w w w . a F R I C A o u t l o o k m a g . c o m
J i n d a l
A f r i c a
Jindal Africa looks to Botswana for its latest coalfield project at Mmamabula
w
w
w
.
j
i
n
d
a
l
a
f
r
i
c
a
.
c
o
m
J i n d a l
A f r i c a
G r o w i n g
O u r
S p i r i t , t h e
African Way
2
www.aFRICAoutlookmag.com
R
e
s
o
u
r
c
e
s
Jindal Africa is working vigorously to entrench and expand its foothold in Africa to the benefit of its holding group and its local stakeholders Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager Arron Rampling
indal Africa is at the forefront of Botswana’s mining and energy developments, which are carefully aligned with the country’s national goals. The industrial conglomerate, Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) is a leading global player in the steel, power, mining, coal-to-liquid, oil and gas, as well as infrastructure sectors, employing more than 50,000 people around the world, thus Jindal Africa is a natural fit within the business structures of all the African countries. With a strong presence throughout the country, Jindal Botswana makes substantial contributions to the Batswana economy through employment opportunities and community enlistment.
www.aFRICAoutlookmag.com
3
J i n d a l
A f r i c a
The Jindal Botswana office is strategically located in the capital city, Gaborone, while dedicated technical support is available from the neighbouring Jindal Africa Johannesburg head office. Jindal Group currently has established a workforce of over 50,000 employees globally and approximately 2,500 within Africa. The parent company and its subsidiaries exhibit a varied portfolio of professional skills in undertaking mining, power, infrastructure, and oil and gas projects accordingly, which Jindal Botswana’s operations currently leverage. To this end, the company is currently involved in numerous exploration
4
www.aFRICAoutlookmag.com
The company is currently involved in numerous exploration and mining operations across five continents while also looking out for and planning projects in the steel, power and related industries
and mining operations across five continents while also looking out for and planning projects in the steel, power and related industries. Being a corporate native of the emerging economic power of the Indian sub-continent, JSPL came to the realisation that its wide and inherent experience in the development of its home market can assist with stimulating a similar rise in Africa. As a result, Jindal Africa – one of the fastest growing and significant parts of the Indian JSPL – now spans throughout South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Madagascar, Tanzania, Zambia and Namibia.
J i n d a l
A f r i c a
The Mmamabula Project In October 2014, Jindal Resources Botswana, a subsidiary of Jindal Steel & Power Limited, was awarded a mining licence in the rich coalfields of Mmamabula. “The Mmamabula East Coalfield is an extension of South Africa’s Waterberg Coalfield, comprising of a total area spanning 312.69 km2 and proven reserve of 2.7 billion tonnes,” says Rajendra Kumar Tiwari, General Manager of Jindal Africa’s Botswana operations. Waterberg Coalfield contains approximately 40 percent of South Africa’s coal resources. Located here is also Eskom’s impressive 3,690 MW Matimba power station and Exxaro’s 19 MTPA Grootegeluk coal mine.
6
Long Term Vision The long term vision for this operation is achieving nine mining complexes, of which six will be underground operations and three opencast complexes. “In a full operational state, the mining complexes will have a capacity of 45 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). And with the first phase of the project underway, we have begun our license with 4.5 MTPA, with progression to 14.5 MTPA over the next five years.” Currently still in the planning phase, Jindal are securing the necessary permits and lease in order to proceed with the project safely and other factors that will contribute to its success and longevity. Initially, the
www.aFRICAoutlookmag.com
company hope to export 3 MTPA of the first mine (4.5 MTPA), however discussions are ongoing into local marketing for the coal product.
Economic Benefits
Jindal’s goals in Botswana are closely linked to the country’s adherence to its Vision 2016 and Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The continent shares many similarities and a shared history with India, which provides an unprecedented opportunity for both rising economic giants to march together into the future, for the mutual economic and social benefit of their respective peoples. The mine promises positive economical benefits by heavily contributing to the GDP and
A
uto Sueco Botswana is part of Nors group providing sales, parts and service for Volvo Trucks in Botswana as well as for other Volvo brands such as Volvo Bus and Penta. Auto Sueco Botswana has also the exclusive representation of Renault Trucks for sales and after sales in addition to the existing Volvo product line, in the sequence of the great investment made by Volvo group of which Renault Trucks is part and the reinforcement of the commitment of Nors group with Volvo group. Organisation Auto Sueco Botswana counts with a well-trained team who is capable of providing the expertise and guidance on all the Volvo and Renault Trucks product range. At a more operational level, we have a commercial team permanently on the ground to ensure that a high quality service is delivered in a consistently and timely manner. Market presence In Botswana since 2006, Auto Sueco is backed up by the strength of Nors group which has been widening its presence in the most promising growth markets over the last decade. In addition to the
Botswanan market, the presence of Nors group in Africa, which started in Angola in 1991, extends today to Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique. As part of the geographic coverage plan defined by Nors group for Africa, Auto Sueco Botswana opened a new branch in Francistown which seeks to to ensure a close proximity to a greater number of clients who hardly go to the capitals to be provided with trucks. This support network equips Auto Sueco Botswana with a robust stability, enabling to broaden the product line. Particularly on Volvo Trucks and Buses, Volvo Penta and Renault Trucks, Auto Sueco Botswana offers the latest technology to serve the different purposes of all segments. Referring to after sales, Auto Sueco offers a diversified
