HIGH PROFILE
Have companies like Cementation, Redpath,
Barminco and Byrnecut made attempts to enter
the Chinese market?
A There are many competitors in this field in both
China and the world market, but in many ways we
are all learning from each other rather than just
competing. The mining contractor field is narrow
and exchanges of views on mining construction
will be always happening with the help of modern
communication means and this will be much
easier when 5G applies. Foreign counterparts are
welcome to enter into the Chinese market.
Q You are expanding your reach outside China
quickly, especially in Africa. As a company what
key differences have you found operating outside
China versus operating within China?
A The fast growth of our business outside of China
taught us that the combination of the best
methodology and management for mining
construction is a big challenge but is the optimum
solutions, and that sometimes cultural barriers
need to be overcome to avoid misunderstanding.
The different way of thinking follows by the
different method of doing thing, either side might
be right under its culture but might not be correct
to the other. Learning from each other may help
the world mining construction progress more.
Q Do you work closely with Chinese mining
EPCM/EPC companies? Can you give any
examples?
A Very much so; recently in April 2019 we signed a
strategic cooperation agreement with Nerin
(China) Engineering Co Ltd. Established in
October 1957 and through more than 60 years of
development, Nerin (formerly Nanchang
Nonferrous Metallurgical Design Institute) has
grown into a national survey and design complex
integrating mining engineering design,
consultation, exploration, EPC, supervision,
tendering and equipment fabrication. JCHX has a
long-term cooperation with Nerin in terms of
engineering design and R&D. Signing of this new
strategic agreement between Nerin and JCHX
demonstrates the mutual intention of further
cooperation. JCHX Chairman Wang Xiancheng at
the deal announcement showed great confidence
in witnessing a brighter future with win-win
cooperation with Nerin in terms of technological
R&D, equipment manufacturing, particularly in
terms of EPC contracts in overseas operations.
Q You have close relationships with global
companies, notably with Normet through the
Kingnor factory. How is that JV evolving in terms of
joint product development and in terms of
successful sales?
A Our cooperation is very successful with our
products having been generally recognised by
mines and contractors and we have provided our
service car to the Kamoa
mine. As a part of the global
supply chain of Normet,
Kingnor also provides
equipment assembly and
accessories manufacturing
services to Normet. During
the recent CIME event,
Kingnor primarily promoted
its multi-purpose UG vehicle -
Multimec MF100J/SF060J and
MF328PER UG man carrier.
The Multimec series refers to
utility vehicles consisting of
different carriers mounted on
6 t or 10 t chassis: such as 16
seat man carrier, explosive
carrier, concrete mixer tank,
and diesel carrier. The carrier
can be switched within only
two minutes to facilitate
various functions, so
enhancing efficiencies in
underground mining. The
MF328 PER was specifically
designed for transporting
personnel under harsh
circumstances, with a capacity of containing 23
passengers. The design of the MF328 PER offers a
high safety level, easy accessibility and shock
absorption system, thus bringing utmost comfort
for both operator and passengers.
Q What is your attitude to market developments
and trends such as the use of full or partial
automation of underground LHDs and trucks; and
the move to use more battery electric machines
underground? To what extent are you investing in
these new technologies?
A I think there will be a revolution in the mining
construction field in the coming years because
high-tech can help us solve technical problems in
order to prevent many people working in
hazardous locations underground although of
course the investment required is higher than for
traditional operations. JCHX is also investing in
creating a new battery which will used on
underground machines and it won’t be too long
before machines powered by this new battery
technology will be on the market. As I said we are
also one of the ten key global accounts with
Epiroc and Sandvik and as time goes by we will
establish closer relationships with these heavy
machine manufacturers to offer our best service
to the mines including areas such as automation
and electrification.
Q How do you manage service and maintenance
of your equipment fleets both centrally in terms of
component sourcing as well as at the projects in
terms of onsite equipment maintenance?
Inside the Kamoa-Kakula decline
A A very good system has been established
between our equipment providers and us on the
different projects in terms of parts consignment
stores which has always satisfied clients including
Ivanhoe Mines, the mine owner of Kamoa. We
have formed an international maintenance team
to keep our equipment in good working condition.
We also recently completed a state of the art new
maintenance shop for the operations of JCHX in
Zambia. Larger maintenance shops are becoming
necessary to accommodate growing overseas
projects and our expanding business.
Q You have also invested a lot of money in
training centres and CYBERMINE simulators. How
has this allowed your business to grow? Do you
train your own operators as well as the mining
client’s own staff?
A JCHX has put a lot of effort into on-the-job
training for our employees especially for jumbo
operators so we have upgraded our simulators in
order not to limit our utilisation of these
simulation training tools. What I can tell you is our
operator working efficiency is quite productive
and in many cases exceeds that of our mining
client staff. To meet the fast growth in the foreign
mining market, we have also started to train more
captains and shift bosses with better knowledge
of mining plans, job assignments and equipping
them with better language capability. It is a
challenge but JCHX needs to always challenge
itself. IM
AUGUST 2019 | International Mining 57