MINING CONSULTANTS
Along with SLR , WAI provides services for minerals-related projects ranging from : preliminary exploration planning and execution , through mineral resource and reserve estimation to international reporting standards , scoping studies , mine design and financial appraisal , to prefeasibility and feasibility studies .
“ Both businesses have a strong , but complementary client list , including companies and organisations from the private and public sectors , as well as many major financial institutions ,” Walker said . “ In addition , WAI has been involved in multiple LSE Main Board and AIM listings as well as NI 43-101 Technical Reports in line with TSX and Competent Person ’ s Reports in line with ASX .”
Walker says the SLR “ sweet spot ” in the marketplace is tied to the long-standing relationships it has fostered , some dating back more than 15 years .
“ With a larger , more comprehensive team , we have not only increased the multiple touch points in striving for trusted advisor status with our clients , but we have also improved our technical capacity to deliver consistently on technical excellence ,” he added .
Mining lifecycle coverage is enhanced with the addition of WAI to SLR ’ s existing capability , from development and funding stages , through design , operation and closure , according to Walker .
He explained : “ One of our unique value propositions is that we help clients develop to close eventually , thereby addressing some of the key pain points in mining , ie obtaining the social licence to operate , minimising and offsetting harm to the environment , as well as improving the chances of a just transition and avoiding nasty legacy issues .
“ Another is emphasis on the integration engineering , sciences , environment and social drivers to make sustainability happen . This is behind our drive for global reach of networked expertise available locally .”
In addition to being able to better support Tier 1 mining clients with the addition of WAI , SLR is able to strongly support explorers , juniors and mid-tier players , according to Walker .
“ This help and support can come in the guise of solving key sustainability challenges , or solving difficult technical problems , or positioning for investment or acquisition by bigger players ,” he said .
An industry backdrop of increased demand for a newer mix of raw materials to help tackle climate change , the energy transition and decarbonisation ; plus increasing protectionist policies , is making for an extremely attractive marketplace for consultants and advisors like SLR , according to Walker , “ where we offer what we argue to be the ideal balance between strategic advice and the practical realities of
making them real benefits to our clients .”
Heap leaching history
Kappes , Cassiday & Associates ( KCA ), having celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2022 , is happy to leverage its heap leach expertise to stand out from the consulting and engineering crowd .
The company has a remit that includes heap leaching , cyanide processing , laboratory testing , project feasibility studies , engineering design , construction and operations management . This is all under the banner of process metallurgical services .
While primarily known for its heap leach expertise , KCA ’ s staff includes professionals with design capabilities in a wide range of metallurgical processes , such as : a complex acid leach process for a Bolivian silver project , a SART ( Sulphurisation , Acidification , Recycling and Thickening ) process for a Mexican copper-gold project and multiple HPGR ( High Pressure Grinding Roll ) processes around the globe .
Earlier this year , KCA Australia was engaged by ASX-listed Marmota Energy to advise and manage the metallurgical heap leach test work program for the Aurora Tank gold discovery in South Australia .
The program is being carried out to optimise gold recoveries from open-pit mining and heap leach processing at Aurora Tank , Marmota says . IM