NEWS ARTICLES

DGC AFRICA, a proud member of the Dickinson Group of Companies, continues to be at the forefront of driving industrial growth across sub-Saharan Africa. As the demand for sustainable, efficient, and innovative industrial services accelerates, DGC AFRICA remains a trusted provider, delivering a comprehensive range of specialised solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of the mining, metallurgy, mineral processing, and manufacturing sectors.   With offices strategically positioned in South Africa, Mauritius, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar, DGC AFRICA leverages its extensive experience and technical expertise to deliver solutions that ensure optimal performance and efficiency. The company’s portfolio of services is tailored to each client’s operational challenges, offering bespoke solutions that align with their industrial requirements.   At the heart of DGC AFRICA’s service offerings are its furnace and smelter services, which play a critical role in maintaining the operational integrity of key assets across various industries. These services include complex furnace rebuilds, detailed inspections, and specialised refractory installations, all aimed at enhancing productivity, reducing downtime, and ensuring safety. By integrating advanced technology with decades of industry knowledge, DGC Africa helps its clients navigate and overcome the operational challenges posed by harsh industrial environments.   Additionally, DGC AFRICA delivers a broad range of other industrial services, such as industrial linings and mechanical engineering. These services enable companies to protect their assets, streamline operations, and maintain high safety standards, contributing to long-term sustainability and operational excellence. EMPOWERING AFRICA'S WORKFORCE: DGC WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS AND LOCAL COLLABORATION   An essential part of DGC AFRICA's long-term strategy is its commitment to empowering local communities and developing the continent’s workforce. This commitment is exemplified through DGC Workforce Solutions, a pivotal division of DGC Africa that focuses on addressing the complex and evolving workforce needs of African industries.   With a legacy rooted in over a century of industrial service provision, DGC Workforce Solutions offers a comprehensive range of services that include specialised recruitment, flexible labour hire models, workforce management, and consulting services. By bridging critical skills gaps, fostering local talent, and ensuring regulatory compliance, DGC Workforce Solutions plays a significant role in driving Africa’s industrial development.   A key initiative in this regard is the collaboration with Browhil Trading in Zimbabwe. As DGC AFRICA continues to expand its footprint in Zimbabwe, DGC Workforce Solutions will partner with Browhil Trading to provide tailored workforce solutions that meet the demands of Zimbabwe’s growing industrial sectors. This collaboration aims to offer artisanal training, skilled labour provision, and workforce compliance services, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s industries have access to a highly skilled, adaptable, and compliant workforce.   In Zimbabwe, DGCA Zimbabwe, a joint venture between DGC AFRICA and Browhil Trading, already delivers essential services to the mining and metals smelting sectors. The venture provides crucial services, including furnace rebuilds, mechanical engineering projects, and refractory installation, all while fostering community development by training and employing local talent. This partnership exemplifies DGC AFRICA’s broader strategy of combining global standards with local expertise to boost local employment, enhance industrial capabilities, and contribute to the socio-economic growth of Zimbabwe. A VISION FOR AFRICA’S INDUSTRIAL FUTURE   As DGC AFRICA continues to expand its reach across the continent, its focus remains firmly on innovation, sustainability, and community empowerment. The company’s dedication to delivering world-class industrial services, combined with its commitment to local workforce development, positions DGC AFRICA as a key player in Africa’s industrial evolution. Whether through furnace and smelter services, mechanical engineering, or the strategic workforce solutions provided by DGC Workforce Solutions, the company remains a trusted partner for businesses seeking to enhance their operational efficiency while contributing to local development. DGC AFRICA’s ability to merge technical expertise with deep local insights ensures that its clients are well-equipped to meet today’s industrial challenges and take advantage of the opportunities of tomorrow.   As DGC AFRICA strengthens its presence in countries like Zimbabwe and beyond, the company continues to deliver critical industrial solutions that are driving the future of Africa’s industrial landscape. Published 15 October 2024, Mining Zimbabwe https://miningzimbabwe.com/powering-africas-future-through-comprehensive-industrial-solutions/ Contributors:  Justin Nothnagel (Director Business Development, Dickinson Group of Companies)  Douglas Mhazo (Managing Director, DGC Zimbabwe) ABOUT OUR COMPANY, HISTORY, AND PARTNERS Dickinson Group of Companies (DGC) was founded in 1910. For comprehensive information about Our Company – History, Vision & Values, Strategy, Global Alliances, Africa Footprint, Commitment to Safety, Anti-Corruption Policy, References, and Industrial Solutions, please visit our website.

