Jindal Mozambique

MINING INDUSTRY KEY PLAYER EXPANSION

JINDAL MOZAMBIQUE

Mining in Mozambique We spoke to Rajendra Tiwari, Business Unit Head of Jindal Mozambique, about the company’s operation in the southern African mining industry Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Josh Mann 2 | Africa Outlook issue 88

M

ozambique is mostly known for its long coastline bordering the Indian Ocean, its tropical waters, and the resulting popular beaches and holidaying locations. But beneath the soil the country also has a rich and varied abundance of natural resources including coal, graphite,

marble, iron, copper, and gold among many others. These resources have allowed Mozambique to become a substantial contributor to the southern African mining industry.

Jindal Mozambique Minerias Limitida is one such company that has stepped into the spotlight

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of the industry. Part of the Indian conglomerate Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) - a leading global player in the steel, power, mining, coal-to-liquid, oil and gas, as well as infrastructure sectors - the business branch in Mozambique brings the professionalism of decades of

experience and practice within the mining sphere to African shores.

Other aspects of the businesses’ core strength also lie in its steel production and power plants, both of which it has in India and abroad, as well as additional coal and iron ore mines, kept moving forward by an

impressive 1,200 employees.

The southern African mining sector is a promising area, as Jindal’s Mozambique branch’s Business Unit Head, Rajendra Tiwari, explains.

“There is tremendous potential in the country. There is a requirement to develop some of the infrastructure in Africa Outlook issue 88 | 3

JINDAL MOZAMBIQUE Mozambique, especially road and rail networks, to maximise the opportunity of its mineral reserves such as coal,” he tells us.

This requirement is being met

by Jindal’s ability to utilise its widespanning industry knowledge and apply it to practices that see the company showcase exactly how southern African mining can reach the heights of productivity.

CAREER GLANCE We asked Rajendra Tiwari (RT) about his past career and how he came to be a part of the African mining industry: RT: I studied at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, in mining. Having graduated in 1993, I joined a coal mining government organisation until 2008. I consider that moment as the start of my career journey.

I worked hard and reached the level of Deputy General Manager with the organisation before being offered an opportunity to work with Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, through which I became Statutory Mines Manager of a 6.25 MTPA coal mine.

I got an opportunity in JPL in 2008 and became statutory Mines manager of a 6.25 million tons per annum (MTPA) coal mine. This preceded a chance to work on a brilliant overseas project – I have been working in Africa since 2012.

Most of the time I was working in coal mines only. I am also holder of First-class mines manager competency certificate (coal) issued by DGMS India.

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“We have a 4.5 tonnes per annum coal mine in Mozambique and an 800 tonnes per hour coal beneficiation plant. This mine is in Tete province of Mozambique on the Tete Songo Highway (about 120 kilometres from Tete). We produce coking coal and thermal coal,” Tiwari explains.

INVESTMENTS AND PARTNERS Jindal Mozambique prides itself on its operational efficiency and safety concerns for its employees. Through these primary values the company was able to weather the worst of the industry impacts being caused by the coronavirus pandemic. To showcase this, there is no better example than Jindal’s $23 million investment in

increasing operational efficiency.

“Our project was initially of 400 tonnes per hour. We expanded this to 800 tonnes by installing an additional dense media separation (DMS) plant, spiral plant, DMS thickener, tailing thickener, and associated infrastructure,” Tiwari continues.

“We have also expanded the mining capacity accordingly by purchasing four new Volvo 950 excavators and supporting equipment like dozers, graders, and water sprinklers. We also brought one RH120 along with five Cat77D dumper trucks. We could increase our mining capacity from three million metric tons per hour (MTPA) to 4.5 MTPA with this new equipment.”

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A FOUNDER’S STORY Shri Om Prakash Jindal, Founder and Chairman of the Jindal Group, was born on August 7, 1930, to a farmer in Nalwa village of Hisar district in Haryana.

