Global engineering consultant Aurecon intends to add renewed focus to its advisory service by 2017, particularly on supply chain and asset management, by providing a more customer-centric offering for the struggling mining industry.

“Our strategy is to live in our clients’ operations to better understand the issues that are impacting on their businesses,” highlights Aurecon resources market director Dr Eduard Vorster.

He explains that the work-in-progress initiative is, with the help of Aurecon’s senior representatives, seeing the adoption of a client- centric approach. The chosen representatives are engaging regularly with clients to provide them with comprehensive support.

Building partnerships with clients contributes to bringing about total solutions to the mining industry, adds Vorster.

The external drivers affecting the industry’s business plans and the execution thereof include policy imperatives, energy and water security, social licence to operate, the demands of broad-based black economic empowerment, localisation, risk management, training, health and safety management and changing economic conditions.

Vorster says Aurecon’s advisory service provides clients with teams of highly skilled professionals, whether it be business planning, project execution, asset management or planning the end of the life of a project.

The company further provides expertise to define mine closure strategies and review ongoing plans, as well as manage closure, care-and-maintenance or life extension plans. This involves programme management, technical support, the socioeconomic impact and interactions of elements affecting businesses, as well as environmental and financial modelling. Aurecon also provides training using in-house modules or applying client training modules including an award-winning risk management team advising clients at various stages from early business planning and implementation to managing existing assets, project closure and opportunities beyond that point.