Can you provide an overview of Mincon’s presence and range of services in West Africa?

Mincon has been in business for over 40 years and expanded its operations to West Africa by incorporating a company in Senegal in 2010. This move aimed to bring our products closer to the market in the region. While we have customers across Africa, our focus is on Francophone West African countries.

Having a physical presence in West Africa has allowed us to establish closer relationships with our customers. We maintain offshore stock for efficient inventory transport, but we have employees based in West Africa who work closely with customers. They provide training and technical support to help optimize their projects and ensure continued improvement.

Could you give us an overview of Mincon’s core portfolio?

Our main portfolio consists of Down-the-Hole (DTH) products, including hammers and drill bits. We specialize in providing DTH products for mining and construction-related rock drilling, covering everything from the rotary head on the drill to the drill bit. Additionally, we supply horizontal drilling equipment, although it is not widely used in Africa compared to other parts of the world.

What are the areas of greatest opportunity for Mincon in West Africa?

There is a growing demand for Mincon’s quality products and services in West Africa. The region is generally considered a low-cost mining environment, albeit with perceived higher risks compared to other parts of the world. However, there is currently significant exploration activity taking place in the region. The most attractive countries for Mincon in West Africa include Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Guinea. Mauritania is also experiencing improvements in gold mining.

Senegal, in particular, has witnessed substantial exploration activity in the past 15 years, and many of these projects are now becoming profitable due to the positive market conditions. Strong exploration projects with proven resources, such as Randgold and Iamgold, contribute to the attractiveness of the region.

Considering the lower cost of the market, is quality always the first consideration, and to what extent is cost an important factor?

In the region, high-quality products are generally preferred. While the importance of quality may have slightly decreased during economic downturns in favor of lower-cost options, it has remained a significant factor overall. Mincon has always prioritized quality and consistently delivers products of the highest standard to clients. We enter into supply agreements where pricing is determined based on specific parameters, and we provide the necessary support for customers to achieve their goals.

While cost is a consideration, our customers typically recognize that higher quality leads to increased longevity and efficiency, resulting in overall cost savings. Although the initial capital expenditure (CAPEX) investment may be higher, the cost per meter is lower in the long run.

Mine locations in West Africa are often remote, and logistics can be challenging. Is the infrastructure developing in the region?

Logistics and supply chain infrastructure continue to present challenges in the region. That is why we decided to keep our inventory in Europe, as we were unable to achieve the desired level of efficiency in transporting products from our stocking location to customers. However, our efficiencies have almost doubled since then.

In what ways does Mincon address the growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness?

The mining industry in West Africa has had a significant impact on the environment, prompting companies to take measures to reduce their operations’ ecological footprint. Mincon is actively working towards manufacturing environmentally friendly tools. We are exploring long-term projects for the proper recycling of discarded rock drilling tools and other devices.

Furthermore, we are involved in an international project known as the Green Hammer, which is currently being tested in Australia. This DTH hammer aims to revolutionize the industry by enabling the use of smaller machines with lower emissions, reducing pollution, and achieving the same results at a lower cost due to increased efficiency. Additionally, Mincon’s engineers continuously work on improving the efficiency and longevity of our tools, reducing the environmental impact while providing cost savings to our customers.

What are the next steps in developing Mincon’s market presence in West Africa?

We are reassessing the market to ensure our products are appropriately positioned. We are actively seeking potential distributors and will establish agreements with those who meet our high standards. As for establishing subsidiaries in other parts of West Africa, we will make that decision based on customer requirements in the future. Our vision is to become the preferred supplier for major mines in the region, and we have achieved our goals thus far.