Let’s start with some background on SMT. You have a proud history.
I have been part of SMT for the past 10 years and am extremely proud to have played a role in the company’s growth over those years. We started with a presence in five countries in Africa and we are now established in 30 countries on three continents with over 2000 employees.
Where in Africa are you active and where are you looking to for growth?
We are active in Western and Central Africa. We are currently solidifying our network by developing and offering value added solutions to support our mining customers and ensure they meet their production target efficiently with the least downtime possible.
We are also expanding into countries with growing mining opportunities, such as Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Liberia and Ghana.
More recently, we opened a subsidiary in Mauritania in order to support a mining customer there that recently acquired heavy mining rigid trucks.
How important is the Nigerian market for your organisation?
Nigeria has always been a priority for us. It was one of the first countries we started in in 2009. It is an important market. We are currently mainly focused on infrastructure development contractors and quarries. Some of our quarry customers use the largest equipment Volvo produces, excavators of 75 and 95 tonnes and articulated haulers capable of carrying 60 tonnes.
Although mineral mining in Nigeria is still a high potential industry, we are closely monitoring it.
How excited are you about the burgeoning mining sector in Nigeria and what does this mean for your business there?
We are highly anticipating the development and expansion of this economic sector that is using a wide variety of equipment that we promote and represent. Nigeria has underground minerals that are explored by international companies.
Lithium, for instance, is indispensable to the production of batteries that are an integral part of Europe and America’s environmental objectives. However, in order to properly exploit these resources, Nigeria needs a solid supply chain of investment.
SMT Africa can meet the need of the mining sector with premium brands and premium support during their greenfield and extraction phase.
Which mining sector are you involved in as a supplier in Nigeria?
We have recently supplied a fleet of equipment for the development of an iron ore mine and we will continue to work with them in order to make sure their machines are operational, their operators are qualified and that they meet their production goals.
SMT has been a longstanding partner of Nigeria Mining Week. How important is this annual gathering of the mining industry?
It’s important for SMT to meet the new industrial players coming into Nigeria in this emerging market and to understand the trends regarding the types of minerals being explored in different parts of the country.
We also want to ensure that mining players are aware of the premium support and the expertise we offer them to ensure high productivity and lowest downtime and cost.
What will be your message at the event this year?
SMT can provide value added services and support to the mining industries through our expertise and premium products.
https://www.smt.network/africa/en/news/nigeria-mining-week/
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