Latest news with #SRKConsulting
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: GISTM compliance crucial for sustainable mining water management
Mining operations should focus more on water stewardship when complying with Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). To align closely with water stewardship principles, there should be an emphasis on effective engagement and collaboration between mines and their stakeholders. 'The GISTM approach to responsible tailings management includes an appreciation that a mine's water footprint and its tailings storage facilities (TSFs) have impacts well beyond the mine's licence area,' says Lindsay Shand, partner and principal environmental geologist at SRK Consulting South Africa. 'The standard calls for engagement with stakeholders in the broader water catchment area, or basin.' Beyond the border She highlights that mines will often develop their water management plans (WMPs) with a limited focus on the area within the mine's boundaries. However, this goes only part of the way towards achieving the real goal of these plans – which is to mitigate operational risk and the potential impact on adjacent landowners and downstream water users, as well as to protect the environment. 'A water stewardship approach broadens a mine's appreciation of factors outside of its immediate site boundary, extending to its zone of influence, which need to be considered when managing water responsibly,' she explains. 'The approach emphasises proactive and ongoing collaboration among water users within a catchment, ensuring that their operations and plans are more holistic and sustainable.' Franciska Lake, partner and principal environmental scientist at SRK Consulting SA, points out that – from an operational perspective – the management of water and TSFs on mines are closely linked, as water from the TSFs is usually captured and re-used in the mining operations. Lake highlights that the GISTM requires mines to take a holistic approach in managing TSFs, whether in terms of engineering, water management or stakeholder engagement. The importance of effective water management According to Kavandren Moodley, principal environmental scientist at SRK Consulting SA, water management is intricately linked to several key principles of the GISTM. 'The GISTM's principle 3, which mandates the integration of all elements of the tailings-related knowledge base, has direct implications for water management,' says Moodley. 'This knowledge base must encompass not only technical data, but also social, environmental and local economic factors, many of which influence – or are influenced by – water use.' He notes that technology and monitoring – key aspects of the GISTM's principle 5 – are particularly pertinent to managing water-related risks. 'Real-time water quality monitoring, for instance, enables earlier detection of anomalies on TSFs, significantly enhancing risk mitigation,' he says. 'The principles of water stewardship are deeply ingrained throughout the GISTM and are pivotal in identifying and mitigating risks.' A water stewardship approach helps mines to proactively address risks such as contamination, seepage and water imbalance, contributing to sustainable outcomes for both the facility and surrounding ecosystems. Considering the broader hydrogeological basin The GISTM has also informed other important industry frameworks, such as the 2023 International Council on Mining and Metals' (ICMM) Water Stewardship Maturity Framework. This emphasises that mines understand cumulative impacts related to water management, according to SRK Consulting SA senior environmental scientist Giulia Barr. 'Beyond the mine itself, water management needs to consider the broader hydrogeological basin and the potential impacts of climate change,' says Barr. 'This means that mine's WMP will look at how they affect other users, and how other sites in the catchment might affect the mine.' The ICMM and Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard require that the key stakeholders within a catchment are identified, and information on water usage patterns is gathered. Working together 'This opens the door to engagement and possible collaboration in applying best practice principles to meet key water stewardship outcomes,' she says. Shand added that water stewardship principles enhance the knowledge base required by the GISTM, through information on downstream users and the potential short-term and long-term consequences of TSF failure. 'Depending on the nature and chemistry of tailings, the consequences of failure can be more accurately assessed with more data from downstream stakeholders,' she says. 'This might include the impact of land and water contamination into the future – even beyond the immediate recovery from a TSF incident.'
