Forklift, construction and mining equipment manufacturer Komatsu will establish a trust to help disadvantaged South Africans.

Komatsu Ltd will establish a trust in South Africa to provide human resource development programs for "historically disadvantaged" South Africans (HDSA) as defined in the country's Mining Charter.

The trust will be established in July 2014 under the name of the Komatsu Development Trust.

While the South African government, through legislative actions and various policies, is working to advance the economic status of black South Africans who suffered from discrimination during the Apartheid era, the mining industry is responding to the government's call to action by setting a goal of increasing the ownership interest of HDSAs in mining-related companies in South Africa.

According to Komatsu, industry efforts have been effective, as ownership by HDSAs within the mining industry have risen.

In South Africa, Komatsu owns Komatsu Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd (KSAf) jointly with Itochu Corporation, which holds a 20% share. KSAf is engaged in the sales and service of construction and mining equipment in South Africa and neighbouring countries.

KSAf will transfer all of its business to a newly established company, 25.04% of which will be owned by Komatsu Trust, with the remaining interests owned by KSAf.

Komatsu Trust will invest part of its dividend from the new company to provide human resource development programs for HDSAs - funding programs to train operators and mechanics working with construction and mining equipment, and continue to provide youth education programs that KSAf and one of its customers have provided since 2007.

Komatsu is also engaged in training instructors and mechanics in other countries in Africa to increase employment opportunities and support participation of the local population in the mining industry. Komatsu established Komatsu training centres in Dakar, Senegal in 2009 and in Nairobi, Kenya in 2010. In Angola, in alliance with Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS), a non-profit organisation, Komatsu has been involved in community development projects, donating demining equipment to demine and rehabilitate areas contaminated with landmines.