Utilizing a mining consultant during the mining and exploration process is an integral part of most operations’ strategies. As well as maximizing value and operational performance, a mining consultant can help shape strategy, drive innovation, and mitigate risks from health and safety to governmental compliance and more.
In this article, we discuss some of the common challenges mining consultants help resolve.
TOP SERVICES PROVIDED BY MINING CONSULTANTS
Some mining operations will seek a mining consultant who specializes in an area of need for a specific mining project. For many other operations, a mining consultant “group” or service will be used that has comprehensive expertise in the wide range of mining operations and can assist in any challenge the project faces. Some of these challenges may include:
PROJECT EFFICIENCY
A primary purpose of mining consultants is to help ensure the project runs as smoothly and profitably as possible. This comes down to project efficiency. A skilled mining consultant will look at current operations, at whatever stage they may be in, and determine a more efficient, profitable, and successful path forward. The benefit of having a mining consultant in this case is being able. To draw upon their years of experience in a wide range of projects and with countless challenges and opportunities—and solutions.
RESOURCE MODELING
Many mining consultants or consulting teams are especially proficient in resource modeling and optimization. With the consultant’s expertise, you can better set—and meet—resource, exploration, and profitability goals. A mining consultant will use geophysical tools and surveys to create a clear picture of your potential resources, then use these detailed reports in conjunction with expertise to devise the highest-success and highest-profitability plan possible.
ENGINEERING & DESIGN
Mining consultants can be invaluable during the design and engineering process of a mine. This additional level of expertise can help to save costs, reduce risks, and provide strategy and insight that can increase the mine’s performance. Consultants can also help to coordinate, manage, and implement mid-project solutions to improve mine efficiency and growth.
OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT
There’s no doubt that challenges will arise mid-project, but so, too, will opportunities. A consultant can help analyze these opportunities using feasibility, risk management, and trade-off studies to determine whether to pursue certain opportunities, and if so, how to do so as successfully as possible.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Mining is a risky business. Although mining only employs 1% of the workforce, it is responsible for 8% of workforce casualties. The risks in a mine vary from collapses to toxic gasses to extreme temperature and poor air quality. There’s little that gives an operation worse PR than a fatal accident. Mining consultants help to analyze existing or prospective operations to help mitigate potential risks.
SAFETY IMPROVEMENT
Similar to the above challenge, there are cases where safety concerns arise. Utilizing a mining consultant in the case of safety concerns helps to put an effective solution in place for the most reasonable cost. Solutions can easily become outdated, mismanaged, or can have budgetary implications. A mining consultant can take a look at the full picture, ensuring the implementation of the most reasonable solution for the risk, budget, protocols, and regulations.
DUE DILIGENCE
Another beneficial service provided by mining consultants is due diligence. Mining activities have a lot of moving parts from transportation to permitting, infrastructure to financial, and more. An expert mining consultant has expertise in due diligence to help reduce risk and optimize the probability of success.
STAFFING
Staffing is a huge part of a mining operation’s success or failure. You must have the right people on your team to get the right information and production. A mining consultant will have the knowledge and tools to help you know what kind of staffing you need, and how to fill those needs in the most efficient and sensible way possible.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
The environmental responsibilities of the mining industry have come more into the forefront of social and political causes across the globe. Movements to protect natural water bodies, preserve ecologically and culturally significant areas, establish environmental protections, and more are included in reports such as the “Framework for Responsible Mining: A Guide to Evolving Standards” by the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the World Resources Institute, the Responsible Mining Foundation (RMF), as well as agreements, such as the Rio Declaration, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Environmental Protection Act (EPA), and more.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
As well as environmental responsibility, a mining consultant can assist in social responsibility as well as improving relationships with the surrounding communities. Mining activities are often criticized for their impact on workers’ health and for local communities who see mining as a threat to their society, environment, community, and/or economy. A mining consultant can assist in the implementation of corporate social responsibility research, strategy, and implementation as well as public relations efforts to improve stakeholder relationship management.
GOVERNMENTAL COMPLIANCE
The mining industry comes with a range of compliance requirements, including compliance regarding environmental protections, labor and mine safety, health administration, reclamation and enforcement, and more. A mining consultant will help navigate governmental compliance for the project’s specific location, ore, and stage of activity, ensuring all “i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed” to mitigate future regulatory issues.
CLOSURE & RECLAMATION
Mine closure and reclamation efforts differ based on where the land is located, the history of the mine, ecological impact of a mine closure, etc. It typically includes efforts including removing toxic materials, machinery, and mining structures; filling holes and closing off tunnels; fencing dangerous areas; implementing signage to warm of additional dangers, etc. A mining consultant will help determine the best closure and reclamation process as well as providing the resources to implement this process as effectively as possible.
Ask a Question
Would you like to learn more about mining consultants and their work in the mining industry? Let us know in the comments below or by contacting us today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BRIAN GOSS
President, Rangefront Mining Services
Brian Goss brings over 20 years of experience in gold and mineral exploration. He is the founder and President of Rangefront, a premier geological services and mining consulting company that caters to a large spectrum of clients in the mining and minerals exploration industries. Brian is also a director of Lithium Corp. (OTCQB: LTUM), an exploration stage company specializing in energy storage minerals and from 2014 to 2017, he fulfilled the role of President and Director of Graphite Corp. (OTCQB: GRPH), an exploration stage that specialized in the development of graphite properties. Prior to founding Rangefront, Brian worked as a staff geologist for Centerra Gold on the REN project, as well as various exploration and development projects in the Western United States and Michigan. Brian Goss holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Geology from Wayne State University in Michigan.
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