Company Report: EC Mining Limited
The mining equipment experts Based in Zambia, EC Mining Limited (ECM ) is a premier mining company, providing a broad range of advanced technologies. Andrew Kansamba, Sales Director, speaks to Energy Digital to tell us more

EC Mining Limited is a premier mining company based in Zambi

EC Mining Limited specialises in the provision of high quali

The company provides a broad range of advanced technologies

Specialising in the provision of high quality equipment and technical installation services, ECM addresses the demanding needs of Southern Africa’s mining region. Headquartered in the heart of the industrial area in Kitwe, Zambia, EC Mining is strategically positioned with easy access to all the main mining towns on the Copperbelt.

“We also have an office in Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” explains Andrew Kansamba, Sales Director. “There the company is called EC Mining Sprl, which is also involved in mining equipment supplies.” In addition, a further office in London, UK, provides the firm with a truly international reach.

PEOPLE
As a family business, headed by Tom Anderson-Slight, with sons, Iain and Jamie, in directorial roles, ECM contains close business relationships and a unified mentality that is seen throughout fascilitiesthe organisation. In fact, ECM attributes a lot of its success to the initiative and ability of its people, both in management and throughout the workforce.

“The key to our success is the style of management; the principle direction of the founders,” Kansamba attests. “We have an open office policy where employees are empowered to exercise their expertise and implement their ideas in the various activities that they get involved in.”

With such empowerment polices in place, it is perhaps unsurprising that training is also high on the agenda. “We have a training programme for all staff, which is tailored to the equipment we supply,” he says. “And with new technology that comes into the ranges of our principle suppliers, we’re invited for specific training, keeping us abreast of technological advances.”

As well as its staff, ECM’s clients are equally important. To remain at the forefront of the market, the firm has adopted a consumer-centric approach to business in providing not only valuable mining solutions, but additional customer services. With a core team of dedicated personnel providing procurement, marketing and technical services, ECM offers a quality service to all its clients. Furthermore, regular visits by the company’s Sales Engineers ensure that technical problems are addressed as early as possible.

STRENGTHS
Aside from a clear focus on its people, an understanding of the industry and its challenges has also provided ECM with a competitive advantage. “We understand our customers, the operations, production costs, the market situation and how to spot opportunities,” Kansamba confirms. “We’ve been supplying mining companies for close to 20 years, so have the experience, knowledge and capacity to take on bigger projects,” he says.

Kansamba goes on to highlight the quality of ECM’s equipment as an additional strength. “The products we offer are superior,” he says. “David Brown, for example, has been at the forefront of the engineering industry for 150 years. So it is quality matched with service delivery that gives us an edge. We’ve also invested in stock holding; we have a huge warehousing facility and around $2 million worth of equipment in stock.”

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
“In the last two years we have tripled our turnover and have exploited a lot of opportunities. There are many huge prospects to take advantage of over the next couple of years. One of which has a project value of $300 million,” says Kansamba, who explains that if this project is confirmed, the business will “excel to another level”. “Major Congo mines have also requested that we set up workshops, so that interest may see the company double turnover in the next three years,” he adds.

With a fast developing market throughout Zambia and other surrounding countiries, ECM’s challenge going forwards will be to match this demand with its quality products and services. Fortunately, as Kansamba points out, EC Mining knows how to spot an opportunity. “Our immediate plan is to expand our actions here, so we are looking at Sub-Saharan Africa. Then we plan to go to East Africa and are also thinking about Zimbabwe.”

Over its 20-year existence, ECM has built a wealth of knowledge, experience and capabilities by focusing on the needs of customers. And it is this customer-centric approach, driven by an entrepreneurial and ambitious management team, which will see the firm in good stead for many more years to come.

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