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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cWe understand the pressure in the mining sector for increased operational uptime, safety and productivity,\u201d says Michael Okunola, Service Manager for Sandvik Rock Processing West Africa. \u201cAs supply partners to the industry, this can only be achieved through our continued investment in human and material resources on the ground – close to customers for rapid response.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On-site support<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the company\u2019s suite of support services, Okunola highlights the various levels of its on-site engineering support programme. Customers can select from a range of offerings, including having Sandvik Rock Processing engineers on the mine for 365 days a year. Depending on how remote the mine\u2019s location is, the management may prefer an engineer to visit the site on a monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or annual basis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur services are completely tailored to customers\u2019 needs,\u201d he emphasises, \u201cbut the primary focus is generally the same: to closely monitor the condition and operation of equipment on site and to ensure proactive maintenance and to optimise its performance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explains that the company\u2019s local service technicians are the first responders to customers\u2019 needs providing on-site diagnostics and trouble-shooting, along with emergency work and routine maintenance. Sandvik Rock Processing also has after-market engineers who can commission equipment, and conduct visits in line with customer preferences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parts availability<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Effective maintenance means having the necessary parts available when they are required, he points out. Sandvik Rock Processing therefore offers its support in helping mines with customised inventory management. Under a parts management agreement, the company\u2019s team even visit mines to assess which inventory items have been used and which need replenishment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder our vendor-managed inventory (VMI) system, for instance, we monitor stock levels on behalf of the customer and ensure timely replenishment,\u201d he explains. \u201cWe try as far as possible to help the customer to avoid running out of parts, which can lead to delays and downtime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This may require moving critical spares onto customer sites as consignment stock, so they can be stored for immediate access. Okunola highlights that Sandvik\u2019s SAM digital service plays a valuable role in facilitating operational excellence in the region\u2019s crushing and screening plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur SAM platform helps our technical personnel – and even the customer – to monitor the consumption of parts and facilitate procurement,\u201d he explains. \u201cOur technical team use SAM to track the daily operation of our equipment, analysing data to diagnose issues before they become critical; we can then advise the customer what actions are required to ensure that machines are always running efficiently and at the lowest lifecycle costs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regional presence<\/p>\n\n\n\n Underpinning its commitment to parts availability is Sandvik Rock Processing\u2019s strategically located regional facilities, with a West African hub in Kumasi, Ghana. This includes a warehouse and workshop facility from which the company supports customers throughout the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe also have a facility with a warehouse in Bamako in Mali, and in Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso,\u201d he says. \u201cA recent addition to our footprint in the region is our warehouse in Abidjan in Cote d\u2019Ivoire. Each of these sites has their own team to provide technical support and logistical coordination to customers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The workshop facilities provide refurbishment services for key equipment as well as component rebuilds and routine preventative maintenance. He highlights that the company\u2019s presence in these locations enables rapid response times, reduces lead time on deliveries and generally enhances customers\u2019 operational uptime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Building local capacity<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognising the importance of skilled operators and technicians in West Africa, Sandvik Rock Processing invests heavily in skills development and training initiatives. These can be conducted on site or remotely and include tailored modules based on specific types of equipment as well as technical refresher training to keep customers up to date with the latest technologies and best practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the most important capacity building offerings is operator maintenance training which is most useful when conducted in a real-life practical environment. When customised for specific mines, this training can focus on the actual equipment installed on the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe also run \u2018train-the-trainer\u2019 programmes which empowers supervisors to share knowledge internally,\u201d he says. \u201cTrainees receive certificates of competence, strengthening their career development and enhancing local skills in the process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sandvik Rock Processing also supports apprenticeships as part of its local talent development initiatives. This includes internships and partnerships with technical schools. The company\u2019s e-learning platform further expands its reach, allowing customers to access training on topics such as equipment operation, preventative maintenance and safety procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur local technicians are well-trained, and benefit from continuous upskilling through regular visits to the company\u2019s facilities,\u201d says Okunola. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He concludes that the company\u2019s growth plans in West Africa are a clear signal of its commitment to the market in the region, ensuring that its technical support is close at hand and fully resourced.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" West Africa has long established itself as one of the continent\u2019s most exciting regions for exploration and mining, and Sandvik Rock Processing continues to build on its strong footprint of technical support for its crushing and screening solutions. Notably the company\u2019s product offering includes stationary crushers, screen and feeders, mobile crushers and screens and rockbreakers. … Continue reading SANDVIK ROCK PROCESSING DEEPENS SUPPORT ACROSS WEST AFRICA<\/span> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n