PROCONS | Home | Services | Industry | News | Contact |

Mining Consulting

Procons has provided wide range of services to mining industry. Procons provide full-service mine management consultation, mining engineering, geological services and environmental services.  These services enhance the security, profitability and competitive position of developing projects and existing mines throughout the world.

Design by Bato Inc.

Services

Services are provided to clients on a project-by-project basis and under continuous contract.  With on-going and extensive mine operational experience, Procons is strongly positioned to provide cost-effective, field proven solutions for reserve and feasibility studies, mine planning and design, mine facility planning and design, capital and operating cost analysis, equipment and systems specifications, project, and construction management. 

Mining Consulting

COAL PROCUREMENT IN THE OPEN MARKET

• Market Analysis and Price Forecasts
• Transportation Studies
• Contracting for Coal Supply
• Due Diligence Evaluation of Coal Suppliers
• Evaluation of Current and Future Production Levels
• Technical Support for Negotiations

ONGOING CONTRACT COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING

• Supplier Monitoring
• Investigation of Supply Disruptions
• Review of Coal Contract Pricing Mechanisms
• Evaluation of Coal and Transportation Contracts
• Technical Support for Arbitration
• Expert Witness Testimony
• Continuous Review of Quality Control
• Environmental and Safety Audits

COAL PROCUREMENT FROM AFFILIATED OR CAPTIVE MINING OPERATIONS

• Least-Cost Coal Supply Strategies
• Due Diligence Evaluation of Reserves and Mine Operator
• Auditing and Review of Mining Operations
• Evaluation of Reclamation Plans
• Evaluation of Audits and Accruals

Coal Transportation, Handling and Stockpiling

• Transportation Alternatives Analysis

• Advising, negotiating and monitoring contracts

• Coal handling systems audits

• Environmental and safety audits

• Quantification of metrics and benchmarking

• Optimization of daily coalyard operation

• Development of daily handling and stockpile plans

 Technical and Economical Audits

• Coal Yard Management

• Coal Yard Layout, Equipment, Manning and Schedules

• Transportation Costs and Methodology

• Lease vs. Purchase

• Capital Expenditures vs. Operations Improvements

• Essential Capital Requirements and Justifications

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Infrastructure Design

• Coal Handling Design

• Construction Drainage and Specifications

• Bids and Awards

• Construction Management

• Construction Monitoring

PROCESS DESIGN, MATERIALS HANDLING AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SERVICES

• Product Quality Assessment
• Optimized Process Flow Design
• Waste Management Planning
• Material Handling Systems Design
• Engineering Management
• Equipment Specifications and Purchasing Assistance
• Contract Documents and Contracting Assistance

PROFIT IMPROVEMENT

• Management Practices

• Mining Simulations and Productivity Improvements

• Plant Simulations and Optimization

• Energy Consumption

MINE DESIGN AND PLANNING

• Mine Design and Mining Method Analysis
• Equipment Evaluation and Selection
• Short- and Long-Range Mine Planning
• Production Sequencing and Scheduling
• Mining Cost Estimates
• Specialists in Minestar™ System Development, Implementation and Training

Mining Due Diligence

• Independent Reserve Estimates
• Mine Design and Production Plan Analyses
• Materials Handling and Processing Plant Analyses
• Environmental Plan Reviews
• Labor Force Review and Planning
• Independent Operating and Capital Cost Estimates
• Marketing and Transportation Studies
• Management and Organization Reviews
• Cash Flow Projections and Economic Analyses
• Business Plans
• Restructuring Plans

MINing Applications Development and Support

• Database Construction
• Geologic and Grade/Quality Modeling
• Resource and Mineable Reserve Estimates
• Custom Application Implementation, Training and Support

