Amid the mining drill bit market experiencing growth driven by increased mining activities and demand for minerals, price competitiveness remains a key consideration for quarrying, mining and construction supplier Harlen Supplies.

While the company remains capable of aligning its services with all the requirements of the country’s mining industry, sales consultant Dylan Harlen stresses the importance of doing so in a manner that makes commercial sense.

Reflecting on their product portfolio, he notes that the company has a broad variety of specific drilling equipment from their Kenella range that includes taper drill steel bits and forged collar drill steel bits, handheld rock drills, top hammers, rods, couplings and oils.

The company’s forged collar drill steel component is treated with a rigorous industry-specific carburising process that penetrates the steel to a depth of about 1.2 mm, thereby placing great importance on the steel’s wear resistance.

Furthermore, Harlen Supplies’ Kenella drill bits offer a diverse selection of six or seven button bit configurations ranging from 32 mm to 48 mm, that pair well with their Kenella drill steels to ensure optimal performance across various mining applications.

Their handheld pneumatic rock drilling machines incorporate the latest drilling technologies to offer greater cost efficiencies with the aim of setting new standards for handheld drilling equipment.

Driving Down Costs

Harlen Supplies is assessing how best to remain profitable and offer premium solutions to meet clients’ mining requirements, coupled with an understanding that mining companies are constantly under pressure to reduce operational costs, including those associated with drilling equipment.

Fluctuation in the price of raw materials used in the production of mining equipment is another factor that the company considers, as this also has a significant effect on the overall cost competitiveness of Harlen Supplies’ product range.

“The political and economic climate of South Africa has raised meaningful concerns about the adequacy of efforts to advance the development of this country’s mineral exploration potential and also negatively affects the market value of the mine drilling bits sector,” says sales director Dustin Harlen.

Mining drill bits are a fundamental component for drilling blast holes and in lateral shaft or working face development, as both are integral components in opencast and in underground mining operations.

While pricing remains a key consideration in maintaining competitiveness, mining companies are also prioritising the quality and reliability of mining drilling equipment to ensure operational efficiency and safety.

In this regard, he says wear protection solutions are crucial for extending the life of equipment used in the mining industry.

This consideration has encouraged the company to invest a large portion of its financial resources towards research and development, and particularly to ensure that their mining drilling products and other mining equipment are manufactured using durable materials.

Harlen highlights that building strong relationships with mining companies usually leads to better pricing and innovative solutions from a drill product and related equipment perspective.

A more embedded relationship with mining companies in South Africa could also provide mining equipment suppliers with a sharper and more detailed understanding of data and forecasting as mining companies are increasingly using these mechanisms to optimise their buying strategies and manage inventory effectively.

Harlen also notes that some mining companies are exploring alternative suppliers to reduce their dependence on a single source and this competition can also help in managing prices.

The company remains well positioned to capitalise on the latest developments taking place within the mining supply industry and aims to continue positioning itself as a reliable, cost-efficient supplier of drill bits and drill steel to large and small mining companies.