Inspections group set to establish presence in Beira

Global Inspections Group (GIG) is in the process of establishing a full-time presence in Beira, Mozambique to cater for the growing metals and minerals sector. “It makes sense to have an office in Beira where we can be on hand full-time to service this growing market,” said Shaun Janse Van Rensburg, who is responsible for the company’s metals and minerals portfolio. “GIG is heavily involved, whether it’s in inspections or acting as a technical adviser to the metals and minerals sector,” he said. “The Tete province is also a region that has not only grown, but where we expect to see further expansion.” According to Janse Van Rensburg, the company is also planning to establish a footprint in Asia in 2013 to further enhance its global footprint. “Geographically, the Asia- Pacific region is witnessing higher production and consumption of metals, especially China and India. Their per capita consumption levels are graduating to that of US and European levels which could, theoretically at least, double metal demand in the longer term. Africa has become a major source of these mineral and metal commodities for the Asian market and this has necessitated the expansion into Asia.” But, with most of Africa’s minerals presently exported as ores, concentrates or primary metals, there is not enough significant downstream processing to add value to the local markets, he said. “There is thus a large potential to increase revenues and employment through mineral beneficiation on the African continent and GIG will be present to assist clients with this process where necessary.” INSERT ‘There is not enough significant downstream processing to add value to the local markets.’