MINE DESIGN AND PLANNING

• Mine Design and Mining Method Analysis
• Equipment Evaluation and Selection
• Short-and Long-Range Mine Planning
• Production Sequencing and Scheduling
• Mining Cost Estimates
• Specialists in Minescape™ System Development, Implementation and Training
• Feasibility Studies
• Production System Design
• Quality Forecasting
• Operation and Safety Audits
• Infrastructure and Site Facility Design and Construction Management
• Mine Infrastructure System Design
• Survey Control Standards, GIS and Other Mapping Support

BANKABLE FEASIBILITY STUDIES

• Conceptual Mine Designs and Alternative Production Plans
• Conceptual Process Plant and Materials Handling Designs
• Market and Transportation Studies
• Economic and Financial Analyses

MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

• Mine and Mining Business Valuations
• Mining Project Risk Analysis
• Evaluation and Acquisition of Major Assets
• Mine Restructuring Plans
• Resource Planning and Optimization
• Asset Disposal and Crisis Management

MINE MANAGEMENT/OPERATIONS REVIEWS

• Review of Equipment and Manpower Utilization
• Mining System Evaluation
• Procedures and Operations Training
• Strategic Planning Review
• Supply and Demand Studies, Competitor Reviews
• Project Management

MINCOM APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT

• Database Construction
• Geologic and Grade/Quality Modeling
• Resource and Mineable Reserve Estimates
• Customized Minestar Scheduling Models
• Custom Application Implementation, Training and Support

PROCESS DESIGN, MATERIALS HANDLING AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SERVICES

• Product Quality Assessment
• Optimized Process Flow Design
• Waste Management Planning
• Material Handling Systems Design
• Engineering Management
• Equipment Specifications and Purchasing Assistance
• Contract Documents and Contracting Assistance

As long as coal is delivered to bunkers, coal-handling operations at power stations are not in the spotlight: management is focused on the obvious high-cost factors such as coal prices. The result? Power stations spend hundreds of thousands annually, thereby reducing profits or passing profit reductions to ratepayers. Procons curtails wasteful expenditure with a technical and economic audit.

COAL TRANSPORTATION, HANDLING AND STOCKPILING

• Advising, Negotiating and Monitoring Contracts
• Coal Handling Systems Audits
• Environmental and Safety Audits
• Quantification of Metrics and Benchmarking
• Optimization of Daily Coalyard Operation
• Development of Daily Handling and Stockpile Plans

AUDITS TYPICALLY COVER:

• Stockpile handling methodology
• Stockpile configuration, active and inactive storage areas
• Haul distances and handled/rehandled coal volumes
• Shift, Equipment and Conveyor time: hours scheduled vs. hours used productively
• Bunker-filling (both timing and duration)
• Train handling
• Capacity of existing conveyor system, as used
• Effectiveness of supervision, maintenance and stockpile planning
• Identification of potential cost-reducing improvements in all areas
• And more….

FOLLOWING THE SITE VISITS, THE TYPICAL AUDIT ANALYSIS COVERS:

• Optimum shift scheduling needs and manning requirements
• Optimum stockpile configuration and location for both active and inactive piles
• Optimum haulage patterns
• Actual mobile equipment requirements
• Optimum conveyor and bunker-fill schedules
• Maximum practical throughput capacity of existing conveying
• System upgrade methodology and capacity, with minimum capital requirements
• Estimate: timing, money, organization and manning to ascertain appropriate remedial programs to achieve cost reduction

Europe
Procons provided technical support to the client in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation of several coal contract issues with major coal suppliers. Bato provided expert reports and affidavits regarding coal quality, costs, and coal market issues.

Canada
Procons personnel served as expert witnesses providing technical support to the client during international arbitration proceedings with the coal buyer.  The arbitration concerned a price reopener for a 5 million tonne per year long term metallurgical coal supply contract. This was a major arbitration which took place over a period of two years.  The arbitration process came to completion and a judgment was produced by the arbitration panel.  The judgment was considered to be favorable to Procon’s client. A price was set which was significantly above world market price.

