COUNTRY IN FOCUS
COUNTRY IN FOCUS
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is under pressure to kickstart the
Zimbabwean economy.
under concerted maintenance. “Of real concern though, are the rail and
power supply,” he says.
Supplier woes
According to Cameron Mackenzie, who works for Manganese Crushtech
Systems, a company based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, the current situation is
very concerning. “The multi-currency system worked well, but now, with its
removal, we are faced with challenges when making foreign payments and
to ensure we have adequate cover. Moreover, Mackenzie says that support
and sourcing additional spares have now become a big challenge.
Mackenzie has worked for the likes of Samuel Osborn Engineering,
Svedala, Metso and Nimr and Chapman, and offers technical support and
spares support for the past four and a half years for Manganese Crushtech
Systems. The company offers full spares support to all major equipment
brands in Zimbabwe, including Telsmith, Nordberg and Sandvik.
“Pricing and availability of essential spares are now a big problem
for the producers. Spares supply from specific suppliers that we have
relationships and accounts with have been compromised, and there is no
certainty regarding payments and continued business,” says Mackenzie.
Operating in Zimbabwe has become extremely constrained and Mackenzie
expects short term production losses will be encountered. “Only those
operations that are able to access alternative foreign currency account
(FCA) funds will be able to maintain productivity. Relationships with
external suppliers have to be the only way forward, while the local supplier
who has worked to ensure they remain competitive, will have to reconsider
what to do. The questions are: do we engage with foreign suppliers
to ensure that we have product for sale? How are we going to ensure
payments are guaranteed?
The rail network in Zimbabwe has deteriorated over the past few years and
requires urgent upgrades.
www. africanmining.co.za
African Mining September
2019 Publication
27
African Mining
African Mining
African Mining September 2019
27