Introduction

The mining industry represents about $50 billion a year, or about 4% of Canada’s GDP. Although appearing to be only a small part of the overall economy, mining is crucial for a number of reasons:
• It is the prime employer in a very large number of Canadian communities.
• It was and is used by the federal government to develop access to remote regions.
• It supports the development of spin-off, supplier industries – including transportation, utilities, construction, manufacturing and industrial development – and supplies them with raw materials for manufacture.

Though Canada is recognized as a world leader in many resource extraction activities, its resource extraction industry is not as competitive as many off-shore locations, due to its more stringent environmental regulations and the higher cost of labour.

Drivers

Mining development and production is tied to the global consumption of raw materials. Prices for mined materials fluctuate with supply and demand. World pricing – in foreign currencies – is the main driver for resource extraction management, determining the creation of new mines, and the production rates of existing mining operations.  New mine development is also tied to global and local construction industry costs, such as the price of steel and fuel. Recent increases in the price of steel and fuel has delayed development in several geographic locations in Canada.

Outlook

Demand for base metals and minerals is strong, fuelled partly by economic expansion in China and other Eastern countries. The demand for gold and other precious metals and minerals is also strong, fuelled by currency and economic turbulence.

Changing Client Needs

Mining and related companies will need to deal effectively with constantly changing mining regulatory frameworks, ranging from initiatives such as the Kyoto protocol, to changes in the local regulatory frameworks.

Bato has serviced mining clients in Canada for several years, following the philosophy of partnering with clients, and helping them succeed by adding value. While a small player in the industry, we offer high value services such as:

Mining Services

Mining Pro's team offers a comprehensive range of services for the industry covering every phase of mining. We have worked on a wide variety of mineral, metal and coal mines located in diverse project settings and environments. Our technical expertise is broad ranging, and we have successfully completed many mining assignments in the following principal areas:

Environment and Permitting
Site Characterization
Geotechnical Designs
Mine Engineering
Integrated Cost Estimating
Construction Quality Control and Assurance
Review and Risk Assessment
Closure Planning

Mining Pro's mining and geotechnical engineers are known for their common-sense approach and have delivered innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions to our mining clients. The following principal services are offered for your projects:

Environmental and Permitting

Mining Pro provides geo-environmental and hydrotechnical services to complement our core geotechnical and mining engineering expertise. These services are aimed at new projects that require base-line environmental assessments, water quality, and assessments for permitting. Our engineers and scientists are well-versed in the permitting needs of mining projects and have prepared permit application documents in a number of jurisdictions and on a number of projects.
In contrast to companies that solely provide environmental expertise, Bato's environmental services are stronger, more comprehensive as a result of our fundamental understanding of mining and our practical expertise from projects completed around the world.

Site Characterization

From detailed air photo interpretation to designing and implementing effective field programs, Mining Pro can provide the foundation for well-defined site characterization. This important step in the assessment of project alternatives is frequently overlooked or taken too lightly during the pre-development phase -- often to the detriment of project economics. The selection of an optimal location, and subsequent design of key infrastructure, impacts on overall project risks and economics; our approach is to optimize the alternatives for the big-picture by thoroughly understanding the site.

Geotechnical Designs

Geotechnical designs for the mining industry have been the core of our mining services to date. Mining Pro's engineers have a solid grounding in the design requirements for a variety of structures, foundations, slopes and excavations. We are known for providing practical geotechnical alternatives for development and operations.
State-of-the-practice designs are analyzed using computer models to calculate and demonstrate stability and estimated factors of safety. In conjunction with our depth of experience on a wide variety of projects and geotechnical conditions, we offer design services for the following:

• Infrastructure and plant-site foundations
• Access roads and pipelines
• Tailings impoundments
• Waste dumps
• Open pit development

From conceptual to final designs, we offer complete project services including reporting, specifying, and preparation of design drawings.
 

Mine Engineering

Mining Pro offers mine design and engineering services that are integrated with our geotechnical and geo-environmental knowledge and expertise. We have dubbed this our common-sense approach to mine design, and it ensures that the overall project objectives are met. In contrast to mining projects that suffer from a lack of insight and diligence, we have often exceeded the design and operating objectives of our clients with big-picture thinking.
Our mining engineers and geologists can provide open pit and underground designs based on drill data, geologic interpretation and block models. We use state-of-the-art computer software for pit optimization and underground design. Scheduling of production and innovative ways of developing the mine are also key components to delivering effective mine plans.

Integrated Cost Estimating

With a depth of hands-on experience and understanding of the mining industry, Mining Pro can provide accurate project costing for a variety of mining tasks. From underground and open pit mining to earthworks construction, we have provided reliable cost estimates for projects at various stages of engineering, development and operations.

Construction QA/QC

Providing construction quality control and assurance requires a thorough knowledge of the design and specifications, particularly for geotechnical constraints on a project when a practical, experienced-based approach is needed to ensure the project is completed on time and on budget.
Mining Pro's engineers have "hands-on" experience with mining and heavy civil projects involving complex earthworks, rock excavations, stabilization, pile foundations, and concrete structures.

Review and Risk Assessment

Over the past several years, Mining Pro has developed a comprehensive risk assessment service for the mining industry. Merged with our geotechnical expertise based on a large number of projects, risk assessment can highlight problem areas for operators in advance of serious impacts and significant costs. Our work at a number of operations has demonstrated valuable improvements and minimized overall project and operating risk for companies.

Closure Planning

Closure planning is a mandatory component of any mine plan and is required for mine permit applications in most jurisdictions. Mining Pro provides closure planning services for integration with mine planning. By integrating this service, we can minimize costs for operations and reduce the overall long-term impact of the project. A good closure plan is one that fits with the big picture; it recognizes the geotechnical, geo-environmental, and hydrotechnical character of the site and effectively schedules the development of facilities to be practically reclaimed.

Over the past 10 years Mining Pro staff have carried out mining consulting work for the many clients.

Projects Accomplished