Chinese slurry pumps manufacturer Atlas Pump Group opened an office and warehouse facility in Johannesburg, Gauteng, in January, which will cater for the mining and industrial sectors across the African market.

Although Atlas has supplied parts and pumps to companies on the African continent prior to the establishment of its new African facilities, it decided to commit to the African market by establishing local operations, says Atlas Pump Group president Qinglin Xi, noting that the branch received its first stock shipments last month, with more stock to follow.

The group believes that there is an opportunity to provide high-quality parts and pumps for the mining sector in Africa, specifically because Atlas offers competitively priced, robust and reliable pumping solutions.

He states that the group’s intention is to introduce internationally certified slurry pumps into the industrial and mining sectors in Africa, adding that Atlas is an approved supplier to mining companies such as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Codelco, Anglo American, Glencore, Barrick and Vale.

“Atlas has strong supply and reference points globally, supplying several companies in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Chile,” Xi comments.

The new factory will carry a stock of pumps and parts and offer a range of after-sales services, including strong technical support for its African client base. Atlas’s midterm objective is to introduce, support and build the Atlas brand throughout Africa.

Xi notes that Atlas will be the first Chinese pumps original-equipment manufacturer to establish offices and warehouse facilities in South Africa.

He says Atlas’s main focus is to provide a reduction on total cost of ownership in terms of its slurry pumps by ensuring and improving the life of the pump.

Xi adds that Atlas offers extensive and customised options for all slurry pump applications, using a variety of materials, depending on the constraints and requirements of the pumping application. It can also tender on and act as project manager for large pumping projects.

Atlas manufactures and supplies its own metal, rubber and urethane pumps and parts, thereby ensuring a large variety of spare parts, including spares for pumps and hydrocyclones, as well as valves and rubber pipes.

“We are looking forward to working closely with and supporting the mining and industrial industries throughout Africa,” Xi concludes.