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Unlocking DRC's mining potential through global standards adoption
A leading producer of copper and cobalt, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is also seeing exploration interest in commodities such as gold and lithium. As the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) works towards leveraging its mining sector for broader economic upliftment, it will need to support the raising of standards across a wide range of mining disciplines. Pictured: The Manono-Kitotolo lithium project in the DRC For instance, the Manono-Kitotolo lithium project is reported to contain 120 million tons of lithium ore at a grade of 0,6%. Production from this source could reach 720,000 tons of lithium, and there are also tailings from historical tin mining at Manono that could augment this figure. But as the DRC works towards leveraging its mining sector for broader economic upliftment, it will need to support the raising of standards across a wide range of mining disciplines. Global standards This is clear from the themes of sustainability, transformation and attracting global investment, which are prominent in the upcoming DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi in June, according to Dominique Sambwa, chairman of SRK Consulting Congo. 'Recent development and investment in cities like Lubumbashi and Kolwezi show that mining is already having a significant impact on DRC's economy, infrastructure and future. 'To maintain its positive momentum, the mining sector needs to adopt and apply international standards – to underpin its operational resilience while also making it more attractive to investors and financial institutions," says Sambwa. Since we established an SRK Consulting practice in the DRC 15 years ago, we have seen a growing trend towards embracing higher standards in the mining sector,' adds Wouter Jordaan, partner and principal environmental consultant at SRK Consulting South Africa – also a director of SRK Congo. 'We have been proud to contribute by applying global standards through our work in the country, including exploration, resource estimation, mine planning, environmental permitting and social engagement.' He noted that the adoption of geological codes helped to ensure accurate and reliable resource and reserve estimations for companies' mineral assets in the DRC. This benefited investors by building confidence in the local business environment and also assisted other stakeholders like government departments responsible for regulating and taxing the minerals sector. He highlights that the company's local team of professionals, working with their SRK colleagues in practices around the world, were able to provide a range of technical and strategic skills on the ground, while also nurturing younger professionals in the consulting field. Compliance requirements for responsible mining Vis Reddy, chairman of SRK Consulting South Africa, pointed out that international financial institutions have been among the key players introducing compliance requirements for responsible mining. 'Organisations like these place scrutiny on the policies and practices of mining companies in the DRC who are looking for financing for their projects,' says Reddy. 'For instance, they place greater focus on the ESG aspects of mining, and how companies were addressing these impacts.' All these factors have been positive influences on the evolution of mining in the DRC, he says, but these requirements and goals also needed to be driven by experienced scientists and engineers who could turn the theory into practice. 'SRK has been able to contribute our experience from the mining sector elsewhere in Africa and beyond, as well as learning from our depth of local knowledge in the DRC,' says Reddy. 'Understanding best practice in various mining-related disciplines also allows us to assist clients to meet global standards, so that they are better placed to meet changing legal requirements in countries like the DRC.' Social impact A key area of regulatory evolution in the DRC has been in the field of social impact, according to Jordaan. This has required innovations in areas such as exploration, tailings management, social development initiatives and mine closure. 'It is well accepted globally that the benefits of mining should be actively leveraged to uplift and diversify the host economy,' he says. 'This is an approach taken by governments and the leading international mining bodies such as the International Council on Mining and Minerals.' He notes that the effective implementation of this imperative can only be achieved when progress is built on consistent quality and high standards, ensuring the viability and longevity of the mining projects that generate and share value with their supply chain and other stakeholders. 'This dedication to high standards applies to all aspects of mining, and even beyond mining to the many industrial and commercial developments that spring up as a result of mineral development,' Jordaan explains. 'Fields such as infrastructure development, waste management and water stewardship are all essential to a growing economy, creating an ecosystem for wide-spread economic and social development.' DRC-China-SA collaboration With the growing presence of many China-based mining companies in the DRC, a collaboration initiative was launched between SRK Consulting teams in China, the DRC and South Africa in 2022. According to Frank Li, director and principal geologist in SRK Consulting's Beijing practice, this cooperation has been successful in assisting Chinese clients to meet their compliance requirements in terms of both local legislation and global standards. Li, who travels regularly between Beijing, Lubumbashi and Johannesburg as part of this collaboration, noted that SRK's role in the DRC has expanded well beyond its technical services and into international standards compliance. 'Clients are generally committed to compliance, but the process can be slow and confusing due to its complexity. 'Many of our clients have financiers who require compliance with one standard, while their supply chain might prefer another," says Li. The collaboration between SRK practices also contributed to insights regarding decarbonisation, which many mining companies were pursuing as a strategic imperative. Li said that electric haul trucks, for instance, were already being used in fixed-route applications at harbours around China – with a simple battery-exchange process. 'As consultants, we continuously monitor these pioneering technologies and ensure that our mining clients know what is available – in case one or more of these could be relevant to their needs,' says Li.
