AFRICAN MINING SERVICES
An honest approach to regional industry success
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Mining with
Integrity African Mining Services has blended Australian industry practices with a dedicated localisation focus to become one of West Africa’s primary sector operators Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Donovan Smith
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AEMS AN EXPERTISE AT HAND’S REACH AEMS GROUP is a synergy of 3 structures: African Equipment Maintenance and Services - for all your mining heavy machinery maintenance and service issues African Institute of Technology - An advanced heavy equipment training center African Construction Corporation - For all your civil construction projects
AEMS-MALI Bamako en face du Stade du 26 Mars Mali Email: info@aems-mali.com Phone: 00223 20 77 54 85 Rental: 00223 65 95 03 35/00223 77 27 36 69 Maintenance: 00223 65 95 03 34, 00223 70 56 07 82 Commercial: 00223 65 95 03 37/00223 70 56 06 80 http://aems-mali.com
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o achieve long-term, sustainable and ethicallysound success in West Africa is no mean feat for some of the region’s leading industrial operators, so to do so as an indigenously international entity is all the more impressive. However, that’s exactly what African Mining Services has achieved since the Australian Company’s inception in Ghana nearly 30 years ago. Leveraging an existing plethora of knowledgeable, innovative and ambitious Australian expats, a subsequent financial acumen and inner-belief entered the region with a faith that anything was possible. A host of niche mining industry practices, and unparalleled scope in the open cut contract mining arena later, and AMS continues to broaden its influence in West Africa as a now-trusted and reputed local provider. Operations Manager for the Company’s Senegalese activities, Darran
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The mining region here is rich with gold deposits and the mining contracting competition is strong. As a result, operating with continued success is highly complex and subject to a very dynamic political and socioeconomic scene”
Twining further introduces the AMS model: “AMS predominantly performs exploration drilling, production drill and blast, grade control, hydraulic excavator and mechanical drive dump truck operations. “The mining region here is rich with gold deposits and the mining contracting competition is strong. As a result, operating with continued success is highly complex and subject to a very dynamic political and socioeconomic scene. However, AMS has evolved from a small Ghana-based business and expanded into the regional, francophone countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast and here in Senegal.” While the business’s aforementioned – and turnkey – array of services inevitably sets it apart from most competitors in the local market, to truly understand AMS’s success you need to delve into more personable attributes; Twining himself
African Equipment Maintenance and Services (AEMS) has been flourishing across West Africa since 2009. Largely operating within Mali, the firm provides adequate solutions to mechanical problems for companies working within the mining and public works sectors, helping to overcome the challenges that arise in a complex line of work. The Company specialises in the maintenance, installation and repair of mining machinery, public works, drilling, handling and generators, and also in offering rental construction equipment. With nearly 100 experts in the field, AEMS offers a unique and innovative way of performing meticulous diagnosis with its modern equipment, enabling it respond positively and diligently to any concerns that its customers may have. To date AEMS has been bringing its expertise to several institutions by achieving a number of exploits: • Rebuilt 16 dampers 777D. • Rebuilt loaders 988F. • Rebuilt bulldozer D9R. • Reconditioned and changed several organs. • Installed Caterpillar, Liebherr, O&K equipment. • Signed maintenance contracts with other parties. • Rented machines. • Completed a range of technical assistance. 2013 saw AEMS launching two new divisions to expand its expertise – African Institute of Technology (CDM-AITECH) and Africa Construction Corporation (ACC). With the ambitions of building a state-of-the-art
workshop, setting up five bachelor’s degrees covering multiple business laterals in the process, the firm has established itself as a construction company that has a significant internal dimension, differentiating itself from many of its competitors. AEMS prides its workshop on… • Being a dedicated organisation. • Providing expertise and quality of services. • Offering a choice of used parts. • Providing on-site diagnostics to reduce removal costs. • Making recommendations on a case by case basis. • Respecting deadlines and considering emergencies. • Being able to trace and monitor after sales performance. To date, the Company has worked with a number of firms, including, but not limited to: African Mining services, AUMS, Moolmans, Impact Africa Guinea, Songhoi Resources, Papillon Resources, Afrilogue Mali, Somilo SA, Atlas Copco Mali, Kama SA, Endeavour, Nevsun Mali, Segala Mining, Semos SA, Solaris Somagec, Somika, SMK, Senet, Glencar and Etasi. Driven by its overriding goal of being the alternative to branded original parts dealers and premium brand parts for vehicles, and in the aim providing optimal solutions to business requirements, AEMS continually implements the highest self-imposed standards.
