product news
58
07.13
In a major development that will see the Af-
rican introduction of a broad range of quality
magnetic separation products at a competi-
tive price, equipment supplier Multotec has
entered into a technology and supply part-
nership agreement with Longi (pronounced
‘Long-Ji’) Magnet Company Co Ltd in China.
Longi is the second largest – and reportedly
the fastest growing – magnetic equipment
supplier in the world. The agreement will see
the full range of Longi magnetic separators
Dosing and transfer pump company Eco-
chem Pumps has signed an agreement that
will see the company’s products and services
being sold and supported in Zambia through
newly registered company Aqua Africa.
An investment licence is being finalised
with the Zambian Government, after which
stock will be transferred to Aqua Africa’s
base in Kitwe, Zambia’s second largest city
and the Copperbelt’s commercial hub.
Co-shareholder with Ecochem Pumps
in the Zambian venture is Aqua 24, an es-
tablished South African company supply-
ing borehole pumps, motors and equipment
to mining and agriculture, and submersible
pumps into water and wastewater applica-
tions. The two companies have a history of
co-operation dating back several years.
Aqua Africa’s main target markets will be
Copperbelt mines in Zambia and the DRC.
Gold and emerald mines, and the growing
agricultural market, will also be pursued.
Alf Jacobsen, MD of Aqua Africa, explained
the driving force behind the decision to open
in Zambia. “Zambia has for some years
ranked among the fastest growing econo-
mies in Africa,” he said. “There are major ex-
pansions taking place in the mining and agri-
cultural sectors, making it an attractive place
to open a business. Zambia also provides a
springboard into surrounding territories.”
Prior to the establishment of Aqua Africa,
Ecochem Pumps made use of agents to
Set Point Laboratories has been an ISO-ac-
credited laboratory for minerals and water
for more than eight years. That accreditation
scope has recently been further extended to
include the company’s new coal laboratory
in Limpopo Province, which has successfully
passed its SANAS audit and acquired ISO
17025 status.
Set Point Laboratories, a division of Set
Point Industrial Technology, is an ISO 17025
accredited mineral, water and coal analytical
facility, and has the expertise to set up, oper-
ate and manage on-site laboratories.
Commenting on the coal accreditation,
Kevin Gerber, MD of Set Point Laboratories,
said, “This accreditation speaks of Set Point
Laboratories’ dedication to customers and
positions us well to provide quality analysis
for coal, as we have done in our mineral and
water laboratories. We strive to consistently
exceed customer expectations in the areas
of top quality service, quick turnaround and
superior customer relations.”
Set Point Laboratories’ coal speciality
laboratory is located in Mokopane, Limpo-
po with drop off depots at Francistown and
Maun in Botswana.
Set Point Laboratories,
website:
e-mail:
Multotec and Longi seal partnership agreement
entering the African market under the new
Multotec-Longi brand.
“Through this technology and supply
partnership we’re now able to bring Longi
technologies, which have successfully chal-
lenged the significant Asian market over the
last couple of years, into the African market,”
says Ernst Maritz, Multotec GM: Solid/Liquid
and Magnetic Separation.
“For some time Multotec had been seeking
a technology partner of international stature
and its synergies with Longi made for an excel-
lent fit. Longi brings the technology base to the
table, while Multotec brings its depth of local
process and applications knowledge, as well
as a local equipment manufacturer footprint
and support base. Longi has been supplying
magnetic separation equipment for more than
two decades and its international product
range is also a good fit for our export markets.
“In turn, Longi recognised the extensive
commercial value of partnering with Multotec,
a well-established and respected South Afri-
can-based company with extensive African
and international footprints,” he continues.
“Longi will benefit from our recent advances
in magnetic equipment, our multiple product
process knowledge, our market footprint and
our local support for the imported equipment
through our branches and offices.”
All previously supplied Multotec products
Pictured at the official signing of the Multotec
Longi partnership are (from left) Zhaopeng Li,
Board Director/Chief Engineer/Vice GM of Lon-
gi Magnet Co, and Thomas Holtz, CEO of the
Multotec Group.
will continue to be supported through servic-
ing, repairs and spares. Through the agree-
ment, technological advances in low and
medium intensity permanent magnet equip-
ment will become available locally, including
higher force indices of magnetic equipment,
employment of rare earth magnets in Wet
Low Intensity Magnetic Separators (WLIMS)
and duty designed circuits with varying drum
intensities to allow engineered cost savings.
Advances in electromagnetic based sepa-
ration equipment will promote a full range
of Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separators
(WHIMS) able to process material with ca-
pacities of up to 150 t/h through a single ma-
chine. Purpose-engineered electromagnetic
overbelt equipment (air and oil cooled) will
also facilitate cost savings through efficient
designs for specific applications.
Although there will be some local assem-
bly and testing, Multotec will primarily import
complete manufactured units from Longi.
Prior to the signing of the agreement,
teams of Multotec engineers went to China
to assess Longi’s manufacturing facility and
products and were able to verify that these
products will be manufactured under strin-
gent quality control systems according to
Multotec specifications.
Bernadette Wilson, Multotec Group,
tel (+27 11) 923-6193
Ecochem and Aqua 24 in Zambian venture
channel its products into Zambia.
“Customers will buy product from what
is to all intents and purposes an Ecochem
branch, with the added advantage of receiv-
ing on-site service from qualified personnel,”
Jacobsen said.
Aqua Africa will stock a wide range of prod-
ucts. From the Ecochem stable will come
Milton Roy dosing pumps and accessories,
dosing instrumentation and mixers and agita-
tors, and Ecochem slurry pumps and spares.
Although not stocked, the company will also
make available the Soméflu plastic and stain-
less steel chemical transfer pump ranges,
and JMI submersible axial‑flow pumps.
From Aqua 24 will come Vansan submers-
ible borehole pumps and motors, and Vansan
vertical turbine pumps. Electric motors of the
Regal (CMG) brand and a full range of sub-
mersible dewatering pumps in various volt-
ages will also be stocked.
The Kitwe facility incorporates a substan-
tially equipped service centre and warehouse
space to ensure sufficient stock holdings.
A test bay currently under construction will
soon provide customers with test certificates
for guaranteed repairs. There are plans to in-
corporate a full rewind facility for electric mo-
tor repairs later in 2013.
Ecochem Pumps, tel (+27 11) 455-5710
Set Point coal laboratory accredited
