MINING CONSULTANTS
Discrete event simulation( DES) modelling, meanwhile, integrates operational mining knowledge with sophisticated simulation technologies. du Preez explained:“ Consultants develop realistic digital representations of mining value chains based on their operational experience, while simulation software evaluates thousands of operating events and interactions that cannot be practically analysed manually. The increasing transparency and useability of simulation platforms also enables clients to better understand the assumptions, sensitivities and implications of different operating scenarios, improving confidence in decision making and reducing reliance on lengthy iterative studies.”
All three of these elements represent company differentiators, according to du Preez.
“ While many organisations perform scenario analysis, HoV’ s use of evolutionary algorithms to systematically explore millions of strategic alternatives is distinctive,” he said.“ Importantly, the value lies not only in identifying the optimal solution, but in preserving the complete family of high-performing solutions and their associated mine designs, production schedules, capacities and grade cutoffs. This enables clients to understand the strategic flexibility available to them, assess risk more comprehensively and make informed decisions under changing market conditions.”
Rather than simply highlighting performance gaps, Advanced Analytics investigates why those gaps exist by identifying root causes, relationships and performance drivers, he added.“ This moves beyond descriptive reporting towards prescriptive improvement strategies, providing clients with practical pathways to improve operational performance.”
And AFRY’ s simulation capability is differentiated through the combination of commercial simulation platforms and internally-developed, mining-specific simulation tools, supported by deep operational mining expertise.“ This allows simulation models to accurately reflect mining-specific operating behaviours and constraints while maintaining flexibility across different commodities, mining methods and processing configurations,” du Preez said.“ The result is practical, decisionfocused simulation rather than purely academic modelling.”
Across AFRY’ s offerings – including HoV, Advanced Analytics and DES – AI is viewed as an accelerator that“ augments engineering judgement, automates repetitive analytical tasks, uncovers previously hidden insights and makes increasingly complex decision-support tools more accessible to clients,” du Preez said.
“ Combined with AFRY’ s multi-disciplinary engineering capability, this positions AFRY to deliver a new generation of intelligent, datadriven consulting services that extend well beyond traditional mining advisory work.”
Leveraging a culture of innovation
The consensus is that technology and consultancy make good bedfellows, but the former is needed to complement the latter, as opposed to acting as a replacement.
Chris Griffiths, Head of Mining – UK & Ireland at WSP, spoke to this when providing input to IM, all while warning that the dwindling pipeline of consulting talent is not being replaced at the required pace.
“ Technology is an important part of addressing the industry’ s growing demand for specialist expertise, but it is only effective when combined with experienced people,” he said.
Platforms such as WSP’ s Mine Asset Vista( MAV) solution is a good example here, bringing together fragmented operational, monitoring and engineering data into a single environment that, Griffith claimed, allows specialists to focus more of their time on interpreting risk and making informed decisions rather than gathering information.”
In disciplines such as tailings management, where highly experienced Engineers of Record are in short supply globally, this context improves the reach and effectiveness of technical expertise.
“ The real opportunity is using technology to create capacity for innovation while ensuring decisions remain grounded in sound engineering judgement,” he added. Griffiths reflected on the company’ s partnership with Microsoft, which, he said, gives WSP access to specialist capabilities in data, AI and software development that help consultants apply appropriate technologies to improve decision making and augment technical expertise.
MAV is a case in point, leveraging advanced digital technologies to link technical evidence with facility context and governance requirements.
This, WSP said, allows organisations to move beyond reactive, documentdriven oversight toward a more consistent, auditable and connected approach to tailings management.
“ Grounded in WSP’ s engineering expertise, and designed for cloud capability, MAV is a secure visual index and validated record of agreed-upon data designed to scale globally,” the company added.“ It connects performance data, design intent, inspections, monitoring and risk frameworks to create a comprehensive view of facility condition, TARP triggers and risk thresholds, compliance progress and changes to the site over time.”
Alongside MAV – which caters to conformance to GISTM, among other disclosure requirements, in the tailings management space – there are other obvious consulting opportunities where technology can streamline traditional workflows, such as document reviews, risk registers, benchmarking and the management of large volumes of technical information, according to Griffiths.“ These efficiencies are important as regulatory requirements increase and mining projects become more complex,” he said.
Beyond that, one of the biggest benefits is the ability to drive greater consistency and standardisation across workflows, some of which might involve input from other related industries, according to Griffiths.“ At the scale WSP operates globally, having common approaches, tools and delivery frameworks help improve efficiency and maintain a consistent quality of work across regions and teams.”
WSP has a history of developing specialised tools that support the complex technical challenges of its clients, such as FracMan ® for geotechnical modelling and GoldSet © for sustainability assessments.
WSP has provided Discrete Fracture Network
WSP’ s FracMan software uses the discrete fracture network approach to solve mining characterisation and engineering challenges( photo: WSP)
48 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2026