Article first published in GBR Western USA Mining 2025. Reprinted with permission.
Can you discuss Ausenco’s acquisition strategy and your growth outlook in the Western USA?
We are focused on expanding the consulting services we offer around advisory & sustainability, earth & environment, and infrastructure. We are also growing our expertise in geotechnical and tailings management. While mining remains a major part of our business, we are diversifying into adjacent markets, such as green energy, industrial and manufacturing. We want to bridge these sectors with mining, enhancing partnerships and stakeholder relationships. This includes integrating alternative energy sources and exploring recycling of precious minerals crucial for electric vehicles.
How do emerging process technologies improve mineral processing?
There have been significant advances in technology for ore sorting. By improving the materials selection process, we can reduce the size of the processing plant needed. This not only cuts costs but also minimizes waste generation. We are also exploring various other technologies, such as coarse particle flotation and alternative methods for tailings placement. These approaches collectively lead to a smaller processing footprint, which reduces costs and the requirements for raw materials. On the tailings side, better material selection reduces the area needed for tailings storage, which is another cost-saving measure. These technologies also have a positive impact on water usage; by requiring less water and impounding less, we enhance our operational efficiency, increase safety and reduce environmental impacts.
How is climate change impacting mining operations in the Western USA?
Over the past decade, we have seen significant shifts in mining project design due to climate change. We can no longer rely solely on historical data for climate change predictions. Tailings management is crucial and often gets attention only when issues arise. We are building a strong tailings team to help clients adapt their designs to evolving standards.
Questions? Please contact Dennis Papilion.