Industry and Mineral Resources and the Chamber of Mines of South Africa to establish a local supplier directory to assist with creating “critical linkages” between South African manufacturers and customers in the local and international markets.

Saceec CEO Eric Bruggeman highlighted during the Sasses launch event the importance of creating supply groups and clusters to further the interests of South African suppliers. “Each cluster faces their own specific set of challenges and the members of supply groups and clusters are best positioned to identify areas that need to be addressed.”

He further emphasised that nothing would start unless it came “from the bottom up” and pledged Saceec’s “full commitment” to supporting clusters and supply groups in any way it could.

Bruggeman announced occupational risk management specialist Expectra 2004’s Elena Diez del Corral and chute systems company Weba South Africa’s Ted Cruickshank would be the supply group’s champions.

Cruickshank explained that the main objective of the newly established Sasses was to provide the industry with a “one-stop-shop” solution for local procurement in the shaft sinking, equipment and services sector.

“The key concept is for Sasses to become a turnkey solution for industry to ensure we create an environment where customers can receive everything they require from our members,” he explained.

Corral concurred with these sentiments, adding that Sasses would also focus on supporting South African companies that manufactured their products locally. She emphasised that local manufacturing of mining equipment would play a “critical role” in supporting the South African economy and positioning the supply group for local and international greenfield projects.

The ten founding members of Sasses are Expectra 2004, Fabchem Mining, Fermel, George Stott & Company, Master Drilling South Africa, Ryonic Robotics, Vula Drilling, Weba South Africa, Motor Control and Automation and WJ Conveyances.