GROWING WORKPLACE CAPABILITIES: Dickinson Group of Companies Africa has developed a robust strategy to leverage its partnerships with mineral processing companies to significantly enhance its engineering capabilities for the mining sector in Southern Africa. EXPANSION IMPERATIVE: Strategic partnerships are key to significantly enhancing DGC AFRICA's engineering capabilities Having anticipated the future demands of the mining sector, global refractory and industrial solutions company the Dickinson Group of Companies (DGC) AFRICA’s key strategic objectives are aimed at developing lasting solutions for more sustainable mining practices and integrating advanced technologies. The company’s focus is on creating an uncontested market space by identifying and addressing unmet needs in the mining sector while breaking the value–cost tradeoff with clients. Other requirements include an emphasis on value innovation over competitive benchmarking. “At DGC, we’re expanding beyond our traditional industrial furnace clientele,” states DGC AFRICA's chairperson, Trevor Dickinson. “We’re looking upstream to mining customers, where our industrial linings, weld overlay, and wear protection solutions are crucial. This approach redefines industry boundaries, moving us from refractory specialists to comprehensive asset integrity management providers.” He says the company is now reaching previously underserved markets, including remote mining operations, with its advanced industrial technologies. “This strategic shift leverages our expertise in new ways, creating value for a broader client base while strengthening our market position.” The company’s approach to developing custom industrial solutions for the mining sector in Southern Africa and Latin America is fundamentally shaped by its Blue Ocean Strategy – one that has transformed DGC  AFRICA from mere refractory specialists to a leading global provider of asset integrity management and industrial solutions. CHALLENGES, PARTNERSHIPS DGC Africa has faced numerous challenges in developing optimal industrial solutions for clients across multiple jurisdictions in sub-Saharan Africa and these challenges have tested the company’s resilience and driven it to innovate and adapt its strategies, continuously. “One of the most significant hurdles has been navigating the diverse and complex regulatory environments across different countries, each with its unique set of mining laws, environmental regulations, and labour standards. To overcome this, we’ve developed a deep understanding of local regulatory frameworks and built strong relationships with regulatory bodies in each of the countries in which we operate,” explains Dickinson. Infrastructure disparities, with varying levels of development across the region, have posed considerable challenges, along with inadequate transportation networks and unreliable power supply in some areas. Skills shortages and workforce development have been persistent issues, particularly for specialised roles in advanced industrial processes. The company has addressed this by investing heavily in its artisanal skills development initiative in partnership with artisan training and development provider UXi Artisan Development. DGC AFRICA has also had to contend with political and economic instability in some regions, with sudden policy changes, currency fluctuations and supply chain disruptions requiring robust contingency plans and flexible operational strategies. Other challenges include mitigating incongruency in terms of matching the company’s advanced technologies with operations in remote mining locations and areas with limited technological infrastructure. Managing supply chains across multiple countries with limited logistical infrastructure has resulted in DGC AFRICA having to build strong local supplier networks and maintain consistent health and safety standards across diverse operational environments. “Despite these challenges, DGC AFRICA has consistently strived to deliver excellent industrial solutions, turning many of these obstacles into opportunities for innovation. Our ability to navigate these complex issues has been key to our success and has reinforced our position as a leading provider of asset integrity management and industrial solutions in the mining sector across sub-Saharan Africa,” says Dickinson. COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY The company has developed a robust strategy to leverage its partnerships with mineral processing companies to significantly enhance its engineering capabilities for the mining sector in Southern Africa. Dickinson notes that this approach aligns with DGC AFRICA’s directive of creating uncontested market space and offering unique value to clients in the region. To complement this directive, the company has partnered with multidisciplinary engineering firm LogiProc, enabling the former to offer comprehensive mineral process engineering, design, and construction services. Dickinson highlights that this partnership enhances DGC Africa’s capacity to deliver turnkey solutions across the mining, metals smelting, and mineral processing sectors in sub-Saharan Africa, with these services spanning the entire project life cycle – from initial feasibility studies and engineering, through to project management and ongoing plant operations and maintenance. “Our strategic alliance with Effixon Engineering significantly enhances DGC AFRICA’s reverse engineering capabilities,” states Dickinson. “This collaboration is particularly valuable for clients lacking original component drawings – a common challenge in brownfield environments. “Using advanced techniques like 3D scanning and precise measurements, we recreate accurate digital representations of existing equipment. This allows us to not only replicate parts but also identify potential improvements, enabling us to offer tailored retrofit solutions that enhance performance and extend equipment life.” This approach is crucial for optimizing operations and modernizing legacy systems, even without original documentation, he notes. This partnership strategy supports DGC AFRICA’s broader expansion plans to extend its geographic reach, with plans to enter Francophone West Africa by late 2025, further plans for DGC LATAM, in South America, and the eventual establishment of DGC Middle East. Dickinson adds that DGC AFRICA is also positioning itself as a versatile and robust international provider of industrial solutions. “This approach ensures that DGC AFRICA can offer localized expertise backed by world-class capabilities, meeting the evolving needs of mining clients across multiple continents while maintaining a strong focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainable practices,” concludes Dickinson. Published 6 September 2024, Mining Weekly By: Lumkile Nkomfe, Creamer Media Reporter, Edited by Donna Slater, Features Deputy Editor and Chief Photographer ABOUT OUR COMPANY, HISTORY, AND PARTNERS Dickinson Group of Companies (DGC) was founded in 1910. For comprehensive information about Our Company – History, Vision & Values, Strategy, Global Alliances, Africa Footprint, Commitment to Safety, Anti-Corruption Policy, References, and Industrial Solutions, please visit our website.

