Modern Mining June 2024

The main workshop at the FLSmidth Chloorkop Service Centre with a HPGR stripped ready for inspection. from FLSmidth, a reliability engineer with specialised artisan skills is made available to the customer site. The key value is the highly specialised training and experience that this engineer has in the mine’s spe cific equipment. The expertise in the field service team also allows customers to be supported with a full package of installa tion, commissioning and maintenance (ICM) of their assets. “This could apply to a plant upgrade, where the mine is looking for a ‘plug and play’ solution for a new crusher or mill in an existing plant,” says Wesselman. “It could also be provided to an EPCM contractor who is looking for support from installation through to cold and hot commissioning – and even maintenance.” He highlights that a team of over 80 technicians are strategically located to deliver these services in South Africa’s mining regions and to meet service level agreements with customers. Crews in Mpumalanga, for instance, support the mining and energy sectors, while

On the job mentorship in a production environment at FLSmidth’s Chloorkop Service Centre. other service crews support customers in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. McCormick points out that these services are available for the range of legacy equipment including Thyssenkrupp Mining’s mineral processing equipment such as HPGRs, crushers and apron feeders. Skills development Another vital component of the Chloorkop facility is the Training Academy, which ful fils key strategic objectives for FLSmidth, explains its head, Steve Parkinson. “The Training Academy is an important contributor to our overall succession plan ning within the facility and the business more generally,” says Parkinson. “It also upskills new recruits to the levels of com petency that we require to operate our various facilities in South Africa, which rep resent a significant investment and vote of confidence in the future of the country.” Around 10 apprentices are enrolled every year at the academy, and they spend

A miniature HPGR used for specialised training at the FLSmidth Chloorkop Service Centre. three years in formalised training towards their qualification and future role as an arti san. FLSmidth employs as many as it can accommodate within its resource planning and budgeting; the company also goes the extra mile in trying to find placements for the others, among its customers or the broader industry. “In this way, we develop our own spe cialised in-house expertise while creating a skills pipeline that supports the local econ omy and builds a stronger base for the manufacturing, mining and other sectors,” he explains. “This is part of our commit ment to the growth of mining and industry in Africa.” Among its other training programmes is technical product training for customers’ employees – from a general introduction to specific products right through to opera tions and maintenance. This is conducted through three levels of training: Level 1 is general knowledge; Level 2 is basic opera tions and preventative maintenance; and Level 3 is specialised maintenance. 

feature

June 2024  MODERN MINING  25