Comadev expands from Rovaniemi into Africa’s growing mining markets

Rovaniemi-based Comadev already employs over a hundred ore sample drillers in Botswana. Support from Finnpartnership has accelerated the exploration of new markets in Africa.

Comadev Oy, which carries out diamond drilling for mineral exploration and mining companies, has rapidly expanded its operations in recent years from the Nordic countries to southern Africa.

The Rovaniemi-based company is already operating in Botswana. Growth opportunities have also been identified in Zambia and Namibia.

Comadev’s CEO, Eetu Pussinen, first conceived the idea of expanding into Africa whilst attending an international mining event in South Africa as part of a delegation organised by the export organisation Mining Finland.

“Our first market survey focused on Zambia, where there is now strong global demand for the copper it produces, driven by electrification and the green transition,” says Pussinen.

Comadev received Business Partnership Support from Finnpartnership to explore the markets in Zambia and, later, also in Botswana and Namibia.

“We would have carried out market research in any case, but not necessarily to the same extent, standard or within the same timeframe. Finnpartnership’s support played a significant role in this,” says Pussinen.

The company reports that it has also received valuable support from Finnish diplomatic missions abroad, drawing on their local knowledge and contacts, particularly in Zambia and Namibia.

Over a hundred employees in Botswana

Comadev’s clients are international mineral exploration and mining companies, on whose behalf the company carries out both surface and underground drilling. The company manufactures the necessary equipment itself in Rovaniemi.

“The mining sector is highly international. The same major players may operate not only in the Nordic countries but also, for example, in Africa, Canada and Australia. A good customer relationship in one market may therefore open up opportunities elsewhere,” says Eetu Pussinen.

Although the company’s first market survey in Africa focused on Zambia, actual business operations got off to a faster start in Botswana. Comadev established a subsidiary in the country and, following lengthy negotiations, secured its first client contract.

Operations have since grown rapidly, and the company already employs over a hundred people in Botswana. Fieldwork is carried out by staff recruited from Botswana and neighbouring countries, many of whom already have experience in drilling operations.

The operating model is suited to local conditions

Sini Spets, Deputy CEO at Comadev, explains that the company trains the staff it recruits for their specific roles. As well as technical matters, the onboarding programme also covers issues such as health and safety and environmental responsibility.

“International mining companies set strict safety and environmental requirements for their operations, which we are able to meet thanks to the expertise and working methods we have developed in the Nordic countries. Where necessary, we make use of local experts. This allows us to adapt our working methods to the conditions and requirements in Botswana.”

Spets emphasises that success in Africa requires adapting the company’s operating models to local conditions. In Botswana, in addition to drilling operations, the company is also responsible for, for example, staff accommodation at the site, transport, the supply of water for drilling and other logistical support.

Drilling takes place in uninhabited areas in the western part of the country, where the nearest town may be as far as a hundred kilometres away. Electricity for the camp is generated using solar power. The aim is to ensure that no traces of the operation remain in the area once the camp has been dismantled.

The exploration of opportunities in Africa continues

For Comadev, the reason for venturing into Africa was to expand its business from the Nordic countries into other markets. Sini Spets recommends other SMEs to also explore the continent’s opportunities. It is worth making use of support from industry associations and other networks when expanding internationally.

However, every company must choose its own approach, Spets points out.

“As a general tip, I’d say you need to go there in person to network and actively seek out partners. At the same time, you have to accept that a model that works in the Nordic countries may not necessarily work there as it stands,” says Sini Spets.

Comadev currently has its hands full with work in Botswana, but the Finnish company is actively monitoring opportunities in Zambia and Namibia, as well as other African countries.

“We intend to continue utilising Finnpartnership’s support in mapping out new markets when the time is right,” says Eetu Pussinen.

Images: Comadev