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Optimised Toro Energy scoping study powers up WA uranium economics
Toro Energy has supercharged the project financials for its Lake Maitland uranium project near Wiluna in Western Australia, unveiling an updated scoping study forecasting a low-cost, long-life mining operation. The latest numbers paint an encouraging picture for a standalone operation, improving its historic net present value (NPV) by 9 per cent to a hefty $908 million while slashing the project's payback period to 1.5 years. The updated study was driven by a refined resource estimate and re-optimised pit design, allowing for a robust internal rate of return of 56 per cent on an estimated capital expenditure of $298M. The study was completed by mining experts at SRK Consulting and metallurgical specialists Strategic Metallurgy to leverage a strong uranium price of US$85 (A$130) per pound and a vanadium price of US$5.67 per pound. The assumptions align with what the company believes is a bullish projected uranium market, buoyed by supply shortages, geopolitical tensions and growing demands for clean nuclear energy. Toro says its Lake Maitland project is forecast to produce 1.3 million pounds (Mlbs) of uranium and 0.75Mlbs of vanadium annually during a 16.3-year mine life, totalling a substantial 22Mlbs of uranium and 12.3Mlbs of vanadium. The company says its operating costs are a standout, with C1 cash costs pegged at just US$15.46 per pound of uranium in the first five years, rising to US$22.67 over the life of mine. The all-in sustaining costs are equally competitive at US$20.68 per pound initially and US$28.37 over the life of the mine. Total EBITDA is projected at a huge $2.33 billion, with undiscounted pre-tax cash flows of $1.96B, averaging $120M annually. The study builds on a re-estimated resource at Lake Maitland of 33.3Mt grading 403 parts per million (ppm) uranium oxide for 29.6Mlbs contained uranium and 50Mt at 285ppm vanadium oxide for 31.4Mlbs contained vanadium. The shallow hosted, clay-dominated resource contains both uranium and vanadium, with a strong 83 per cent correlation between the two, offering a strategic by-product bonus. Toro's mining plan is straightforward, using conventional open-pit truck-and-shovel methods with minimal drill-and-blast due to the unconsolidated clay host. The high-grade core will be mined first to maximise early cash flows. The company says it is confident it can secure traditional debt and equity financing thanks to its partnership with Japanese giants JAURD and ITOCHU, which could earn a 35 per cent stake in Lake Maitland for $60M upon a positive definitive feasibility study. Lake Maitland's low costs and high margins make it stand out in a tightening market, should ancient regulations around uranium mining in WA ever be lifted. With the scoping study complete and feasibility work on the horizon, Toro is charging towards project funding as it navigates political winds and, no doubt, hoping its Lake Maitland can cornerstone WA's uranium revival.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Integrating technical solutions with ESG to advance modern African economies
Good technical solutions lie at the heart of mining and industrial projects that are advancing modern African economies. Good technical solutions lie at the heart of mining and industrial projects that are advancing modern African economies says Andrew van Zyl, managing director of SRK Consulting (South Africa) This is according to Andrew van Zyl, managing director of SRK Consulting (South Africa), who emphasises the alignment with global standards as key to helping clients reach and maintain the highest level of performance and best practice in their operations. Africa Day (Sunday, 25 May) highlights the importance of building resilient economies for social transformation, and the nurturing of consulting engineering expertise across various disciplines will be vital to paving a path to inclusive growth. Evolving regulations 'Technical excellence and high standards rely on experienced and multidisciplinary teams of professionals who can deliver integrity, independence and rigour in their work.' 'When delivering good technical solutions, it is also crucial to consider the regulatory and community context, as these increasingly impact the final result,' he says. He notes, for instance, that a common theme in the industry is the rapidly evolving regulations relating to water, environment, sustainability and governance factors - including the rapid evolution of voluntary and compulsory reporting and requirements and the need for compliance and alignment. Companies like SRK are frequently involved in helping clients to update themselves on these requirements, and to apply them to planned projects to ensure alignment and compliance. Avoiding fatal flaws 'This invariably means the early involvement of environmental, social and governance (ESG) specialists who can work in close collaboration with various technical disciplines,' he explains. 'This lays the foundations for smooth and predictable permitting, so that projects can stay on schedule and avoid fatal flaws.' He points out that most of Africa's leading companies have ambitious sustainability targets, further reinforcing the need for multidisciplinary teams to include ESG professionals to ensure that technical solutions integrate with a range of sustainability concerns. Climate change 'Clients must also be able to monitor and measure their operations and interventions,' he says. 'With the application of digital and other technologies, consulting engineers are playing an important role in helping clients to gather relevant data and to use it to drive their sustainability agendas.' Climate change considerations are being factored into projects right from the design stage, so that future environmental conditions can be modelled and designs adjusted appropriately. There have been growing numbers of high rainfall events in South Africa, for example, which place additional strain on infrastructure. Professional platforms To foster the necessary expertise for high quality projects, professionals in various engineering and scientific disciplines are not only passing on their experience to younger entrants but are building their institutions for the good of broader society. Being a company of professional natural scientists and engineers, SRK Consulting (SA) belongs to various industry and professional bodies and contributes to the overall practice of the different professions. 'We are involved on the council of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, for instance, as well as on the committees that manage the SAMREC and SAMVAL reporting codes and bodies such as the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA),' he says. 