How the African-owned Company Corica Mining Services brings together people, environment and business
For Corica, a lot has changed within 22 years.
From a small operation with a single excavator and truck in 2002, the company has grown into one of Africa's largest family-owned mining service providers. Today, Corica employs over 3,500 people and plays a vital role in the mining landscape of Western Africa.
However, there is one thing that remains constant over the past two decades: the company’s commitment to creating a better future for the local community.
“Corica means the heart of Africa,” says Mr. Abdoulaye Diallo, CEO and Managing Director of the company. Recently, Komatsu had the chance to visit the Ity mining site in Côte d'Ivoire to interview Diallo about his vision of responsible mining.
“For me, responsible mining is first and foremost about bringing people together and creating value for both the local communities and our stakeholders, “ explains Mr. Diallo, “and we see ourselves as a bridge between our clients and the local community.”
Combining local knowledge and global standards
As a local business, Corica understands the importance of respecting cultural differences and building trust with the community: “We have the sensibility to understand the differences in culture, tradition and their ways of doing between different ethnic groups, which is particularly the case in Western Africa for example, and through continuous engagement, we bring them together.”
By prioritising local employment and offering upskilling and training, the company ensures that people are equipped with the skills needed to participate in the mining industry.
“Many of them may be completely new to the mining environment," Mr. Diallo explained. "It's crucial that we quickly bring them up to global standards for safety and environmental awareness."
When it comes to environmental impact, Corica hold themselves to the same high standards as their clients. "We are ISO 14000 certified and conduct thorough environmental assessments before any project," Mr. Diallo states. "We also prioritise habitat restoration and reforestation, kicking off these initiatives simultaneously with on-going mining operations rather than waiting until the end of the project lifecycle."
The business case for sustainability
For Corica, mining machinery of their choice must tick all the boxes – efficiency, safety, and sustainability. “The Komatsu PC1250 is a great example of this principle,” he says. “Thanks to its advanced engine and hydraulic system, the machine can operate at peak efficiency while minimising energy consumption and emission. This means higher productivity and lower environmental impact at the same time.”
Beyond the quality of the machines themselves, Corica places great importance on the exceptional support provided by Bia, a leading Komatsu distributor in Western and Central Africa. Mr. Diallo emphasizes, “We rely on Bia to be our partner, always ready to address our concerns and find solutions to minimise machine downtime.” This level of service is essential for ensuring the smooth operation of Corica's business on a daily basis.
Komatsu's commitment to innovation is another factor that drew Corica to the company. "We see their investment and progress in autonomous driving machines and digital technologies, and we are ready to take the lead in bringing these technologies to the forefront of African mining sites,” Mr. Diallo explains.
Corica is a great example of the continent's growing commitment to sustainable business practices. Mr. Diallo concludes, "We can only be successful on a long term by embracing our roots and our values, and Komatsu is an indispensable partner in helping us achieve this."
