African Mining January 2022 | Page 7

AFRICAN BUZZ •

Extensive research and planning goes into finding , licencing , and establishing a quarry with suitable geology and mineralogy .

Glenn Johnson , general manager construction materials operation aggregates at AfriSam , highlights that ongoing planning and investment ensures that the company ’ s quarry reserves are in place for future sustainability .

“ There can be no quality aggregate supplied if there are not well-planned and compliant quarries to mine ,” says Johnson . “ We have therefore invested extensively in finding , licencing , and establishing quarries with suitable geology and mineralogy ; of course , these must also be close to markets – hence our wide national footprint .”

Based on these facilities , AfriSam ’ s range of offerings ensures that it can provide consulting engineers and contractors with every project requirement . According to AfriSam regional sales manager Shaughn Smit , this also means meeting the stringent demands of Committee of Transport Officials ( COTO ) and South African National Standards ( SANS ) specifications . reduce the considerable reputational risk that project delays or challenges can cause .”

Dawneerangen says AfriSam ’ s depth of expertise and experience has made it a valuable partner to the consulting engineering sector , as it shares its knowledge and insights on the application of aggregate .

“ Especially with large and complex projects , our specialists are able to provide insights to assist project design at an early stage ,” he says . “ Where aggregates are specified for a project but are not available in the area , we can even step in to produce custom aggregates that suit customer needs .” •

“ By applying the ISO 9001-2015 standards framework internally , and by applying our various quality systems at all our operations , we give customers peace of mind in terms of compliance and best practice ,” says Smit . “ We can provide this regardless of whether the aggregate application is in road building , readymix , concrete product manufacturing or asphalt production .”

This avoids the many risks that accompany the use of cheap , sub-standard aggregate , including its impact on the longevity and safety of structures , and the added maintenance and repairs required when structures fail prematurely .

“ Our focus on quality is cost effective as it ensures value for money over time ,” he says . “ It also means that contractors and their clients

Standards highlight the need for quality in all aspects of the value chain , and aggregate is a fundamental ingredient in the chain .