Strategic growth goals amidst industry challenges

Credit: Mining Weekly

Despite encountering various challenges – including commodity price volatility - closely linked to global economic conditions, supply chain dynamics,– metallurgy and process engineering company Multotec Botswana remains committed to pursuing strategic growth and expanding its reach in the country.

Multotec Botswana is committed to complying with relevant legislations in Botswana including the Economic Inclusion Act which came into operation in 2022. Furthermore, Multotec Botswana is fully supportive of the Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme which intends to create an enabling business environment thereby promoting citizen participation in the development of the country’s economy. To this end, we have partnered with a number of 100% citizen subcontractors in our previous contracts to ensure that they acquire necessary skills in the process. In our endeavor to support the local mining industry, we continue to collaborate with citizen companies whenever possible and this helps us ensure our clients continue to get our best service and support either directly or indirectly, reports GM James Phagane.

Phagane expressed concerns about the legislation’s impact on jobs. So what is important is partnerships and collaboration between citizen and non-citizen owned companies.

Multotec Botswana has not been spared from the impact of the suppressed global diamond sales, which has impacted cashflows for our customers’ in the diamond mining sector. However, Multotec Botswana has continued to support the clients in cost saving initiatives. Multotec Botswana services the mines across all commodities and so while the diamond market may be suppressed at the moment the copper and gold markets are buoyant and that keeps us well balanced despite the market volatilities. The global mining industry has also had to deal with financial challenges stemming from supply chain dynamics exacerbated by geopolitical factors and other related issues.

He adds that mining companies have had to navigate these challenges such as choosing to suspend or scale down operations to better manage costs or looking for alternative shipping routes. These operational challenges have downstream impact on supplies and service providers such as ourselves and so we have to consistently find innovative and cost effective ways to support our customers.

“What happens globally eventually ends up impacting us here locally as well. It has a spin-off effect,” says Phagane.

Pursuing Reliability

With its head office in Letlhakane, in the Central District of Botswana, as well as branches in Orapa and Jwaneng, Multotec Botswana is strategically located near major mining jurisdictions, enabling it to provide timely and customised solutions, and proactive maintenance services, for clients.

While the company aims to be proactive in the provision of preventative maintenance services, Phagane notes that reactive measures are sometimes necessary.

In such cases, having materials readily available locally enables mining operations to address issues swiftly and, when planned shutdowns occur, having stock nearby enables Multotec to support clients efficiently.

The company ensures that the materials and items required most frequently, or those likely to be in high demand, are always in stock as much as possible. Phagane adds that, by keeping local inventory, Multotec can reduce lead times.

“When customers need in-person support or mineral processing equipment, our local presence facilitates shorter turnaround times, which is crucial for industries where downtime can be costly and disruptive.”

Further, Phagane emphasises the importance of placing orders for parts and products timeously to ensure as little plant downtime as possible.

Multotec Botswana employs dedicated personnel, currently 100% citizens of Botswana to track and place orders through its “order-to-cash” process, ensuring smooth progress along the value chain with few interruptions and delays.

Further, Multotec Botswana maintains a dedicated fleet and logistical support infrastructure to ensure timely delivery of goods to clients, regardless of their location.

“With dedicated drivers, trucks and equipment, such as forklifts, Multotec guarantees that orders are delivered promptly and efficiently,” he says, adding that when there are delays or urgent customer requests, orders can be expedited.

Group Effort

As part of the Multotec Group, Multotec Botswana has the flexibility to collaborate with sister companies to fulfil urgent orders.

For instance, if a customer in Botswana urgently requires items, and a sister company has available stock, arrangements can be made to expedite delivery.

Another advantage of belonging to a group of companies is showcased through Multotec Botswana’s access to a pool of skilled personnel and subject matter experts to assist with technical support and maintenance services. These experts can provide advice and solutions tailored to specific client requirement.

Meanwhile, through its advanced condition monitoring tools, Multotec Botswana can predict equipment wear and ensure uninterrupted operation for clients.

Phagane adds that, by closely engaging with customers and understanding their needs, Multotec Botswana assists in identifying gaps and areas for improvement in mineral processing operations.

Custom-made solutions, such as cyclones, screen panels, pumps and spirals, are offered to optimise plant operations and lower processing costs for the mining of minerals, such as diamonds, copper and gold.

“We work in partnership with our customers to assure them that, by buying our products, they can have peace of mind knowing that they have an industry-proven product.”

Multotec Botswana is committed to building strong partnerships within the local market, and that through strategic investments, community engagement and client-centric solutions, the company continues to focus on sustainable growth and development in Botswana's mining industry, Phagane concludes.