Our client took advantage of the opening of foreign markets after the 1994 elections by beginning mining operations in West Africa. The project team became the freight forwarder of choice for the first mine Syama during the early 1990’s, thereafter Randgold decided to build the Morilla and Loulo mines in Mali. Currently, they are also active in Cote D’Ivoire.
The client outsourced all their project logistics requirements to Multimodal Logistics Solution (Pty) Ltd, trading as Multilog. The scope of the mandate requires Multilog to manage all aspects of RRL’s International Project Logistics needs – from Supplier warehouse to Mine site in Mali & Cote D’Ivoire.
The Malian mine can be described as an established operation while in Cote D’Ivoire a new mine is being established – the construction phase commenced in November 2008. High on the priority list is the need to get goods to mine site via the most cost-effective and safest route utilizing all modes of transport e.g. Sea, Air, Road & Rail. Being conscious of the remote locations coupled with Social, Environmental and Regulatory issues we are to ensure that all documentation conforms and are acceptable to the various Governmental Authorities –irrespective the mode of transport utilized. Regular meetings are convened with all interested parties with the view to measure performance against the agreed criteria. The areas measured include warehousing & inventory management, consolidations, crating & packaging, container stuffing, road/rail transport, air & sea freight forwarding and finally Customs Broking.
Regularly we are required to arrange from various countries both Air & Sea Charters – this is for the more urgent and break bulk cargo. Apart from ensuring that all invoices to the client are correct special attention must also be given, where necessary to the pre-shipment inspection requirements. A variety of management reports are collated monthly and some of the results are measured against the agreed Standard Operating Procedures.