Logistics operators are hoping for a rebound in the second quarter of this year, with mining productivity still low due to the ongoing energy crisis as well as transport and logistics inefficiencies.According to Howie Frylinck, national sales manager at Pentagon Freight Services South Africa, mining remains a sector of opportunity, but with the host of challenges experienced in recent months, activity has been on the lower end of the scale.“We haven’t seen any significant increase in the mining sector as yet. This could be due to the energy crisis and transport challenges. We have, however, seen an increase in enquiries for shipping of commodities and project cargo by charter vessel.”Frylinck said prospects for mining were looking good in several African jurisdictions, including Angola, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.“Our initiative is to drive relationships within industry verticals such as mining through the integration of our already successful forwarding, clearing, projects and chartering divisions,” he said, indicating that it was imperative to have an in-depth understanding of the unique demands of the mining sector and the ability to successfully undertake the most demanding of challenges, often in the most remote locations or difficult environments.“Logistics operators must be able to deal with the challenges of operating in these remote conditions while at the same time putting health, safety and quality control at the top of the agenda. For us, it is safety first. We rate ourselves amongst the top when it comes to QHSE and compliance.”According to Frylinck, the concept of collaboration and partnerships is a growing trend in the mining sector. “We work closely with our clients and strategic partners in order to understand our clients’ needs, not only to deliver but surpass their expectations.”His outlook for the mining sector is cautiously optimistic, he says, indicating that mining will continue to be a major contributor not only to South Africa’s GDP but that of several other countries in Africa.
