Today we are talking with Aman Shakenov — a well-known expert in the mining and construction equipment market with more than 20 years of experience working for the largest dealer of Caterpillar (CAT) — Borusan Makina. Aman is a PhD in Mining Engineering and a recognized professional in the field of mining transport. Aman’s patents and proprietary methodology are widely used by miners in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. His contribution to the industry was noted by the Minister of Industry and Construction in the form of the «Honorary Mechanical Engineer» badge and the Medal «For Contribution to Science and Education» of the Rector of the Kazakh National Research Technical University named after K.I. Satpayev.
– Aman, could you share a bit about your background and professional journey?
– I am a native of Pavlodar region, May district, Akshiman settlement. In 1996, I graduated from Ekibastuz Mining College and entered the Kazakh National Technical University named after K.I. Satpayev in Almaty, where I graduated with honors and since then I have not lost touch with Alma mater.
Since 2004, I have been working for Borusan Makina, a dealer of the world-famous manufacturer of mining, construction and energy equipment Caterpillar.
– What inspired you to pursue your professional career with Borusan and Caterpillar? How has your career progression at Borusan Makina, from a mining equipment sales representative to General Director, shaped your leadership style and contributed to the company’s success in the mining equipment market?
– Working at Borusan Makina has given me many opportunities for development. I started my career as a mining equipment sales representative and held various positions. In 2019, I became the head of Borusan Makina Kyrgyzstan. In December 2022, I was appointed as the General Director of Borusan Makina Kazakhstan and returned to Almaty.
Caterpillar is a world-renowned leader in the mining equipment market. In particular, CAT mining trucks are the benchmark for quality, reliability and durability in the mining industry. The share of mining transport in the cost of open-pit mining can exceed 50% of all costs, so it is important to use highly efficient equipment such as CAT. We, as Borusan Makina, being the only Caterpillar dealer in the market of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, understand our responsibility to customers who have invested in CAT equipment. We attach great importance to after-sales support for our customers, thereby reducing equipment downtime to ensure high productivity and reducing the cost per ton of mineral production. Over the past 2 years, we have received the highest recognitions in the certification of our processes for service, supply of spare parts, marketing and digitalization from Caterpillar.
– You have numerous achievements and publications highlighting these accomplishments. For example, you have developed the mining haul road assessment methodology and successfully integrated the latest digital technologies into mining operations. And yet, what achievements do you consider the most significant in your career?
– I would highlight 3 achievements that I am very proud of as a leader and mining expert:
- Successful promotion of high productive American-made CAT mining dump trucks on the market.
- Training and development of sales personnel and engineers who help customers successfully operate CAT dump trucks.
- Defending a PhD dissertation and obtaining patents for inventions that are widely used by mining companies.
– As an inventor with patents that have significantly improved the maintenance of quarry technological roads, your innovations have facilitated proactive maintenance, resulting in cost savings, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced safety conditions at mining sites. Could you provide more details about your patents and their impact?
– I have two patents for inventions. The first patent is «Method of determining type and characteristics of defects of quarry technological roads», and the second is «Reconfigurable measuring complex of an automatic system for prompt detection and identification of the sizes and configuration of defects in the canvas of quarry technological roads». Both patents provide miners with original technical means and methodology for monitoring the condition of mining technological roads for active repair and maintenance of roads. My patents have allowed miners to reduce the costs of operating mining transport, reduce CO2 emissions, and have also contributed to improving safety at mine sites.
– Everyone knows that there is a shortage of technical specialists in the market. You currently serve as the General Director of Borusan Makina Kazakhstan, a leading company in the mining equipment market and the official dealer of Caterpillar in Kazakhstan. How do you solve personnel issues at Borusan Makina Kazakhstan in your executive role?
– Yes, this is not an easy question. There is a shortage of qualified technicians and engineers in our field on the market. And this is a global trend. As the head of the company, I solve this problem in cooperation with colleges and universities. Over the past 3 years, more than 150 students have passed through our Young Technician program and paid internships, and more than 30 of them have found jobs in our company. I also help graduates find jobs at various enterprises in Kazakhstan. Our Young Technician program was recognized by the European business association EUROBAK in 2023 as the achievement of the year.
