Project delivery company Worley is leading the way in mining technology in Southern Africa with swift technological advancements that match the requirements of a new digital age. The global professional services provider is uniquely positioned to assist junior miners in creating cost-effective, fit-for-purpose solutions to assist with funding opportunities and development of solid business cases for investment.

With this year’s Junior Indaba focusing on the forward momentum of emerging miners and exploration in South Africa, Worley will be showcasing its leading-edge data management and digital solutions that can create a more enabling environment for mining entrepreneurs.

The advent of digitalisation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution has coincided with a growing interest in global resources that will be required during the transition to a low-carbon economy, as well as a lean towards smaller mining projects to secure a sustainable future. While this bodes well for junior miners, developing fundable business cases remains a hurdle to many.

Worley Front End Solutions, Mining, Minerals and Metals (MM&M) Processing managing consultant for the EMEA region Mervyn Stevens says that one of the biggest challenges junior miners face is the time and knowledge it takes to develop a solid business case for investment. “Early decision-making is crucial to junior miners as they lack the finances to sustain long timelines. Worley can offer cost-effective solutions as well as help build a strong business case swiftly to obtain investor funding,” he explains. As the front end solutions arm of Worley MM&M, the front end team integrates strategy, management and technical consulting expertise with deep domain knowledge, backed by real-world experience. Consequently, they have the capacity to provide junior miners with on-hand technical knowledge as well as in-depth techno-financial analysis.

Other proprietary data management tools such as the Stepwise process makes it possible for Worley to expediently create option analyses to assist junior miners and prospective funders in making strategic investment decisions, as well as Worley’s integrated design project tools to create a living digital twin of a facility that can reduce risk and improve productivity on a project. 

Worley MM&M senior VP for the EMEA region Denver Dreyer comments that while organisations across the globe stand the risk of becoming obsolete if they do not keep up with the demands of a new digital age, the challenge lies not in obtaining the data but in how to use it to add real value to operations. “Digitalisation is inevitable and Worley has the knowledge and expertise to help customers map these unchartered waters,” says Dreyer.  

Stevens adds that Worley’s long history of innovation and strong digital reputation has an advantageous impact on investor confidence. “Rapid prototyping is particularly suited to mining entrepreneurs as we are able to present potential financial backers with a visually smart model very early in the project development process,” he comments.

Worley then facilitates the process further by positioning junior miners with prospective funders, while junior miners can have confidence in the backing of a reputable and experienced organisation. This allows solid foundations to be built at project inception to garner investor confidence and ensure success across the life of the project. “Often capital funding is required by junior miners at the outset of a project and Worley can assist potential investors in better understanding the degree of risk involved,” explains Stevens.

Worley’s front end mining solutions costing is also among the best in business with hours billed intelligently using the latest technologies and proven knowledge and processes. “Projects are set at a fixed price and we complete the scope of work within a specified timeframe,” says Stevens, adding that the organisation focuses on completing work quickly and efficiently to avoid unnecessary costs.

“We understand and support the enthusiasm and vision of junior miners as well as the leading role they play in potentially bringing digital enhancements to the traditional mining environment. This will ultimately help modernise the mining industry as we move into the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Stevens concludes. 

The Junior Indaba will take place on June 4 and 5 at the Johannesburg Country Club and is known for its straight-talking and frank discussions around the junior mining sector in Africa. Local and international experts will present their views on the African junior mining landscape, the latest political and regulatory changes, and what can be done to achieve a thriving exploration and junior mining sector.

Worley provides engineering solutions to the world’s changing energy, chemicals and resources needs, offering global sector leadership across hydrocarbons, chemicals and minerals and metals.