Base metals

From concept to commissioning and beyond.

Drawing on 60 years of experience, we provide full-service capabilities from initial studies and process design to engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) and construction management(EPCM) for the delivery of base metals projects globally. Our comprehensive expertise includes geology, mine planning and design, processing, tailings management, material handling, environmental permitting, water treatment and infrastructure, project delivery, closure, and reclamation. We are experienced in resource and reserve estimating, modelling and audits, as well as mine planning, design and optimisation.

Copper

Our copper expertise dates back to the early 1970s, when we worked on the original Lornex concentrator at the Highland Valley copper mine in western Canada. Today, we provide a comprehensive range of services to support the development of copper mines from high tonnage porphyry copper mines and smaller underground operations to oxide copper heap leach and leach-solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX/EW) process facilities producing high-purity cathodes. Our professionals have many years of experience at operating facilities, so we know how to optimise our designs for operability and maintainability. We also provide comprehensive services for heap leach stacking and conveying systems. We have worked for many of the world's top copper producers to deliver benchmark projects.

• Over 20 years supporting the Antamina copper-zinc project in Peru through more than 60 contracts including a wide range of consulting services
• Delivered the benchmark Andacollo 55,000 tpd copper concentrator in Chile for capital efficiency, involving a creative EPCM approach and extensive value engineering.
• Provided EPCM services for the Tenke Fungurume Copper/Cobalt project in Democratic Republic of Congo, the first major greenfield project following a decade of civil war.
• Asset support projects to sustain and improve brownfield operation at the Andina copper complex

Zinc

From mining to refining, we provide a complete range of services for the development and extraction of the world’s zinc resources. For more than 100 years, we have been providing asset support services for the Trail zinc plant through our predecessor companies. For decades, we have been continuously involved in the establishment and subsequent expansions of Red Dog in Alaska. In Peru, we have more than 15 years of experience providing study, engineering and EPCM services at the Cajamarquilla Cominco zinc refinery.

• More than 50 studies and projects at zinc mines, mills and refineries in the last five years globally
• Pioneer of the commercial-scale use of pressure leaching at one of the world’s largest zinc refineries
• EPCM contractor for establishment and two major expansions at one of the world’s largest zinc mines
• Worked with major zinc technology suppliers, including Lurgi, Union Minière and Asturiana

Iron

We have decades of experience in the study, design and implementation of a wide range of iron-ore projects in Australia, Canada, Chile and Peru. Our knowledge extends to all aspects of iron-ore exploration, mining, processing and bulk material handing. Globally, we have worked for major operators as well as exploration and development companies.

• Worldwide resources for the assessment of iron-ore development properties and operating mines/process facilities
• Identified key design innovations and later, in joint venture, provided EPC for the Cloudbreak wet front-end facility in Western Australia for a global leader in the iron ore industry
• Engineering and detailed design for the world-class Roy Hill project in Western Australia, following a design review that resulted in significant cost savings
• Centres of iron-ore processing expertise in our offices in Australia, Canada, Chile and Peru

Nickel

We provide full capabilities from initial studies through to detailed design, EPC and EPCM for nickel projects. Throughout our history, we have been an integral part of the development of Canada’s nickel resources, including a long history working in Ontario’s Sudbury Basin, as well in Manitoba and Newfoundland & Labrador. We have been able to apply and further develop that initial expertise to deliver nickel projects around the world.