The mining, minerals, and metals industries are experiencing a tremendous boom in prices which is driving many expansion and growth projects. Coming off a decade of under-investment and downsizing project and engineering organizations has resulted in a set of major challenges for project professionals in this sector. A number of high-visibility projects have had high cost overruns and significant startup delays. In capital-intensive industries, such as the mining, minerals, and metals sectors, selecting the right project and then executing that project efficiently are keys to improving company performance.

IPA'S APPROACH TO THE MINING, MINERALS, AND METALS INDUSTRIES

During the last several years, IPA has analyzed more than 450 projects in these industries to identify the drivers of project success.

In terms of scope, these projects have included multibillion-dollar remote-site greenfield projects and small in-plant replacement and maintenance projects.

Our database contains coal, iron ore, bauxite, gold, diamond, nickel and copper mines (open pit and underground), smelters, blast furnaces, casting facilities, and metal finishing processes including grinding ball lines, galvanizing lines, tin plants, and other finished metal products. Also included in the database are environmentally driven projects connected with meeting national and local air and water regulatory requirements. The database includes projects worldwide in North and South America, Africa, and Asia.

In 2005, IPA unveiled a new tool to assess mine projects. This tool is used to assess the level of definition of a mine development at the pre-feasibility and feasibility stages.

We have quantitatively identified a set of factors that drive success for mining, minerals, and metal processing facilities. We have identified Best Practices for mine definition and downstream processing facilities. Our database enables us to make comparisons with your project across key project success metrics including safety, cost, schedule, startup duration, and operational performance.

For more information, call Fred Biery (+1 703-726-5306), or contact Rob Young (IPA Australia).