Johannesburg – South Africa – June 2011 - In a bid to promote and maintain its standard as part of a world-class company, PT AEL Indonesia, part of the international AEL Mining Services group, is involved in continuous improvement initiatives, including the recently established ‘Centre of Excellence’ on its KPC site. 

“This facility is the first of its kind in the region,” says Sandri van Heerden, Bulk Technology manager of AEL Indonesia. “The ‘Centre of Excellence’ is a containerised laboratory in which various product qualification, development and quality control testing can be conducted. The need for such a facility was necessitated by AEL’s Head Office and Research Laboratories being based in Johannesburg, South Africa. This initiative is fully supported by KPC, who will enjoy direct benefits from such a facility”.

The ‘Centre of Excellence’ is strategically located within the ‘Bulk Emulsion Plant’ boundaries, allowing for development work to be done effectively and efficiently. “In line with our quality standards and the need for quick turn-around times to our customers, this facility will enable product qualification to be conducted on-site, lessening many of the constraints often encountered with off-site R&D facilities,” comments van Heerden.

The mining industry is faced with challenges relating to skilled and trained personnel. AEL and KPC have identified the opportunity to also utilise this facility as a training and knowledge sharing centre, where AEL personnel, as well as relevant customer information sharing is carried out.

“This is an initiative that will enhance our offerings to our South East Asia market, with the assistance from the R&D team based in South Africa. We anticipate that there will be a better response time in terms of product development, as everything will be done on-site and supported by our head-office. Through this centre, explosive products manufactured onsite on a daily basis will remain of the highest quality standard, as AEL prides itself in offering the best in the market cost effectively,” adds Colin Wilson, AEL’s International Business director.

Currently the “Centre of Excellence” is managed by Noorsaidah (Esa), who is employed as the Laboratory Technician and is responsible for the day-to-day quality testing of raw-materials and final products manufactured on site. 

Issued on behalf of AEL Mining Services Limited
For more information, please contact Vuyiswa Majova
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