Peeking over the fence

When we show cased our new web based reporting tool at a recent mining convention we were approached by a Canadian company mining in Zimbabwe. That short conversation led to an invite to visit them onsite and explore possible synergies and opportunities for business.

But life was hectic here and by all accounts even more so there and two months passed in a wink of an eye before we, my business partner and I, found ourselves standing outside the hanger, cause an airport it is not.....slightly bewildered and very bemused by the fact that we never even thought to confirm the actual arrival and pick up arrangements. That after the receipt of our e-tickets about two weeks earlier. E-tickets that had us staying in Zimbabwe from the 16th of December 2009 to the 17 November 2010. Uhhu yes, a slight mistake. After a short caucus we decided we will not panic, we will keep a cool head despite the 37C, the overgrown gardens and clear signs of neglect. Never mind that we did not get our phones on roaming and even if we did, we did not have a local number to call.

Turns out, our pick-up did arrive and was as surprised to see us as we were to see him. And how honoured we were with none other than the general manager of the mine, a smallish but successful operation about an hours drive from the airport. Which were exactly where we headed next, on an excuse of a tar road. Taking turns to drive on and off the road to allow enough space for vehicles to pass from the front. Our driver telling us all about live in Zim and how everything has changed in a short period of time. The pleasure of dealing in US $ even if the locals think nothing of charging 10$ for everything. I suppose if you are used to charging a gazillion 000 behind everything then one zero must look very cheap - just imagine paying 20000 zim dollars for a loaf of bread.

What an informative afternoon, walking around those old mills, hearing people talk of the economic energy building up. Turn- key solutions for new mills to be installed in the new year, 24 hour shifts to build up a stock pile. Tongue in cheek warning and safety signs posted at the gate. The high density village where children ran around, white teeth shining in vaseline round faces. Naked fat babies toddling in the sand with men standing around and watching these two foreign looking women talking and peering through windows. Learning how dependant the community really is on the mine, treating the managers as respected elders in the community. Managers that speak with international accents even though they grew up in the community with parents doing community work. People with a real heart for their country. That wants to do what is right because it is right, and not because legislation so requires.

Our challenge - to work outside the box of our legislative framework. The ability to think laterally and design a solution that will add value to their operation - and do so cost effectively and within a very short period of time.

The next day as we were sitting on the tarmac, waiting for our plane to return from Zambia, where it had to refuel before the trip home, we were mulling all these ideas around. It is going to be exciting and I can see a big learning curve coming our way but an opportunity is knocking on our door and we are all in agreement that we need to grab this opportunity with open arms.