Having noted the significant achievements and successes of its involvement in several mining megaprojects in 2014, project management firm SSG Consulting says all these projects have resulted in follow-on work and the gaining of significant clients in mining-related industries.

These megaprojects include a major underground diamond mining project and mining and metals major Exxaro’s Grootegeluk Medupi Expansion Project (GMEP), both in Limpopo, as well as several coal projects for various other blue chip clients.

“SSG’s success in assisting blue chip companies to achieve their strategic goals is vital for us,” SSG Consulting CEO Steven Golding tells Mining Weekly, adding that, according to their clients, the company continues “to break new ground” with its technology innovations.

The company supplied its online project management system, KEY360, which comprises a single integrated platform and supports 15 project management knowledge areas and modules, to these projects. The system enables local and international consultants, contractors, vendors, engineers and project managers to have access to vital project documentation and information in real time.

Moreover, as SSG consistently looks to “stay ahead in the game” in terms of its solutions and technology service provision, Golding believes this focus bodes significantly well for the company in 2015, as it is paired with an increasing workload.

“Mining-related industries, such as the energy, infrastructure, rail and harbour sectors, assist the mining industry, as they serve as precursors and enablers of what is to come in terms of developing mining capacity,” Golding adds.
Mining Indaba
Having exhibited at the Investing in African Mining Indaba for the past four years, SSG will once again showcase its solutions offering at the event, which is taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from February 9 to 12.

SSG views the Mining Indaba as showcase, branding and networking opportunities.

“While SSG will exhibit all four of its business units, which comprise project consulting, project execution, KEY360 management systems and the SSG academy, KEY360 always steals the show,” Golding quips, believing that KEY360 will be a key focus area for the company.

Broadening Footprint
Golding further expects SSG’s involvement in the mining industry to continue, having been involved in the GMEP contract closeouts for Exxaro at the end of last year.

“SSG Consulting has been involved in the project since 2007 and expects to be involved with future projects for Exxaro,” Golding says, noting that the discussions regarding the company’s future involvement have started.

The company is also involved in the Tshipi Borwa manganese mine development, in the Northern Cape, in collaboration with advisory firm PwC. Manganese miner Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining is constructing the new openpit mine, in the Kalahari manganese field. The flagship project, the Tshipi Borwa mine, has been designed to produce 2.5-million tonnes a year of manganese ore grading 37%.

Meanwhile, other project achievements for SSG include the completion of Australia-based mineral sands company Mineral Commodities’ Tormin mineral sands project, on South Africa’s West Coast. Project management consultancy Obsideo Consulting requested SSG to implement KEY360 at the project.

Through KEY360, which was “instrumental in handling the project across the Indian Ocean divide”, SSG connected the client’s offices, in Cape Town, and the client’s design offices, in Perth, directly to the project site, Golding points out.

A diamond mining company also approached SSG to fully implement its KEY360 management systems for an underground project. The roll-out of KEY360 for the diamond mining company is going well and will continue into a ‘Wave 2’, which will include more functionality and new technology, Golding explains.

As part of its plans to expand the company’s footprint, SSG is opening an office in Perth, Australia, a step that Golding expects to significantly increase the company’s coverage, further highlighting that visits to China and Russia in October last year have resulted in additional, intensive steps being taken to increase SSG’s international reach.