From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

Original-equipment manufacturer JA Engineering has showcased the latest in its range of underground mining equipment, the JAE38 Wildcub, which is a low-to mid-seam continuous mining machine used in the coal industry. Marleny Arnoldi attended the showcase.

Marleny Arnoldi:

The radio remote-controlled JAE38 Wildcub uses its weight to convert high cutting power into production, incorporating some of the design philosophies and principles of its predecessor, the JAE42 Wildcat.

The machine has been designed for use in typical hard cutting room and pillar coal mining where a high cutting force is required, however, it can be modified for softer rock applications.

JA Engineering CEO Matimba Mahange tells us that the majority of components of the Wildcat, including the steel and gears, are made locally, but some high-tech components such as electronics are imported.

He unpacks the maintenance and field service offering of the machine.

JA Engineering CEO Matimba Mahange...

Marleny Arnoldi:

Among the first customers of the new machine is the Forzando North coal mine of Overlooked Colliery, in Mpumalanga, as well as a mining company in India.

Mahange sees potential for more orders coming from India and Australia, as these are among the world’s strongest growing coal mining markets.

In fact, JA Engineering’s factory in Anderbolt is already equipped and versed to manufacturing according to the conditions and specifications of these markets, which vary from the conditions and specifications of South Africa.

Mahange explains the difference between the machines going into these markets.

JA Engineering CEO Matimba Mahange...

Marleny Arnoldi:

JA Engineering moved from a 5 000 m2 premises in Jet Park to a 20 000 m2 premises in Anderbolt in December last year, to allow for more room for research and development of surface mining equipment and expanded production capacity of existing equipment.

The R15-million investment into the new facility over and above the acquisition cost involved gear manufacturing equipment, cranes and CNC machines.

The company is working to grow its market share in Southern Africa, India and Australia, as well as its surface mining equipment portfolio not just for coal but other commodities as well. Mahange elaborates. 

JA Engineering CEO Matimba Mahange...

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.