Lubricants company Fuchs Lubricants South Africa reports that it sees the iron-ore and manganese sector in South Africa, and especially in the Northern Cape, as presenting much scope for expansion of its existing operations, according to Fuchs Kuruman branch manager Martiens Bester.

Fuchs has existing contracts with most of the major mining houses represented in the area around Kuruman.

Hosting some of the largest iron-ore and manganese deposits globally, Kuruman is where Fuchs Lubricants South Africa has established a 600 m2 warehouse.

He notes that the long-serving Kuruman team has 100 years of collective experience, including three service technicians who also carry out maintenance on-site at key client mining sites.

A key differentiator for Fuchs’ branch in Kuruman is that it offers a pump-on service, especially for large hydraulic mining shovels, which must always be fully operational to ensure the best productivity.

The main products supplied from the Kuruman branch are high performance, semi-synthetic mining greases.

Fuchs’ Renolit Lubrene LMG 960 EP 2 is a grease with semi-synthetic base oil, extreme pressure additives and solid lubricants.

This grease, according to Fuchs, exhibits “excellent” anti-wear and load-carrying capacity, and is recommended for the lubrication of slow-speed anti-friction bearings, pin and bushes and universal joints and axles.

Both iron-ore and manganese are vital for steel manufacturing, and South Africa is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of the mineral, especially to China.

These commodities are important for South Africa’s economy as the manganese and iron-ore mining sector generates significant employment opportunities and revenue.

“Our major focus is to proactively address any issues our clients may experience. Customer service is what keeps our doors open,” assures Bester.

In addition, the company also supplies ancillary sectors, such as earthmoving contractors, and is looking to branch out into other market segments and applications in the Northern Cape.