At a time when mines and quarries are under pressure to accelerate the adoption of technology to drive efficiency, a respected industry veteran urges up and coming mining professionals not to lose sight of the importance of getting out to site to look at the material.
Francois Scott, regional sales manager at Astec Industries Africa Middle East, says that graduates and young engineers are increasingly viewing a career in mining as a desk-bound job where all the answers can be found on a computer.
He contends that this is not always the case. Scott has spent his entire eventful career in the mining industry and has a wealth of insights and advice to share with graduates and industry newcomers ahead of his planned retirement next year. These include knowing your rock, knowing your equipment and getting to know and learning from experienced people.
“The mining industry has certainly evolved significantly, and the technology and innovations available now to enhance productivity and safety are very exciting,” Scott states. “I am proud to work at a leading global equipment manufacturer that is dynamic, dedicated to innovation and committed to developing pioneering solutions in our Astec Industries Rock to Road offering,” he says.
“However, I believe we should never underestimate the value of seeing the rock that you are working with, and the shape and composition of different minerals after blasting. This gives a better insight on what product to offer in this application. See your product working in this application. Know your equipment’s components, how it is built and how it works. Be willing to learn from experienced mentors,” he stresses.
Scott says that his fascination with rock and a family involved in mining drew him into the industry. His career has spanned the materials handling sector and the manufacturing of underground rolling stock and chairlifts. As a commodity specialist, he has worked with aggregates, coal, copper, zinc, chrome, platinum, kimberlite, manganese, iron ore and mineral sands. His different branch manager roles at Astec Industries have taken him around Africa, from Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga to Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Working as Astec Africa Middle East’s field service manager, and ensuring that customers receive sales, spares and support 24/7 is one of the challenges that he has risen to over the years. Among his greatest achievements, Scott cites supplying the first cone crusher and modular plant into South Africa’s iron ore industry.
He is also proud to have supplied 44 Astec apron feeders to a leading iron ore producer and equally honoured to have worked with an emerging business, Motlokwa Transport, that approached him in 2018 to replace a crusher manufactured in the 1960s. Since then, Scott has forged a strong partnership with businessman Solomon Thokobane and seen Motlokwa Transport go from strength to strength. Commenting on the long-standing partnership, Thokobane commended the strength and longevity of Astec equipment. “I choose Astec equipment because it is robust and built to last,” he says.
Building relationships, learning from mentors and getting out to site to gain skills, knowledge and experience is the advice that Scott has for the up and coming generation of mining professionals. When he isn’t supporting valued Astec customers or getting his hands dirty examining machines or rocks, Scott plays golf and gives back to his community through the local Community Policing Forum and homeowners association. This is where he will be found after he retires from his long career in mining and quarrying.
