Strengthening Cotecna's Global Metals & Minerals Network Through Leadership Engagement

Since joining Cotecna as Director of Metals & Minerals, Mark Houchin has embarked on a global tour of key operations, visiting teams, laboratories and clients across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. His visits to Peru, South Africa, China, and India reflect Cotecna's commitment to operational excellence and technical alignment, while strengthening customer relationships across the global mining and commodities value chain.

Throughout these visits, Mark engaged directly with local management, technical specialists, and operational teams across our Metals & Minerals business. Each visit provided an opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the capabilities and challenges within each market, while identifying opportunities for future growth. From touring mineral laboratories and mine site operations in Peru and South Africa to meeting major traders and industry partners in China, and engaging with key Metals & Minerals teams across India, the focus remained on strengthening collaboration and sharing best practices, helping to ensure consistency across Cotecna's global operations.

The visits also highlighted Cotecna's continued investment in laboratory infrastructure and technical expertise, supported by rigorous quality assurance and accreditation standards. These investments, combined with the knowledge and dedication of local teams, enable. Cotecna to deliver reliable testing, inspection, and certification services across diverse commodity markets.

Mark began his journey with a visit to Peru, where he witnessed the continued growth of Cotecna's mining operations and laboratory capabilities. In China, he engaged with clients, operational teams and industry stakeholders at Coaltrans China 2026, gaining valuable insight into one of the world's most significant commodities markets. During his visit to India, accompanied by Dr. Durgesh Sharma, CEO of Cotecna India & Sri Lanka, Mark met with teams across several key locations, including Mumbai, Barbil, Paradip, and Kandla, and visited the Adani KCL Plant in Gujarat. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and strengthen relationships with colleagues and customers. His tour concluded in South Africa, where he met the teams supporting accredited testing and inspection services across mine sites and commercial laboratories.

These engagements reinforce Cotecna's global strategy of combining local expertise with international standards to support clients navigating increasingly complex commodity markets. By maintaining close connections with frontline operations and industry partners around the world, Cotecna continues to strengthen its position as a trusted provider of testing, inspection, and certification services for the Metals & Minerals industry, delivering quality, transparency, and reliability across global supply chains.

A sincere thank you to all clients and colleagues across Peru, South Africa, China, and India who contributed to these productive visits. Their expertise and commitment to excellence continue to strengthen Cotecna's global Metals & Minerals network and support the delivery of trusted services worldwide.

Download our Metals & Minerals brochure click here.

Learn more about the range of Metals & Minerals services we offer across the world, click here.

FAQs:

FAQ 1: What Metals & Minerals services does Cotecna provide?

Cotecna provides a comprehensive range of Metals & Minerals services, including sampling, inspection, testing, analysis, laboratory services, and certification. Our solutions support clients throughout the commodity value chain, helping to verify quality, quantity, and compliance at every stage of trade.

FAQ 2: How does Cotecna help ensure the quality and reliability of mineral commodities?

Cotecna combines accredited laboratory testing, rigorous quality assurance processes, and experienced technical specialists to deliver accurate and reliable results. Through independent inspection and analysis, we help clients make informed decisions and reduce risk in global commodity transactions.

FAQ 3: Which industries and commodities does Cotecna support?

Cotecna works with mining companies, traders, smelters, processors, and other stakeholders across the metals and minerals sector. Our services support a wide range of commodities, including coal, iron ore, base metals, precious metals, concentrates, and other mineral products traded in international markets.

About Cotecna

For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.