United States
Procons computerized geologic and quality models and mine plans, productions schedules were used in preparation for the arbitration. Procons provided testimony regarding the adequacy of geologic data, mine plans and sulfur compliance capability.  This arbitration was settled prior to completion of the arbitration process. Procons provided expert testimony on mine planning, operations and economics.  The arbitration process came to completion and a judgment was produced by the arbitration panel.The arbitration panel awarded a significant reduction in fuel price in favor of Procons client.

Procons provided technical assistance to the client in a review of mine planning and coal quality contractual issues.  This included a review of prior and future operations.  The arbitration was settled with a favorable outcome to Procon’s client. Expert Witness in a dispute involving diligent mining of coal reserves.  Reported and testified on coal reserve estimates, mine plans, and prudent mining practices.
Provided independent professional assessment of the impact of mining activities. Procons provided technical assistance to the law firm retained by the plaintiff in assisting their client in a civil litigation case involving longwall mining equipment, and the diligent mine operating and maintenance practices thereof.  The case was resolved in favor of Procon’s client prior to going to trial.

Procons provided technical expert advice to the law firm retained by the defendant in a civil litigation case involving personal injury to the plaintiff.  Bato offered technical advice and expertise to the defendant’s legal team regarding the proper operational and maintenance practices of longwall mining equipment.  In part because of this advice, the case was settled with the plaintiff prior to coming to trial. Procons provided an expert witness report to the client in an arbitration case pertaining to a lost coal claim between the client and the mine operator. Procons developed a reasonable and economic mine plan for the amount of lost coal that increased the value of the claim by 53%.  The case is still pending to be heard before the arbitration panel.

Bato provided extensive technical support and expert witness testimony related to numerous coal supply issues and investigated conflicting claims regarding:

• Productivity assumptions versus actual productivity achieved.

• Geologic and geotechnical factors influencing total production and productivity

• Prudent staffing levels throughout the mining operation

• Impacts of age, size and other factors on staffing and productivity

Provided expert witness testimony on quarry mining operations and exploration, permitting and development aspects on a multi-million ton per year surface mine.

Reviewed historical records of 17-year old mining operation including land, geology, surface and groundwater hydrology, baseline environmental studies, permit documents and postmine reclamation of this surface mining operation, which supplies lignite as fuel for an on-site power generating facility.  Produced assessment of the status of reclamation and compliance with state and federal regulatory agencies requirements.

Dragline Simulations

Numerous industries benefit from Procon's expansive services including coal, metals, industrial minerals, oil sands, power producers and financial institutions.  Within these service areas, Procons has the experienced personnel to complement any project. 

Coal

DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND EXPERT WITNESS

• Forensic Analysis of Mine Engineering, Operations and Management
• Coal Contract Analysis
• Coal Supply Contract Negotiation, Mediation and Litigation Support

Oil Sands

Procons provide full-service mining, geological and geotechnical consulting, environmental and project management services to the oil sands industry. Procons has more then 10 years of operating experience in the mining industry with broad expertise in oil sands, coal, precious and base metal mining. Throughout its history Procons has developed and maintained several major clients in the oil sands industry including Syncrude, Suncor and Albian Sands.

MINE DESIGN AND PLANNING

• Mine Design and Mining Method Analysis

• Equipment Evaluation and Selection

• Short-and Long-Range Mine Planning

• Production Sequencing and Scheduling

• Mining Cost Estimates

• Surpac, Mincom, Minesight and Vulcan Software Experience

MINE TAILINGS

• Tailings Scheduling and Sequencing

• Tailings Dam Design

• Tailings Characterization

• Tailings Beaching Behavior Studies

GEOLOGICAL SERVICES

• Ore Reserve Estimation

• Core Logging and Description

• Overburden Classification

• Subsurface Sampling

GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES

• Slope Stability Analysis

• Foundation Engineering

• Earth / Rock Dump Design

• Heap Leach Pad Design

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

• Environmental Baseline Studies

• Reclamation Planning and Monitoring

• Geographical Information System (GIS) Services

• Compliance Monitoring

Metals

Procons has the capability to provide a full suite of engineering services from exploration drilling through geological interpretation, reserve estimation, mine planning, reclamation and closure for the metals sector. Procons uses the latest innovations in mine planning software and has personnel who are experienced is running a wide variety of software including Vulcan, MEDSYSTEM, Mincom, Surpac, Whittle, XPAC, and SurvCADD. Procons is committed to adding value for clients by using a group of experienced professionals who are highly skilled at matching the client needs with the right resources. Personnel at Procons have a strong background in metals operations including engineering, operations and senior level management. Procons has experience with numerous banking and financial investment institutions and fully understands what is required for pre-feasibility and bankable feasibility studies.