Having an interest in technology from a young age, he started his industrial career with a humble bucket-manufacturing unit in Hisar in 1952. In 1964, he commissioned a pipe unit, Jindal India Limited, followed by a large factory in 1969 under the name of Jindal Strips Limited.

Shri Jindal envisioned a self-reliant India in every sector of industry. To help bring about this vision, he gathered the latest technical know-how from around the world and strengthened his industrial establishment.

Recognising his outstanding contribution to the Indian steel industry, Shri O. P. Jindal was conferred the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry in November 2004.

Shri Jindal believed that without the upliftment of those in society who were more disadvantaged, a nation can never prosper. Because of this, he spent a lot of time in taking steps to alleviate poverty and boost disadvantaged communities.

He was elected a Member of the Haryana Legislative Assembly three times, and a Member of Parliament in the 11th Lok Sabha, from the Kurukshetra constituency of Haryana, with a landslide victory in 1996. He also served as the Minister of Power, for the Government of Haryana. His multifarious career was tragically cut short with his accidental death on March 31, 2005.

He is a visionary remembered for his business excellence and social responsibilities alike.

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JINDAL MOZAMBIQUE

SUSTAINABILITY AT A GLANCE Jindal Africa believes that no corporate activity should be conducted without a comprehensive social responsibility (CSR) programme to ensure that the foundations are laid for a long lasting and beneficial legacy.

Jindal has a long-term view of Africa and endeavours to set an example for other corporate institutions looking to expand globally by the way it contributes to the overall economic development of the continent.

The company is noted for living up to its commitment to ensure sustainable development in the areas where it operates by building long-term relations and partnerships with key stakeholders.

Central to its engagement strategy is a firm commitment to contributing to sustainable development through various CSR initiatives that demonstrate Jindal

Africa’s commitment to investing in the social upliftment of the people in Africa.

Social responsibility is a central theme that drives Jindal Africa’s business operations.

This business philosophy demonstrates the company’s commitment to its vision and mission that aim to add value to the lives of communities and stakeholders touched by operations.

Jindal works alongside a set of core sustainability values that is holds to in all times and areas of operation.

Pillars of sustainability: - Education - Health - Livelihood - Infrastructure development - Livestock management - Youth and sports - Environmental protection

This internal investment does not only increase operational efficiencies to a new maintainable high level, but it also increases Jindal’s capacity to reduce operational costs and consequently remain competitive in the market.

Alongside self-investment, key supply chain partners make up an important part of Jindal’s industry success. A healthy relationship with stakeholders and suppliers ensure that the company continually meets and exceeds the expectations of its customer base.

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CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITIES A large part of Jindal is its peoplecentric approach towards operation.

This does not only mean the safety of its employees, but also the development of each working company member, and on top of this, the chance to improve and advance.

“Our company gives a lot of space for the staff to learn, and even make mistakes, and develop from this to contribute to the long-term development of the company and society as a whole. It is because of the hard work of all of Jindal’s employees that we are in the industry and leave a strong footprint,” Tiwari tells us.

This consistent attitude towards learning, personal development, and hard work makes Jindal one company that has moved into the new year with a mindset for growth. Tiwari ends by elaborating on the company’s priorities for the rest of 2021.

“2020 has not been an ideal year in terms of the coal market and pricing.

We are still hopeful that there will be some improvement in coal prices next year as there is a lot of potential it. There are challenges in terms of infrastructure in Mozambique and I hope the government will take appropriate measures to solve these issues.

“However, we have recently

commissioned our expansion project - there are only some small aspects to be finished for completion. We need to reach the highest capacity in terms of production, and so we are also under discussion with the government of Mozambique to set up a 2x75 megawatt coal based thermal power plant in our mining license area.

JINDAL MOZAMBIQUE Tel: +258 2 130 4880 info.moz@jindalafrica.com www.jindalafrica.com

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JINDAL MOZAMBIQUE JSPL Mozambique Minerais LDA Rua Dos Desportistas, Building No. 833, Block 12, JAT-V III, 9th Floor Tel: +258 2 130 4880 info.moz@jindalafrica.com www.jindalafrica.com

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