"If Sany s mining equipments can work in South Africa, they can work anywhere in the world, said John, Technical Director of South Africa Coal Mining Association, after a contract for importing Sany s mining equipment to South Africa was signed.
South Africa has 83% of Africa s coal reserves. The coal resources are rich, but all of them are hard coals. The hardness of South Africa coal is the greatest in the world, two times of that of China s. This makes South Africa the market with the highest requirements on coalmining technology and equipment.
After almost a year of negotiating and planning, on January 12, 2010, Sany Overseas and Kusile Mining, a subsidiary of BIRD group in South Africa, concluded an dealer agreement for mining equipment, as well as a purchase contract for four units of equipment including the continuous coal miner and the shuttle car, at Witbank, the biggest coal production base in South Africa. The two parties deem this as the start of a long-term strategic partnership.
"By bringing this underground mining technology to South Africa, Kusile Mining will be able to assist in job creation and skills development. In addition, the company will launch some direct competition into the South African mining equipment industry, which is currently monopolised by limited industry players, says Kusile s head of the Sany account, Chris Hauptfleisch. Kusile business and technical unit manager Richard de Breyn adds that, thanks to the agreement, South African mining houses will be provided with a wider choice of product and technology.
The signing of this agency agreement and the purchase contract bears far-reaching significance. By bringing this underground mining technology to South Africa, Kusile Mining will be able to assist in job creation and skills development . In addition, the company will launch some direct competition into the South African mining equipment industry, which is currently monopolized by limited industry players, says Kusile s head of the Sany account, Chris Hauptfleisch. Kusile business and technical unit manager Richard de Breyn adds that, thanks to the agreement, South African mining houses will be provided with a wider choice of product and technology.
SABC, the biggest TV station in South Africa, along with South Africa Business Report, Coal Mining Weekly, Witbank Daily and media of the mining industry including Engineering News etc. all made coverage of the event.