T +223 20 77 54 85 E info@aems-mali.com
www.aems-mali.com
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HALADJIAN
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aladjian has been an independent spare part distributor for mobile machines for more than 50 years. Present in France and in Western Africa, Haladjian is committed to giving an alternative to OEM dealers, and thanks to its technical expertise on spare parts, we can reduce operational costs for our customers while increasing machine efficiency. The Haladjian team and the family owners are 100 percent dedicated to their customers. Partnerships with our leading customers are crucial, and that is why HALADJIAN is pleased to count AMS as a privileged partner. Haladjian and AMS do have a strong relationship, sharing the same objectives for product and service performance. As an independent company, HALADJIAN is committed to giving AMS the most suitable solutions for their applications, a customised service, and dedicated stock stored close to their operation sites. AMS is a pilot customer for HALADJIAN. Meeting AMS’s needs and expectations drives the HALADJIAN strategy in Western Africa, to better serve all its customers.
citing a family feel, complete trust and transparency, companionship, and an ability to work collaboratively to solve challenges among these core traits. Such capabilities and values have aided the Company’s flexibility, adaptability and resilience amid fluctuating market trends; and upon the 2005 Ausdrill Ltd takeover of the organisation, AMS has been able to add an extra level of clout to its attractive ethos in order to further capitalise on regional opportunities. “For me, there are some things we do really well, some things we do reasonably well, and some things I’d still like for us to improve upon,” Twining surmises. “However, our footprint expansion is testament to us
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doing something right in the industry, and – driven by our COO (John Kavangh) and GM (Darren Wheadon) – we know we have the necessary tools to continue improving our proposition in the future. “These include our maintenance knowhow and asset management processes; our anti-bribery and corruption stance; our option to leverage off Ausdrill; and our ability to ingratiate ourselves locally and promote nationals.”
We wish total success to all the AMS team for their ongoing projects and all new ones!
Empowering and uplifting
It is perhaps this final parameter which has and will continue to dictate AMS’s ultimate success in the long-term, in West Africa.
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T +(33) 4 90 39 39 23 E export@haladjian.fr
www.haladjian-export.com/en/
+(33) 4 90 39 39 23 export@haladjian.fr www.haladjian-export.com/en/
OUR SOLUTIONS Parts and service for mobile equipments and fleet’s optimization +250 people
+55
years of history
Mining & construction market
Services
• On-site diagnosis • Repair/upgrade recommendations • Planned maintenance schedules • Performance follow-ups • Technical training & know-how sharing
Multi-brands Parts
• Ground engaging tools • Equipments and buckets • Undercarriages • Genuine and OEM mechanical parts • Machine safety and security systems
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JA DELMAS
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A Delmas has been a Cat dealer for more than 85 years, and present in West Africa through its Network of representatives for over 160 years. Operating in sectors such as construction, infrastructures, power generation and mining, the network stays ahead of its competition by striving for customer service excellence with an ever growing presence and the best people in the industry. JA Delmas is proud to develop its partnership with AMS on a regional basis. AMS has a range of exciting projects in West Africa, where we accompany them from greenfield to fully productive mining operations, as we have done for many other international mining customers.
While the region’s rich gold deposits and lucrative commodity zones will continue to lure a carrot in front of budding contractors, it is imperative that the successful exponent tackles the complex industry climate and fragile socioeconomic scene head-on. “There’s been huge changes in focus for national governments in the region over the years in terms of ‘what is good for living standards?’ or ‘what do we need international companies to bring to our country?’ and expectations can change from time to time,” Twining explains. “The trick to it all, from our perspective, has been the connections we have formed. Whether it’s a new country we’re entering like Senegal or the Ivory Coast, or a country where we’ve been operational for a decade like Mali; it’s all about making the right connections with people in decisionmaking positions and showcasing to them that our approach to mining will bring economic value to their nation and will put communities first at all times.”
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JA Delmas and its representatives seek to further reduce the cost per tonne for its customers by applying creative technology, process and skill to each site. Investment into the JA Delmas infrastructures has doubled in the past year, ensuring they can respond to the needs expressed by customers.
...it’s all about making the right connections with people in decision-making positions and showcasing to them that our approach to mining will bring economic value to their nation and will put communities first at all times”
Proximity and ease of doing business make JA Delmas a natural choice in West Africa. With the strong and reliable Cat equipment and a network of experts, this is the perfect recipe for success. More specifically, with AMS now extending its operations into Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal, the Network has improved its presence considerably through for example a certified rebuild facility, a brand new warehouse and large workshops. These service features are enriched with more oil analysis capacity, training facilities and customer reception areas. We wish AMS the best success in their future ventures into West Africa!