Exploration and Drilling Programs

• Analyze Existing Mines and Projects
• Exploration Data Analysis
• Perform Preliminary Geologic Reconnaissance Programs, Geologic Mapping, Geochemical and Geophysical Program Planning and Supervision
• Perform Property Evaluations and Preliminary Environmental Fatal Flaw Investigations
• Drilling Program Design and Management
• Write Bid Proposals for Drilling Contractors, Logistics Support and Analytical Laboratories
• Establish Communications Systems
• Provide Qualified Geologists to Log Core or Cuttings, Select Samples and Prepare for Analysis

Reserve/Resource Estimation

• Interpretation and Development of Geologic Models
• Geostatistical Analysis of Data for Grade Estimation
• Develop and Input Cost/Revenue Data for all Reserve Blocks
• Calculate Economically Based Reserves and Resources
• Reconciliation of Reserve Models to Actual Mine Production

Geotechnical Analysis

• Geotechnical Assessment of Conditions (Geology, Structure, Rock Strength, Rock Quality, Ground Water, and Natural Hazards)
• Provide Definitive Slope Recommendations and Work Practices
• Development of Underground Hazard Maps

Open Pit Optimization

• Develop Economically Based Ultimate Reserve Pit (LG/Whittle)
• Evaluate Ore Cut Off Criteria
• Evaluate and Develop Ore Stockpiling Alternatives
• Design Pit Phases to Maximize NPV and/or Other Production Constraints
• Sequence Mining Production for Optimum Mine and Mill Performance

Underground Mining Services

• Infrastructure and Site Facility Design and Construction Management
• Mine Dewatering Program Design and Implementation
• Mine Ventilation Systems Design
• Selection of Underground Mining Method
• Pillar Design, Subsidence and Other Ground Control Evaluations

 Mine Planning and Development

• Feasibility Studies

• Production System Design
• Evaluation, Selection and Specification of Mining Equipment
• Ore Quality Forecasting
• Operation and Safety Audits
• Infrastructure and Site Facility Design and Construction Management
• Mine Infrastructure System Design
• Survey Control Standards, GIS and other mapping Support

Mine Management/Operations Support

• Equipment Justification and Optimization

• Review of Equipment and Manpower Utilization
• Safety and Operation Audits
• Contract Documents and Contract Assistance
• Procedures and Operations Training
• Strategic Planning Reviews
• Project Management
• Management Evaluations
• Productivity Benchmarking
• Resource Asset Management Services (RAMS)

Economic Analysis

• Capital Cost Forecast/Analysis
• Operating Cost Forecast/Analysis
• Project NPV and DCF/ROI Calculations
• Equipment and Facility Evaluations
• Valuation of Mineral Resources

Environmental

• Site Characterization
• Mine Permitting
• Baseline Studies
• Environmental Audits
• Reclamation Planning and Compliance Monitoring

CLIENTS

• Albian Sands Energy Inc., Calgary, Alberta
• Amoco Petroleum Company Ltd., Calgary, Alberta
• ATCO Gas, Fort McMurray, Alberta
• Atofina, Brussels, Belgium
• B.C. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, Victoria, B.C.
• Canadian Natural Resources Limited
• Chevron Canada Resources, Calgary, Alberta
• ConocoPhillips
• Fluor-Daniel Canada Inc., Fort McMurray, Alberta

NEWS

Pending.

CONTACT

Contact for any services.