'We encourage our staff to get involved in professional organisations and events, especially knowledge sharing through talks and conferences. 'Through being active members of these bodies, we can help keep them relevant to industry needs through ongoing innovation and raising professional standards.' Helping standards evolve By promoting standards through its ongoing project work, SRK Consulting (SA) has been part of the process of guiding the practical application and evolution of standards. In terms of aspects such as reporting standards, its close collaboration with the relevant bodies means that it has a good understanding of how to apply these standards. This allows the company's professionals to provide important feedback from the market on how to keep requirements manageable and realistic. 'An interesting aspect of our work is that it often has not only a local component but a regional or even multi-national component,' he says. 'A mining project in the DRC will be driven by our Lubumbashi office but may draw in specialists from South Africa or Ghana. 'Where the owner of the project is based in China, our work may also involve experts from one of our offices in China.' Quality design Van Zyl acknowledges that there is considerable change and uncertainty in the market currently, but he highlighted that good engineering design underpins every successful project. Such design quality ensures cost-effective solutions that reduce waste and minimise risk to communities and staff. 'These factors remain a priority for clients throughout Africa, irrespective of the prevailing economic, social and political climate,' he says.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Greenhawk Options Its Greenland Properties and Cancels Outstanding Stock Options
TORONTO, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greenhawk Resources Inc. ('Greenhawk' or the "Company") (CSE: GRHK) announces that it has executed an arms-length Option and Joint Venture Agreement (the 'Option Agreement') with 1531323 BC Ltd. ('1531323 BC') to advance the exploration and development of Greenhawk's Greenland properties, which include the Storø and Qingaaq mineral exploration licenses (the 'Properties'). Under the Option Agreement, 1531323 BC is granted an option to acquire an 80% interest in the Properties in exchange for: (a) an upfront payment of $100,000, which shall be paid within 90 days, and (b) incurring $1,400,000 in spending at the Properties within 24 months according to the following schedule. Payment Period Minimum Expenditures Within 6 months of the Closing Date Minimum of $450,000 Within 12 months of the Closing Date Minimum of $350,000 Within 18 months of the Closing Date Minimum of $300,000 Within 24 months of the Closing Date Minimum of $300,000 Total: Minimum of $1,400,000 1531323 BC will be responsible for the operations of the Properties while the Option Agreement is in effect. If 1531323 BC satisfies the expenditure requirement at the Properties, the Company and 1531323 BC will establish a joint venture for the exploration and development of the Properties. The Storø project ('Storø') is a 12 km² license which hosts an inferred mineral resource estimated in 2021 by SRK Consulting (Sweden) AB at 885,000 tonnes, grading 3.4 g/t Au and totaling 95,000 oz of gold Mineral Resources. The Mineral Resource has a cut-off grade of 0.8 g/t Au for material located within the conceptual open-pit shell and 2.5 g/t Au for underground Mineral Resources located below the pit shell. Since 1995, a total of 102 drillholes totaling 17,371 m have been drilled into the known mineralized zones at Storø. Storø is surrounded by the Qingaaq license ('Qingaaq'), which covers some 540 km². Martin Pittuck, CEng, FGS, MIMMM, a 'Qualified Person' for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information included in this news release. 1531323 BC intends to enter into a management services contract with the Company to provide advice in respect of the Properties. The Company continues to actively pursue the acquisition of other properties and opportunities in the mineral exploration and resources sector. The Company is also announcing that it has cancelled an aggregate of 8,600,000 stock options. The subject stock options are comprised of 4,600,000 stock options with an exercise price of $0.27 per share and an expiry date of October 20, 2025, and 4,000,000 stock options with an exercise price of $0.20 per share and an expiry date of June 24, 2026. About Greenhawk Resources Inc. Greenhawk is a Canadian resources exploration and development company. Greenhawk owns a 100% legal and beneficial interest in two mineral exploration licenses and one prospecting license in Greenland known as the Storø Gold Project. Additional Information on Greenhawk can be obtained from SEDAR+ at Greenhawk is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange ( (CSE: GRHK). Issued on behalf of the Board of Directors of Greenhawk Resources Inc. For information, please contact: David Jagodzinski, Director Corporate DevelopmentPhone: +1 (416) 504-2020Email: info@ Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this press release may contain forward looking information which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "may", "desires", "will", "should", "projects", "estimates", "contemplates", "anticipates", "intends", or any negative such as "does not believe" or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. No assurance can be given that potential future results or circumstances described in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. By their nature, these forward-looking statements necessarily involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to significantly differ from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements including, but not limited to: the completion of the Transaction, including the receipt of the upfront payment, 1531323 BC making the requisite expenditures on the Properties to exercise the option on the Properties, the ability to obtain requisite corporate and regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE, the operator obtaining requisite permits and authorizations to allow for exploration on the Properties. Such statements reflect the view of the Company with respect to future events and are based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions, which it considers reasonable. Management cautions readers that the assumptions relative to the future events, several of which are beyond management's control, could prove to be incorrect, given that they are subject to certain risk and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected. Management disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
