SCANZ was established in 2018 as a Consulting Company which specializes in engineering services for the Mining Industry in South Africa. SCANZ is a Level 4 BBBEE contributing company in South Africa. SCANZ is located in Witbank, Mpumalanga. This puts us in close proximity of all the major Coal operations in Mpumalanga but does not exclude other operations within the borders of South Africa. SCANZ is owned and managed by Alex Austin, a GCC Electrical Engineer with 25 years operational experience, 13 years there off as Engineering Manager at Anglo American Operations. Alex started his career in hard rock but the bulk of his experience has been in soft rock. Experience gained include but is not limited to the safe management of Winder and Shafts, Ventilation Fans, Conveyor Installations, Continuous Miner sections, Longwall sections and SIB Projects.
Alex believes in simple but effective engineering principles, but also that relationship with family and colleagues creates healthy working environments. In the modern era, engineers get pulled into managing short term targets and never spend time evaluating equipment and long term strategies. This is where he can assist and give guidance with what is required to manage those sections or operations effectively. Alex is also an advocate for sharing as a team and understanding each and others strengths and weaknesses. Productive safe teams plan to work together and have common goals. They also communicate freely, have tough conversations and share success.
The aim of SCANZ is not only to give technical advice and recommendations but also to coach young engineers who did not necessarily have exposure to all of the aspects required to be successful. SCANZ wants to be the preferred Engineering Service provider to assist in improving the following key areas: