Zambian substantial African contract wrapped up

Marthinusen & Coutts recently completed installing four mill motors at an undisclosed copper mine in north-west Zambia. The massive electric motors, with diameters of 40 and 28 foot and with each stator quadrant weighing about 100t, are the largest the company has installed to date and probably the biggest in Africa.

Marthinusen & Coutts’ scope of work comprised installing stator quadrant windings on the four mill motors, which were manufactured by Siemens. The four motors are gearless mill drives and include two 26 MW ball mill motors and two 28 MW semi-autogenous grinding mill motors.  Among the challenges here were the remoteness of the mine, about 400km north-east of Kitwe, and working in a heavy rainy season while also trying to meet an incredibly tight deadline.

Logistics eased in Zambian Copperbelt

Logistics and supply chain group Imperial Logistics has extended its African presence into northern Zambia, by establishing a transport depot in Ndola, in the Copperbelt Province. The new Zambian registered business forms part of group company Snyman Transport, and will operate as Snyman Transport Zambia.

Dougie Truter, chief executive officer of Imperial Logistics’ Africa division, says the new venture will enhance the group’s ability to provide transport and logistics services to the mining firms operating in the region, while creating employment opportunities for locals.

The new depot represents Imperial Logistics’ first undertaking in the Zambian Copperbelt Province, which encompasses the towns of Kitwe, Chingola and Ndola.