Can you introduce Ukwazi and your geographical footprint across Africa?

JL: Ukwazi is a leading African-based specialist mining service provider, focused on leveraging technical and industry insight and expertise to drive commercial success and sector development. Ukwazi is a Zulu word that means “to know”, which aptly describes the nature of our business. Our primary focus spans Southern Africa, Central Africa, and Eastern Africa. Our multidisciplinary services, rooted in a robust mining background, specialize in various mining methods ranging from underground mining and open-cast operations using draglines to extensive underground mining. We are well-versed in internationally applied methods, including underground massive mining and caving methods. 

SE: One of our core strengths lies in the versatility to work across different commodities and mining methods. With our integrated project management and project controls team, this means we are a one-stop shop for our clients.

Are there specific commodities currently driving growth for Ukwazi? 

JL: Over the past year, there has been a notable uptick in uranium projects advancing from early development to higher stages. We have recently secured feasibility studies for several significant gold and uranium mines worldwide. In our experience, the technical project development requirements for commodities such as PGM, bulk minerals, and materials such as coal, chrome, manganese, and iron ore are mostly focused on mine life extension and improvement projects.

How does Ukwazi emphasize the importance of sustainable mining?

JL: Sustainable mining is integral to our operations, not only as a moral imperative but also due to ESG guidelines in South Africa and worldwide. Compliance with these regulations is imperative when declaring mineral (or ore) reserves and conducting mine studies and valuations. This information is systematically incorporated into the bankable documentation we prepare for our clients, ensuring transparency and adherence to industry standards and international reporting codes. 

SE: Our commitment to sustainable mining extends beyond a mere checkbox approach. We adopt an integrated approach, involving collaboration between our mining, ESG, and engineering teams. This collaborative effort ensures that our mines are designed with a holistic perspective, considering not only economic feasibility but also the intricate interplay of environmental and social factors. We see ourselves as sustainable mining solution architects.

How do you assess the current challenges and opportunities for mining firms in South Africa?

SE: South Africa possesses a unique geological heritage, offering a diverse range of commodities and ensuring substantial mining potential. Despite these advantages, the industry faces challenges in logistics and supply chain management, particularly with state-owned logistics company Transnet and road freight. The industry's pragmatic approach involves finding alternative export routes, considering options like Maputo, and even Walvis Bay.

JL: Mines operating in South Africa recognize the existence of factors beyond their control, such as significant cost increases and fluctuations in commodity prices, particularly in metals and bulk materials. In response, we have introduced an audience-driven planning process to significantly enhance the usefulness of mining plans because they are prepared with the intended audience in mind. This means mining budget plans must extend beyond pure spatial guidance and be more pragmatic. This increases operational effectiveness and reduces some of the frustrations that operational teams encounter on a day-to-day basis. 

How does Ukwazi plan to sustain growth ahead of its 20th-anniversary milestone in 2024?

JL: Our growth priorities for our company’s 20th anniversary in 2024 revolve around expanding our strong footprint in southern Africa and other parts of the continent. We aim to evolve into an exporter of expert services, not limited to Africa but extending to more time zones. This strategic move is driven by the need for project execution efficiency and flexibility across various regions. Working in time-friendly zones enhances our ability to deliver better results without compromising on the challenges posed by different time zones. Emphasizing our core in early-stage mining within the project development phase sets us apart. Our bottom-up design process, a consequence of our technical focus, and organizational design into superteams contrasts with traditional consulting companies that tend to adopt a top-down approach to the mining value chain.

SE: Reflecting on our 20-year journey, we take pride in our resilience and success. Looking ahead, the focus on operating in time-friendly zones becomes crucial, recognizing the importance of effective project execution. Despite the challenges of coordinating across different time zones, it aligns with our commitment to delivering high-quality services.