Australia-based, interna- tionally recognised con- sultancy firm SMEC, part of SMEC Group, will officially launch its new Mining, Oil and Gas division at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba.

The division has been established to consolidate the company’s skills in providing extensive consulting services to the industry, says SMEC Mining, Oil and Gas Africa divisional manager Gerrit Brits.

“We ensure that value-added and holistic project management, infrastructural development and mining productivity solutions are provided to mining operations located worldwide,” he says.

Brits points out that the division offers a niche solution which is tailored to the client’s specifications and which will be showcased at the Indaba from February 4 to 7, in Cape Town.

“The SMEC Mining, Oil and Gas division specialises in six areas of expertise – operational improvement and cost control, optimal mining infrastructure design, mining risk-management advice, mining technology and process advice, project management and owners’ representative services, as well as social and environmental-impact assessments,” says Brits.

He points out that the group’s January 2012 acquisition of strategic mining consulting services provider GMC Global have further strengthened the capabilities of the new division moving forward.

“With GMC Global establishing an African presence from February, strategically colocated at the SMEC head office, in Johannesburg, we can gain measurable market share in this sector,” he says.

Brits says the decision to launch the division at this year’s Mining Indaba is because of the event’s high profile.

“This is our first year as a sponsor of and an exhibitor at the event and we will also be represented in the Australian lounge. “The networking opportunities that arise from this event are unparalleled and allow one to realise the magnitude of the African mining industry and all its players.”

He says the company is looking forward to having its name associated with the African mining industry.

“We would like to grow our share of the mining, oil and gas sectors to become one of the company’s major divisions over the next five years,” Brits says.