MINING CONSULTANTS
“ In Colombia , our local talent , combined with the backup from about 1,500 global colleagues , helps us gear up for most challenges , while bringing integral solutions to our clients ,” SRK ’ s Felipe Forero says
the mining industry sector as many of them have Nordic roots ,” Tikka said .
Yet , as an independent engineering company , AFRY ensures it promotes all technologies – not just ones it has an existing relationship with .
“ The client always gets the best technoeconomically-selected process technology package ,” Tikka clarified .
AFRY places increased emphasis on this technology selection since the production process will continue to play a decisive role in whether the investment creates value for owners , he added .
With the mining industry set to play a significant role in the transition to a low-carbon future – with minerals and metals providing essential building blocks in a wide variety of clean energy technologies – AFRY ’ s understanding of the whole value chain stands it in good stead to win more work , according to Tikka .
“ Based on our depth of knowledge , we can help clients at every step and in any scale of a project ,” he said .
“ AFRY ’ s services within the mining sector already cover the whole lifecycle of the mining project : AFRY ’ s geologists , geophysicists and environmental experts are usually the first ones to get involved with a new deposit . AFRY has services for the environmental permitting and full scope feasibility studies with various accuracies .”
For large industrial investment projects , AFRY applies the engineering procurement and construction management ( EPCM ) method . One of the recent projects it is applying this method on is Horizonte Minerals ’ Araguaia ferronickel project , in Brazil , an open-pit nickel laterite mining development that will deliver ore from several pits to a central rotary kiln electric furnace metallurgical processing facility .
Whereas , at operating mines , AFRY typically takes care of the local project services , including small assignments and possible bigger expansion projects .
“ Toward the end of a mine ’ s life , AFRY can carry out a closure plan and AFRY also has experts to carry out post-closure monitoring ,” Tikka said .
Across this scope , AFRY believes the adoption of digitalisation and electrification tools will prove key in transforming the mining sector , quantifying where the opportunities are to decarbonise operations and move away from fossil-based fuels .
“ We use our engineering ability to optimise
technical processes across the lifetime of mining and metals operations to decrease emissions , reduce the CO2 footprint and increase overall efficiency and sustainability ,” Tikka said . “ Understanding the interlinkages between process design and environmental performance is at our core .”
The Colombia consulting microcosm
In an emerging mining market like Colombia , the approaches to tackling industry skills shortages require longer-term investment starting at a grassroots level , according to Felipe Forero , Managing Director and Practice Leader at SRK Consulting ( Colombia ).
While the company has observed less technical competency and counterparts from the mining companies it maintains regular business with in Colombia – which , in turn , has led to outsourcing – the obvious gaps are often filled with overseas experts .
“ This helps bridge some of the experience gaps , but there are important aspects being left out , such as local climatic , social and economic issues ,” Forero told IM .
SRK is looking to address this by merging its international talent pool with highly capable local professionals in the country .
“ In Colombia , our local talent , combined with the backup from about 1,500 global colleagues , helps us gear up for most challenges , while bringing integral solutions to our clients ,” Forero said .
The company ’ s Colombia practice is currently strengthening capabilities in water resource
management and mine closure , for instance , supported by this global base of experts .
This builds on a recent merger with Dynami Geoconsulting , a Colombia-based company providing specialised services in geotechnical engineering , foundation design , mine waste management and hydrology . Dynami was established in 2015 by Forero and his colleague Diego Cobos to provide geotechnical design services for a small gold mine in Antioquia .
On an international basis , innovation and alternative approaches to data processing and interpretation will provide improved understanding and better solutions for the challenges faced by projects , according to Forero .
This is in action in Colombia , where the local SRK office , specialising in tailings management , is taking new approaches to designing solutions for the specific topographic and climatic conditions encountered in the country . This also extends to the handling of dry stack tailings .
Projects such as Buritica , owned by Zijin- Continental Gold , in the valley of the Cauca River in Antioquia , is a good example of this , having features such as steep slopes , high precipitation , etc that challenge conventional thinking , Forero said .
SRK and Dynami have participated in this project since the very early stages , during permitting , feasibility and design , and SRK is currently providing support and supervision during operation of the 3,000 t / d mine .
While the country gears up for larger-scale mining outside of coal – such as the ramp up of Buritica – SRK has been able to participate in aspects of the conception , design , construction and operation of several local projects .
“ This has allowed our staff to integrate technical tailings management aspects with the always-important environmental and social components of the project by interacting with client stakeholders or third-party consultants specialised in these areas ,” Forero said .
“ This is observed not only for our practice in Colombia but in general for the global industry where projects , in order to succeed , need to allocate support from different countries and with different specialties and integrate them towards a common objective .”
Like mining projects on an international stage , Forero and SRK envisages carbon reduction and more sustainable practices as being embedded in its mining project and design work going forward .
“ These new practices will be provided as alternatives to our clients in a staged manner as they sometimes involve larger investments ,” he clarified . “ From solar farms in large waste facilities , to enhanced water recovery , alternative wastewater treatment , and reduction of polymerbased geo-composites for earthworks , these are concepts that we are beginning to dive into .”
IM
62 International Mining | OCTOBER 2022