– Finally, as a distinguished mining expert with over 20 years of experience, a Ph.D. in mining engineering, and several industry honors and patents, could you please share your insights on the current trends and opportunities in the mining industry?
– In the current conditions, the competitiveness of mining enterprises depends on the ability to adapt to changes in the market. I think, unfortunately, the deficit of young personnel in the global labor market will persist for the mining industry. In these conditions, further transition to mining dump trucks with a higher load capacity (220 tons and more) is an obvious opportunity to reduce costs. At the same time, the qualifications of dump truck operators and the condition of service roads will play a key role in the efficiency of mining dump truck operation. The use of the latest methods for training dump truck operators using computer simulators can significantly improve the qualifications of operators. Digital methods of remote monitoring of the condition of service roads can help mining companies organize preventive repairs and maintenance of service roads to prevent the negative impact of road defects on the productivity and safety of mining dump trucks.
Эксперт по горному транспорту Аман Шакенов о своей работе, вкладе и достижениях в горнодобывающей отрасли
Сегодня мы беседуем с Аманом Шакеновым — известным экспертом на рынке горнодобывающей и строительной техники с более чем 20-летним опытом работы в крупнейшем дилере Caterpillar (CAT) — Borusan Makina. Аман — доктор горных наук, признанный профессионал в области горного транспорта. Патенты и оригинальные методики Амана широко используются горняками Казахстана и Кыргызстана. Его вклад в отрасль отмечен министром индустрии и строительства в виде нагрудного знака «Почетный машиностроитель» и медали «За вклад в науку и образование» ректора Казахского национального исследовательского технического университета имени К.И. Сатпаева.
– Аман, не могли бы вы немного рассказать о своем прошлом и профессиональном пути?
– Я уроженец Павлодарской области, Майского района, поселка Акшиман. В 1996 году окончил Экибастузский горный техникум и поступил в Казахский национальный технический университет имени К.И. Сатпаева в городе Алматы, который окончил с отличием и с тех пор не теряю связи с Alma mater.
С 2004 года я работаю в компании Borusan Makina — дилере всемирно известного производителя горнодобывающего, строительного и энергетического оборудования Caterpillar.
– Что вдохновило вас продолжить профессиональную карьеру в Borusan и Caterpillar? Как ваш карьерный рост в Borusan Makina от торгового представителя по горному оборудованию до генерального директора сформировал ваш стиль лидерства и способствовал успеху компании на рынке горнодобывающего оборудования?
– Работа в Borusan Makina дала мне много возможностей для развития. Я начал свою карьеру в качестве торгового представителя по горнодобывающему оборудованию и занимал различные должности. В 2019 году я возглавил Borusan Makina Кыргызстан. В декабре 2022 года я был назначен генеральным директором Borusan Makina Казахстан и вернулся в Алматы.
Caterpillar — всемирно известный лидер на рынке горнодобывающего оборудования. В частности, карьерные самосвалы CAT являются эталоном качества, надежности и долговечности в горнодобывающей промышленности. Доля горнодобывающего транспорта в себестоимости открытых горных работ может превышать 50% всех затрат, поэтому важно использовать высокоэффективную технику, такую как CAT. Мы, как Borusan Makina, являясь единственным дилером Caterpillar на рынке Казахстана и Кыргызстана, понимаем свою ответственность перед клиентами, которые инвестировали в оборудование CAT. Мы придаем большое значение послепродажной поддержке наших клиентов, тем самым сокращая время простоя оборудования для обеспечения высокой производительности и снижения себестоимости на тонну добычи полезных ископаемых. За последние 2 года мы получили самые высокие признания в сертификации наших процессов по сервисному обслуживанию, поставке запасных частей, маркетингу и цифровизации от Caterpillar.