YOUR CAT DEALER IN WEST AFRICA ®
OUR SCOPE OF OPERATIONS · Construction & Infrastructures · Mining · Energy, Manufacturing & Services OUR EXPERTISE · Equipment & Spare Parts · Training · Maintenance Contracts · Technical Consulting & Support · Financing · Used & Rental Equipment · New Technologies OUR NETWORK · Benin · Burkina Faso · Cote d’Ivoire · Gambia · Guinea · Guinea Bissau · Mali · Mauritania · Niger · Senegal · Togo
Visit us on www.jadelmas.com © 2018 Caterpillar | All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress and Product Link, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillarand may not be used without permission.
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He continues: “It’s actually one of the main reasons I enjoy working for AMS - you can’t always do it for money. You have to put forward a more wholesome proposition, get a foothold, and show you are a genuine company with integrity. We like to think we can do what we say we can do and that generates trust and a level of respect that continues to grow our reputation.” By keeping lines of communication
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open, it has also helped the Company foresee industry or national challenges that other operators might walk blindly into. Working harmoniously to bridge cultures, objectives and even languages, a cycle of sustainability has had to be generated (often from very nascent beginnings) in each country. Twining continues: “With the localisation process, in each case we have to initially utilise expats but we do so to train nationals, so that the ratio between the two shifts in favour of the latter over the years. “Concurrently, we offer stateof-the-art training and development programmes to get people up to speed and to develop their skills; often using simulators so that they’re exposed to the complex conditions, hazards and challenges that they will eventually face when the time comes to be assigned onsite. “Essentially everything is geared around empowering and uplifting our nationals.”
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With the localisation process, in each case we have to initially utilise expats but we do so to train nationals, so that the ratio between the two shifts in favour of the latter over the years”
SERVING AFRICA WITH AMS SINCE 2008
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Human Resources company for over 25 years now, SAER-EMPLOI has been assisting its customers in their growth by providing them with qualified personnel whose daily management enables them to concentrate on their core business.
ADVANTAGES FOR THE CLIENT:
• Time saving, • Considerable reduction in personnel costs, • Compliance with labor legislation.
25 years
Over 10 000
9 subsidiaries
Over 300
in the domain in West Africa
Over 100 000
collaborators
jobs created
projects in the mining and construction sectors in West Africa
EXPERTISE
PRESENCE
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Recruitment, Payroll outsourcing, Provision of personnel Advice and assistance in Human Resources
Senegal Niger Burkina Cote d’ivoire Guinea Togo Benin Liberia United kingdom
Hamdallaye ACI 2000, Road 311, SAER-EMPLOI Building - Bamako, Mali Phone : +223 20 29 08 58 - Fax : +223 20 29 08 47 E-mail : info@saer-emploi.com
www.saer-emploi.com
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VIVO ENERGY MALI
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ivo Energy Mali - the company behind the Shell brand - is proud to supply African Underground Mining Services with its fuel and lubricants needs. The Shell brand has been present in Mali since 1934, and has a strong brand image in the country. Vivo Energy has an excellent reputation for its values and principles and is committed to be the leader in the Malian fuel and lubricants market. In addition to supporting the commercial mining sector Vivo Energy Mali also offers solutions for motorists and other businesses. Through our network of 35 retail service stations, and with a storage capacity of 5,200 square metres, motorists are provided with a comprehensive range of Shell fuels and lubricants, including: • Shell Diesel Extra • Shell Super Unleaded • Shell Helix Ultra • Shell Advance
Reliability and consistency
By showing an aptitude for local enrichment and sustainable talent progression, AMS has understandably strengthened its appeal to national governments and potential clients. And this is epitomised by the vast portfolio of projects attained over the years across Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and more recently Ivory Coast. Establishing, and then retaining, positive relationships with key clients in each case – Perseus, AngloGold Ashanti and Endeavour being prime examples – the sharing of information, skill-bases and resources that occurs consequently continues to breed new opportunities and fresh project leads. “In each case, what we bring is a sense of reliability and consistency, and this is what sets us apart once we begin working on a project,” Twining
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Even when things get out of control, or difficult, AMS can always stick it out with a financial, technical and consultancy footing which reduces risk across the board”
Vivo Energy Mali provides a wide range of Shell fuel and lubricants products to its business customers - both in the private and the public sectors - to support their growth. We provide cost effective solutions (including storage, distribution and technical advice) in the following areas of business: • Mining • Power • Construction • Road transport • Manufacturing • Agriculture
Please contact us to see how we can help: T +223 449 97 88 88
www.vivoenergy.com
Vivo Energy Mining: Technology leadership and expertise to drive down your costs Vivo Energy - the company behind the Shell brand in Africa - brings you Shell’s industry-leading products, services and technology, with an offer designed to meet your precise mining needs and reduce your Total Cost of Operations.