DELIVERING SOLUTIONS: DGC has concentrated on delivering industrial services critical to Zambia’s mining and industrial sectors. Global refractory and industrial solutions provider Dickinson Group of Companies (DGC) is observing ten years of activity in Zambia in 2024 – a period marked by the company’s strategic engagement in the country’s industrial and mining sectors. Since establishing its presence in the country in 2013, DGC has expanded its operations and positioned itself in Zambia as a central hub for its activities across sub-Saharan Africa. Reflecting on this decade, DGC Africa chairperson Trevor Dickinson emphasizes Zambia’s significance in the company’s broader African strategy, noting that the country has been crucial to the company’s regional operations, as it provides a stable base and a platform for expansion. “Over the years, we have sought to integrate deeply into the local economy, establishing partnerships that have been essential to our progress,” he says, highlighting that Zambia’s abundant natural resources and conducive business environment have also facilitated the company’s growth in the region. DGC has, over the years, concentrated on delivering industrial services critical to Zambia’s mining and industrial sectors, including refractory, mechanical, catalyst handling, industrial cleaning, and acid-proofing solutions. However, while the company celebrates this milestone, Dickinson also acknowledges the challenges encountered along the way, including fluctuating commodity prices, evolving regulatory frameworks, changes in ownership of Mopani Copper Mines from diversified mining and marketing company Glencore to the Zambian government and new investors mining company International Resources Holding, as well as Zambia’s prolonged power outages. Despite these hurdles, he says the company has remained adaptive, and that it consistently aligns its services with client requirements and the broader market. Central to DGC’s operations in Zambia has been its commitment to local capacity building. DGC has prioritised recruiting and training local professionals, as well as fostering a skilled workforce that contributes to sustainability and the wider economic development of the country. “We view our success as intrinsically linked to the communities in which we operate. This perspective has driven our investment in local talent, ensuring that our workforce is equipped to support our long-term objectives,” adds Dickinson. Regional Expansion Zambia has been not only a location of significant operations for DGC, but also a key launchpad for the company’s expansion into other sub-Saharan African markets. DGC Africa now operates in two regions, namely DGC South African Operations and African Operations outside of South Africa, which include Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar, and Zimbabwe. The Zambian base has been instrumental in establishing a presence in these neighbouring countries, Dickinson tells Mining Weekly. “Zambia has played a pivotal role in our regional expansion, providing us with the experience and operational expertise necessary to navigate new markets. The lessons learned here have been invaluable, as we’ve extended our reach across the continent,” he states. The company’s approach to expansion is informed by a comprehensive understanding of the African industrial landscape and a commitment to delivering context-specific solutions. Its operational model, which prioritizes building strong relationships with local stakeholders and adapting to the unique challenges of every market, has been instrumental in its regional growth, he adds. As DGC continues to expand its footprint across sub-Saharan Africa, it remains committed to making ongoing investments in research and development, which Dickinson says, has enabled the company to stay ahead of industry trends and deliver solutions that address the evolving needs of clients. The company has introduced the DGC AssetPro Solutions Localisation Partnership model – a new business model aimed at enhancing its operations in neighbouring countries, including the DRC, throughout South Africa and supporting ongoing expansion into other sub-Saharan African countries in the future. The model is designed to deepen the company’s engagement with the local market by fostering closer collaboration with local businesses and communities. The introduction of the model represents a strategic shift towards greater local integration across multiple regions, explains Dickinson, adding that by working alongside local partners, DGC aims to deliver asset management and maintenance solutions that are tailored to the specific requirements of each market, including Zambia, the DRC, South Africa, and other sub-Saharan African countries. The model also aims to improve service delivery while generating new opportunities for local enterprises. It also reflects DGC’s broader strategy of aligning its operations with market demands, consequently ensuring that its activities contribute to sustainable economic growth. Published 20 September 2024, Mining Weekly https://www.miningweekly.com/article/company-celebrates-decade-of-industry-integration-regional-expansion-2024-09-20 By: Simone Liedtke Creamer Media Social Media Editor & Senior Writer Edited by Donna Slater ABOUT OUR COMPANY, HISTORY, AND PARTNERS Dickinson Group of Companies (DGC) was founded in 1910. For comprehensive information about Our Company – History, Vision & Values, Strategy, Global Alliances, Africa Footprint, Commitment to Safety, Anti-Corruption Policy, References, and Industrial Solutions, please visit our website.