stock portfolio and counts on a dedicated stock manager in its team for monitoring and supervising orders. Company vision As a business partner for the brands and products it represents in Botswana, Auto Sueco commits itself to present a unique value proposition to our clients by: •Combining an in-depth understanding of the local markets with global business expertise •Establishing a long term relationship with clients •Creating a specialised team in After Sales who makes a perfectly link with our commercial team •Opening a new branch to reach to other clients and expanding our assistant network
Please reach Auto Sueco Botswana at the contacts listed below Gaborone Plot 47, Gaborone International Commerce Park, Plot 1855. Tel: +267 392 3117 Fax: +267 392 3986 Emergency Breakdown: + 267 713 193 00 Emergency Parts: +267 712 033 33 Francistown Nogha Close, Dumela Industrial. Tel: +267 241 5458 Fax: + 267 241 3987 Workshop: +267 713 192 99
www.aFRICAoutlookmag.com
7
J i n d a l
A f r i c a
generating employment opportunities. “There are huge benefits for locals as we seek a growing number of workers for the site, who we can teach a range of new skills to,” says Tiwari, adding that in terms of supply, doing business with local vendors is also a priority. “Jindal recognises that Africa is endowed with great mineral wealth and hardworking committed people. Its intent is to pass on its inherent knowledge and experience to the continent by enriching lives, creating job opportunities and adding value. “Employment opportunities are still being finalised, but we will strive to source local labour where we can. A lot of our project support is also provided from our central hub - Johannesburg corporate office – until such a stage as we are further developed to employ the necessary manpower to ensure project success,” he says. Mining often forms the base of most economies within Africa, and Botswana is no different. Tiwari says that at the moment, coal mining in the country is in a very nascent stage: “There is only one coal mine in the operating stages within Botswana, with Mmamabula soon to change this.” Backed by the strength of the Group’s strict OHSE policies, the coal mine will closely adhere to practices. “This is a critical area of delivery in all projects and Mmamabula is no exception.”
Landlocked Challenges
Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Jindal Botswana is the logistical challenges that operating in landlocked Botswana creates. “It is a reoccurring fact that the country requires significant investments in infrastructure developments in terms of transport links by rail and road. These upgrades will allow Botswana to compete on a global scale alongside Indonesia, Australia and other major exporting countries,” comments Tiwari.
The Next 12 Months
With governmental discussions ongoing including land leases and various permits that need to be obtained in order to advance project development, environmental clearances for Phase two of the Mmamabula project are also underway. “We are hopeful that these clearances will be obtained in 2015 to allow development to commence on the western portion of the licence area accordingly,” cites Tiwari. In the meantime, Jindal will continue to provide support to the communities in the surrounding areas as Tiwari emphasises: “This is done through our pillars of strength in medical provision, education, youth development through sport initiatives, agriculture development projects and enterprise projects that support sustainability to the area once decommissioning of our projects occur.”
High Rise Scaffolding Erectors (Pty) Ltd
A
t High Rise Scaffolding Erectors (Pty) Ltd we have now been delivering a premier contract scaffolding service for more over a decade. We aim to deliver a product of the highest calibre, whilst maintaining a proactive approach towards health & safety matters and consistently delivering exceptional levels of service to all our clients. We are pleased to offer all of the necessary resources in order to handle your straightforward or complex scaffolding & access requirements.
www.highrisescaffolding.co.bw
AEL Mining Services (Pty) Limited
I
n Botswana, AEL Mining Services (Pty) Limited strives to meet their customers’ needs through maintaining the highest level of safety and improving blasting efficiencies in order to lower final cost per unit of mineral produced. AEL has supplied explosives, accessories and support to Botswana’s mining industry since 1973, when it was first registered as a local business entity with the registrar of companies. AEL Mining Services is fully SABS ISO compliant, and has implemented water recycling programmes at its sites.
www.aelminingservices.com
8
www.aFRICAoutlookmag.com
R
e
s
o
u
r
c
e
s
(+267) 3932050 admin@highrisescaffolding.co.bw
www.highrisescaffolding.co.bw
EXPLOSIVES AEL provides an exhaustive range of surface products, including bulk explosives, packages explosives, boosters, detonating cord and ammonium nitrate (AN) products while its initiating systems offering includes shock tube, electronic initiating systems and Statsafe Carrick detonators. As mining techniques have changed over the years, this division has helped drive the adoption of AEL’s electronic products and the related inherent risk minimisation features among its customer base.
Services • Equipment Services • Product Services • Mining Optimisation • Research and Development www.aelminingservices.com
www.aFRICAoutlookmag.com
9
E n q u iries Tel (UK): +44 (0) 1603 559 151 Tel (SA): +27 (0) 21 527 0053 ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Jindal Africa 1st Floor, Victoria House, Plot 132, Independence Avenue, Gaborone, Botswana
Tel (UK): +44 (0) 1603 559 152
Tel: +267 391 1982
matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com
Fax: +267 391 1986
www.africaoutlookmag.com
www.jindalafrica.com