The East African mining sector is experiencing a transformative shift, particularly in Tanzania, reports screening solutions provider Sandvik Rock Processing, which notes that this has driven its strategy to establish a facility in Mwanza, thereby introducing single-source efficiency, and advanced technology to reduce total cost of ownership of products and plant by miners in the region.

The Mwanza facility, equipped with workshops, inventory warehousing and a training centre, is pivotal in delivering in-country support.

Sandvik has operated in Tanzania since 1999, and opened its new, larger facility in August 2020, with Sandvik’s operation in Tanzania now employing nearly 150 employees, with a strong focus on local talent development through extensive training programmes as well as infrastructure investment, says Sandvik central Tanzania territory manager Sandi Zaranyika.

The Sandvik team in Mwanza includes service technicians and product specialists that support Tanzania’s dynamic mining sector.

“With several major mining projects forthcoming, including nickel and coal mines, and numerous graphite projects, we are poised to support the growth in Tanzania’s mining industry,” Zaranyika comments.

He adds that through the company’s proactive preparations, training and infrastructure investments, Sandvik is geared toward supporting the mining industry’s expanding needs in the short- to medium-term.

Additionally, through the company’s products and service offerings, customers entrust Sandvik with their personnel’s upskilling, further addressing local skills shortages in the growing industry.

Sandvik is fully compliant with Tanzania’s local content regulations and is recognised as an indigenous Tanzanian company.

This move, along with Sandvik’s training initiatives for over 30 participants, underscores its commitment to local development and technology transfer, Zaranyika says, adding that this training helps to prepare Tanzanians in equipment maintenance and operational duties.

Meanwhile, Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions sales area Africa VP Tarynn Yatras further elaborates on the strategic blend of direct and indirect sales channels Sandvik employs to solidify its footprint in East Africa, with a significant emphasis on Tanzania.

These direct employees are integral to the support structure for Sandvik’s crushing and screening products, she says, adding that the Mwanza facility is expanding its support within Tanzania by recruiting additional personnel, as Sandvik aims to consistently deliver thorough support to customers throughout the product life cycle.

“Our commitment is to partner with our customers continually, enabling them to optimise their operations for increased throughput and efficiencies,” Yatras emphasises, underling the holistic support Sandvik provides.

Sandvik Rock Processing’s South African manufacturing facility, which focuses on manufacturing efficiency and agility, enables it to offer competitive production lead times for screens and feeders, she says, adding that its geographical positioning in Africa naturally benefits African clients by significantly reducing the duration for the shipping of parts.

Customer-Centric Operations

Sandvik’s significant on-the-ground presence puts it in a unique position in East Africa, and when combined with a long-standing relationship with a major global original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) since 2008, reinforces the company’s position in providing crushing and screening solutions within the Tanzanian mining sector, Zaranyika tells Mining Weekly.

He specifically highlights Sandvik’s project deliveries, including significant solutions such as the mining process plant which includes Sandvik crushers, screens and feeders, which “are pivotal to operations” in the region. Equipment of this type, for example, is scheduled for full commissioning at a gold miner’s operation by midyear.

Further, efficient logistics, with screens manufactured and shipped from South Africa, and crushers shipped from Sweden, ensure reliable deliveries to Tanzania.

The Sandvik Rock Processing facility in Johannesburg, South Africa, which holds ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certifications, stands as one of Sandvik’s global sites capable of producing the entire suite of Sandvik screens, feeders and screening media.

Sandvik Rock Processing’s role as an OEM for crushers, screens, feeders and screening media also facilitates its unique position of offering a full spectrum of solutions. This capability, Yatras says, ensures that customers not only receive robust and innovative equipment, but that customers also benefit from continuous improvement strategies designed to enhance throughput and efficiency.

This offering has been further enriched by the strategic acquisitions of Schenck Process Mining and Kwatani, which has enhanced Sandvik Rock Processing’s product offering and capacity to support customer throughput and efficiency, and enables the company to provide a full solution when it comes to its solutions for screens, feeders and screening media.

Yatras further highlights Sandvik’s digital solutions platform, SAM by Sandvik, emphasising its role in supporting data-driven operational excellence and enhancing productivity in crushing and screening.

She specifically highlights the company’s 800i crusher series, as these come digital-ready; while Sandvik Rock Processing also has the capability to retrofit packages to connect its range of crushers.

This innovation is part of Sandvik Rock Processing’s broader strategy to ensure energy efficient rock processing solutions, which contribute to financial savings, energy efficiency and climate gains over the life cycle of mining operations.

“Our products are designed to perform in challenging environments, contributing to energy saving by rethinking the comminution process,” Yatras concludes, highlighting the company’s dual focus on productivity and sustainability.