Knight Piésold Turns 100
Publication: Mining Review Africa
Issue: January 2021
This year, Level 1 BBBEE, employee-owned Knight Piésold celebrates a milestone achievement few companies ever realise – 100 years in business. Its journey over the decades has resulted in the establishment of a truly global brand, with a very successful South African subsidiary. “Today, we proudly proclaim to be one of the oldest African owned engineering consultancy firms in Africa, with an internationally recognised pedigree of skill sets, committed to serving and uplifting the local markets in which we operate,” MD VISHAL HARIPERSAD tells LAURA CORNISH.
It is Knight Piésold Southern Africa’s (KPSA) approach to doing business that has largely resulted in the successes it has achieved, and will continue to achieve moving forward. “We are African at heart and we embrace the local cultures of any jurisdiction we operate in. This has resulted in the creation of one of the most progressive, fastest growing and diligent companies on the continent,” Haripersad continues.
The company is largely recognised for its mine residue (tailings and heap leach deposition) design and execution capabilities within the mining sector, but its expertise stretches much further, with a well-established footprint and track record of delivering major infrastructure projects as well.
“As we move into the next stage of building another 100 years in the industries we serve, our intention is to deliver on a five-year growth strategy which will see us build our tailings reputation further, while showcasing and delivering our repertoire of infrastructure and geotechnical expertise skills to the African mining sector as well,” Haripersad highlights.
In addition to road, railway, port and airport experience, Knight Piésold has delivered a wide range of water and power projects as well – two areas of great interest to the mining sector at present. Cost effective water and power security currently play a significant role in the financial viability of mining projects and this is an area which the company can contribute towards – particularly renewable power projects that offer the industry a greener footprint.
The company has more recently delivered a number of run-of-river hydropower schemes in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), regions it has a particularly strong focus and presence in. “Barrick’s Azambi hydropower plant for its Kibali gold mine is the perfect demonstration of what we can deliver in both water and power. The greater central African region would benefit enormously from similar projects.”
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