Consultancy pursues innovation, growth

14th September 2018

Consultancy pursues innovation, growth

NOTABLE GROWTH AZMET, founded in 2014, has grown progressively to become an expert provider in the engineering, design and project management industry

Engineering consultancy AZMET continues to showcase South African engineering talent to a global audience, and the company is pursuing a number of plans for further expansions and opportunities that exist for organisations willing to innovate, says AZMET marketing director Ruan Kukard.

AZMET, founded in 2014 during extremely challenging economic conditions, has grown progressively to become an “expert” provider in the engineering, design and project management industry. The company’s focus on precious and base metal recovery has assisted it in remaining relevant in a quickly changing global industry.

To date, AZMET has been involved in projects and studies in Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Kyrgyzstan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Turkey, Armenia and other countries globally.

International growth relies on AZMET’s ability to develop relationships and on-board local representation in its target markets. This is how it has succeeded in Turkey, Armenia and other global markets. Focus regions includes Canada, Russia, Tanzania, Chile, Peru, and other South American markets, informs Kukard.

AZMET is currently seeking repre- sentation in various global territories. The company is making progress in Peru and Canada, and it has repre- sentation agreements in Russia, Algeria and Brazil. “We are still actively seeking representation in Chile, Australia and Tanzania since they remain target markets for us.”

South America, specifically Chile, remains a key target for the company, owing to the big opportunities that exist in copper, indicates Kukard. AZMET has vast expertise in proprietary copper oxide technology and is working on new copper sulphide technologies.

“All the large mining companies are talking about minimising operational expenditure and increasing throughput. Our process technologies are developed with the focus on maximis- ing the client’s profit, and we believe it’s just a matter of time before we gain traction and capitalise on these opportunities,” says Kukard.

“We are busy,” he adds. “The company has grown impressively in the past 18 months. To accommodate that growth, AZMET has moved into new offices which will allow for further growth.

We have our culture of service excellence and conduct our business with honesty and integrity,” he says. Everyone in the company contributes to making AZMET a success and stands accountable in their decision-making. “This year, we’ve expanded our project management team, expediting and costing team, as well as the process engineering department. We have a dynamic team with the capabilities to execute large capital projects; we are excited about our future growth and current opportunities.”

AZMET has a constant focus on developing new concepts and finding more efficient, cost-effective and fit- for-purpose solutions for its clients.

“To differentiate ourselves from other engineering, procurement and construction management companies in the world, we develop new process technologies with the aim of reducing project capital expenditure and operating expenditure. We are busy with new products and technologies having niche process benefits,” explains Kukard.

“We have designed a unique carbon- in-column system for the heap leach adsorption process. The design origi- nated from a project requirement to handle a big variance in pregnant solution flow rate. The flared columns with the AZMET patent-pending bubble plate design provides even flow distribution with minimal pressure drop over a range of flows (285 m³/h – 1100 m³/h). This design ensures optimum countercurrent carbon-solution contact.”

AZMET is a member of the South African Capital Equipment Export Council.