WHAT WE DO
Techno-Economic Modelling
Our techno-economic models combine best-practice engineering and economic evaluation principles to provide you with an enriched understanding of the key profitability drivers in your projects and current operations.
Investment Risk Management
We live in uncertain times, with macroeconomic trends becoming increasingly more difficult to predict. Our analysts utilise a range of stochastic tools and methods to determine the level of investment risk associated with your project and provide an evidence-based platform for decision-making that manages risk and maximises returns.
Operational & Capital Cost Estimation
Utilising a range of estimation methods such as first principles costing, we are able demonstrate what drives operating and capital costs in your operation and identify areas of optimisation to significantly improve returns. Our analysts have access to a repository of data that enables us to gauge the cost competitiveness of your project against similar benchmark operations.
Market Intelligence & Analysis
Our access to world-class market intelligence from S&P Global enables us to provide bespoke market research reports for the metals and mining sector.
Valuation, Compliance & Reporting
Our analysts have many years of experience in developing code-compliant valuation models and reports. Let us assist you in progressing your project up the value curve and demonstrating to markets the true value of your project.
Value Chain Optimisation
The ultimate goal of any business should be the maximisation of stakeholder value. By analysing your operation's internal activities, we demonstrate which ones are the most valuable in your pursuit of stakeholder value and which can be improved or eliminated. By fusing strategy with supply chain management and introducing best practice operations management techniques, we will put your operation on a journey towards sustainability.
Study Management
There is certainly no I in teamwork. You need a collection of talented individuals in order to make one harmonious masterpiece. Often times, these individuals are not readily available under one company banner. We offer the solution to this problem by outsourcing skills to a range of specialist associates. We handpick these specialists and build your dream team.
CASE STUDY
Project Waterberg
The Waterberg mine, situated in the Limpopo province of South Africa will be a fully mechanised, shallow, decline-accessed operation and is set to become one of the largest and lowest Cash Cost underground PGM mines globally. A Definitive Feasibility Study for the Waterberg mine was successfully completed in December 2019. Practara was responsible for the development of the NI43-101 code-compliant Valuation Model and life of mine Operating Cost estimate.
CASE STUDY
Project Wonderstone
Assore Ltd selected Practara to perform a strategic analysis of one of their pyrophyllite mining and manufacturing operations in South Africa. Through a process called HPHT, pyrophyllite is used as the heat and pressure transmitting medium in the manufacturing of synthetic diamonds. Assore required a view of the “art of the possible” for their operation to determine whether an investment in an aggressive growth strategy would produce a palatable business case for the company.
CASE STUDY
Project Cato
The strategic analysis for Cato Ridge considered numerous value generating opportunities, and combinations thereof, which were used to create potential futures for the Cato Ridge operations. Appropriate strategic responses were then formulated for these futures, which enabled management to make more informed decisions about the business.
CASE STUDY
Project Mara
MineScope Services, on behalf of Acacia Plc, engaged Practara to determine whether the economic life of one Acacia’s gold deposits could be extended through transitioning from open-pit to underground mining. Practara developed a PFS-level investment evaluation model as well as the accompanying life of mine operating and capital cost estimates for each option identified by the Project team.
CASE STUDY
Project Syama
Practara was appointed to conduct a pre-feasibility study into the underground materials handling opportunities at the Syama Gold Mine in Mali. The current proposed trucking system offered a viable alternative for the current decline design, but did not entirely fit the “mine of the future” strategy synonymous with Resolute Mining.
CASE STUDY
Project Thakadu
Thakadu Battery Materials is developing a project to beneficiate the impure nickel stream from Lonmin’s base metals refinery to produce pure “battery-grade” nickel sulphate for the global lithium-ion battery market. The plant will be the first commercial-scale battery-grade nickel sulphate operation in South Africa.
CASE STUDY
Project Golpu
Wafi-Golpu is an advanced Copper/Gold Greenfields project in Papua New Guinea with excellent reserves. Practara was appointed to conduct the FS-level operating cost estimate for the project’s life of mine, which was successfully completed in February 2018. As of January 2020, the project remains in the permitting phase having applied for a special mining lease from the PNG government.
Consulting - Mineral Economics - Practara