The Lautoka-based iron sand exporter, Amex Resource Limited, is reportedly performing better in recent years. The company began a three-day loading operation of its second batch of iron sand for the year, intended for China, with a total capacity of about 50,000 tonnes as per the statements of the general manager, Alivereti Tuidravuni. Continuous improvement in equipment and management, bolstered by international exchanges improving staff skills, is credited as the reason for the recent successes.
Despite these achievements, Australian investors of Amex are seeking more progress as the current rate of production is not turning profits. In response, the company’s board decided to amplify its investment in capital and technology, adopting a three-phase tech upgrade plan. The first phase features investment in a hydraulic cyclone device to boost production efficiency, which will be ready for initial testing in two months.
Amex has also purchased a second dredging ship from China for $1.1 million to maintain continuous production, reports Tuidravuni. The technological improvements are predicted to enhance shipment frequency. However, he points out that despite falling short of investor expectations, they continue to support Amex, encouraging them to implement constant tech upgrades and equipment updates.
Looking ahead, Amex has arduous production tasks slated for the second half of the year, with containers familiar with newly acquired equipment and spare parts mostly imported from China or New Zealand arriving in the past few months. More importantly, in light of new technological advancements, the company requires more young, technical talents for increasingly intricate equipment operations.