PLANT HIRE PROWESS

Reliable heavy duty plant equipment is supplied in South Africa by Sandton Plant Hire Pty Ltd. Petrus Roets, Director, tells us about the company’s diverse services and reputation for excellence

Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Joshua Mann

There is currently an increased demand for contract mining work in South Africa.

This is resulting from higher commodity prices, and the lack of supply in Europe due to the RussiaUkraine war. This increased demand bodes well for the mining industry in the country over the next few years.

Policy issues are still to be resolved by the South African government, however, in order to expedite new mining projects and attract investment in the industry.

“Ideally, politics should not dictate the growth of the mining industry in South Africa. It is facing many challenges, however, mining still presents companies like ours with many opportunities,” opens Petrus Roets, Director of Sandton Plant Hire Pty Ltd. and its associated companies (Sandton).

“If all interested parties, i.e. customers, contractors, employees and communities work together, there are a lot of opportunities that can be created which in turn will contribute to the South African economy and state coffers.”

Sandton was incorporated in 1982, and in the 40 years since has established itself as one of the leading plant hire businesses in South Africa.

Today, the company offers bulk and hot material handling, crushing and screening, drilling and blasting services, as well as plant hire and earthmoving equipment to opencast mining customers.

Specialising in the supply and operational management of a wide range of plant equipment, diversity of service is extremely important to Sandton.

“Diversity is crucial as the oper ating cycles of mines, smelters and plant hire tend to be different, thus one industry subsidises the other when there is a downturn in one of the operating sectors,” Roets explains.

“We supply equipment to drill and blast, mine, crush and screen, and handle materials in the coal, chrome, iron ore, and manganese commodity markets.”

Optimising Profitability

Sandton has a reputation for service excellence and combined with its associated companies, employs more than 2,200 members of staff.

Sandton is well known for its bulk buying power and solid customer relations, as well as its commitment to service delivery in a safe environment.

Sandton Associated Companies

SANDTON PLANT HIRE –Specialising in the supply and operational management of earthmoving and mining equipment.

ALMAR INVESTMENTS – A preferred supplier and contractual custodian of earthmoving and plant hire equipment, bulk material handling, hot slag handling, shortdistance transport, and crushing and screening plants.

MPUKUNYONI MINING – Engaged in opencast mining operations of anthracite and related activities, with the largest anthracite mine in South Africa.

SANDTON MINING – Opencast mining operations of anthracite and related activities, as well as civil and earthworks.

SOMKHELE PLANT – Plant hire company operating in the opencast mining area in the anthracite market.

“We assist our customers by providing world class products and services, to ensure timely and effective production that results in customers optimising their profitability,” outlines Roets.

“We trust that we will retain all contracts where we are currently delivering services of the highest quality.”

Sandton is nevertheless targeting further new mining and smelting contracts, and Roets buoyantly informs us that, “there are always enquiries for opencast mining and plant hire work.”

As the opportunities arise, any new contracts will be tendered and assessed on a one-on-one basis by Sandton, who equally continues to invest in modernising its fleet.

This is by no means a new process, as making sure the fleet remains well maintained is part of the company’s daily processes. This strict maintenance plan is followed to ensure the maximum productivity of all equipment, and it is company policy to only use vehicles that are maintained to a high level.

Magna Tyres South Africa

Magna Tyres South Africa is a proud supplier of OTR tyres to Sandton Plant Hire Pty Ltd. This relationship has thrived for almost 10 years so far, and varies from tyres needed for graders to ADTs and RDTs. Most of the tyres are used for the SPH sizeable fleet of ADTs in SA, which are operating in various underfoot conditions like coal, manganese, platinum and others. In addition, Magna also supplies tyres for smelter applications.

Sandton Plant Hire Pty Ltd. is known for controlling the cost of ownership of their tyres. In comparison to other brands, Magna Tyres’ products have proven to be very favourable and consistent. The other main added values that Sandton Plant Hire Pty Ltd. requires are the availability of the tyres needed and short communication lines. Sandton Plant Hire Pty Ltd. and Magna Tyres share a customer focussed orientation, which has resulted in a strong professional and personal relationship.

Thanks to the good reputation of Sandton Plant Hire Pty Ltd., Magna Tyres SA was able to use them as a reference for the SA market and beyond which helped Magna Tyres SA to grow in the sub-Saharan market as well as further reinforcing the relationship.

Magna Tyres SA is grateful for the fruitful cooperation with Sandton Plant Hire Pty Ltd. in recent years and looks forward to further extending the mutual relationship.

Robert-Jan Geurink Managing Director Magna Tyres South Africa (PTY)

LTD magnatyres.com