On 7 January 2014, Sapphire announced that it has completed the acquisition of Mancala Holdings Pty Ltd ("Mancala").
Mancala is an Australian company currently engaged in the business of providing specialist mining services, which includes raised bore, shaft excavation, engineering services and other mining services.
Established in 1990, Mancala began operations as a narrow vein mining company supplying high grade lead/zinc ore. Subsequently, it expanded to provide mining services, eventually establishing itself as a major shaft construction provider within the Eastern Australia mining sector.
Mancala, in association with a German manufacturer of tunnel boring machines, has developed MVM1100, a new boxhole technology based on the field-proven pipe jacking method which increases work safety significantly and productivity. In order to establish its market, Mancala has the exclusive right to own and operate with this drilling technology in Australia until January 2016.
Mancala has significant experience and a strong track record, having completed more than 100 projects since its incorporation.
Outside of Australia, it also has international experience in Botswana, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and more recently, in Vietnam.