At Vivo Energy we know that as an African mining company you battle tough conditions everyday. We know that you continually strive to reduce your operational costs; that you rely heavily on your machinery, demanding fuel and lubricants products which ensure you get optimal use from it; that you require a constant, uninterrupted supply of these products; and that you have certain non-negotiables particularly around safety. Fortunately, Vivo Energy is in a position to provide you with complete solutions to all of these requirements. We are proud to put Shell’s high quality products, services and technology at your disposal. Our tailored offer will meet your precise needs, help you optimise your Total Cost of Operations, and ensure your mining business is more successful and sustainable. If you would like to reduce your costs and optimise the use of fuel and lubricant products in your mining operations, contact us at www.vivoenergy.com
Fulling Africa’s Future Shell trademarks used under license.
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says. “Even when things get out of control, or difficult, AMS can always stick it out with a financial, technical and consultancy footing which reduces risk across the board. “Even where there are financial difficulties, we have the capacity to soldier on in full operational mode without diluting the strength of our employees, capital expenditures or overall operations.” Once again, by demonstrating these characteristics and such business strength, its cachet among national governments escalates accordingly, and AMS’s values eventually get rewarded with the best projects, and, resultantly, strong revenue growth. Twining elaborates: “This then puts us in a great position from an investment perspective, AMS now
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Even where there are financial difficulties, we have the capacity to soldier on in full operational mode without diluting the strength of our employees, capital expenditures or overall operations”
comprising one of the best fleets of equipment and machinery in the region. New technologies and innovations in the drill blast space find their way to West Africa via Ausdrill and ultimately means we can do things that our competitors can’t with more technically-advanced equipment. “While many other market operators have the same excavators or vehicles as we do, we have the ability and scope to operate them better. This comes from a capacity to upgrade, maintain, train and develop to better meet clients’ needs; and, in turn, people, partners and companies gravitate towards us.”
Bucking trends and exceeding expectations
In Senegal, as has been the case in every other presence point before,
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ATC
Your preferred blasting partner in Francophone West Africa.
Leader in large-scale metal construction: mining, boilermaking / oil depots, irrigation, containers, transport / handling.
BURKINA FASO • MALI • GUINEA • SENEGAL
Burkina Faso Andre van der Walt Mobile +226 67 25 67 90 Senegal, Mali and Guinea Andre Labuschagne Mobile +221 78 42 15 814 www.aelminingservices.com
www.atcmali.com
AMS is already sowing seeds for future prevalence. The development of nationals, the formulation of positive business partnerships, the establishment of a collaborative forum with the Government, and a commitment to uplift the Kedougou region’s communities is already in full swing. Ultimately, it’s about leaving every project site, and its surrounding area, in a better shape than when AMS entered it. Onsite, this revolves around health & safety, waste management, supplier network development, and – of course – personnel improvement. Externally, corporate social responsibility initiatives are tied into client objectives and an ongoing drive to improve the lives of local nationals. “AMS is known as a good training and development company for national employees,” Twining affirms. “There is a massive focus on doing things to a high standard and
integrating Australian standards into African mining. And AMS has a good reputation for treating nationals with respect and enabling them to succeed. “I strongly believe an Australian culture and mining aptitude tends to reward us in terms of our national workforce’s attitude.” Twining goes on to attribute applicable notions of honesty and integrity as two of the Company’s overriding differentiators as the
business looks forward to continued success in West Africa in the years to come. “We operate according to a fiveyear strategy and have high hopes for upcoming projects in 2019, especially in Senegal,” he concludes. “We want to continue to buck trends and exceed expectations through our model and how we conduct ourselves. “I’m excited for the future, both here in Senegal and for AMS as a whole. We continue to align ourselves with opportunities that match with a kind of mining that revolves around honesty and integrity. And as such, it’s a good time to be wearing an AMS shirt.”
African Mining Services - Ghana Tel: +233 302 611333 enquiries@amsgh.com www.amsgh.com
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Burkina Faso Ouaga 2000-Rue du Nere Secteur 52, Parcelle 12, Lot 10, Section 282 PO Box: 11 BP 1145 CMS Ouagadougou 11 T: +226 50 36 01 17
Guinea Mine de Siguiri Commune Urbaine de Suguiri Republique de Guinee T: +224 623 624 626
Senegal Villa TF 3.095/NGA Lot 2, Ngor-Almadies Dakar Senegal T: +221 338 205 963
Ghana No 13 Patrice Lumumba Road Airport Residential Area PMB KIA Accra Ghana T: +233 302 611333
Mali Villa MAEVA 7 Porte 139 Cite du Niger 2 BPE 5410 Bamako Mali T: +223 20 214 242
enquiries@amsgh.com www.amsgh.com
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