Geological advisory

Mineral title and environmental management

mineral title and compliance management
submissions for prospecting and mining title
compilation of associated environmental management programmes and social and labour plans
due diligence reviews
joint venture and other co-operative agreements
sustainability and socio-economic development

Key consultants

Darren Portela
Lynne Soulsby

Exploration management

identification of appropriate techniques and service providers
strategic planning and adjudication of service contracts
design, audit or documentation of exploration protocols
design, audit or documentation of exploration protocols
competent person’s oversight of client exploration programmes
design, management and execution of exploration programmes
creation and maintenance of digital databases
selection of suitable analytical techniques and laboratory QAQC
integration of data on GIS platforms
budgeting and cost control

Key consultants

John Murphy
Darren Portela
Mark Stewardson

GIS

integration of diverse exploration datasets
structural interpretation and analysis
mine-design planning and infrastructure planning
visualisation and analysis of sub-surface drill hole data
environmental monitoring and sensitivity analysis
audit and due diligence of third party GIS systems

Key consultants

John Murphy
Bea de Munnik

Geological and mineral resource modelling

structural modelling
deposit modelling (Datamine Studio, GEOVIA Gems^™ and GEOVIA Minex^™)
resource quantification and classification (SAMREC, JORC, CIM) resource optimisation.

Key consultants

Darren Portela
Coniace Madamombe

Strategic exploration project reviews

commodity reviews
country reviews
project technical reviews
geological conceptual analysis
project identification and prioritisation
target generation
due diligence reviews

Key consultants

John Murphy
Coniace Madamombe
Mark Stewardson

Exploration services and management

We provide effective and efficient management of your exploration-related tasks, using the most appropriate remote sensing or terrestrial geological, geochemical or geophysical exploration tools. We use exploration management protocols that withstand third party scrutiny and permit the compilation of technical reports that comply with international resource reporting codes (SAMREC, JORC, CIM). As part of exploration management services, we provide strategic advice on project development and value addition strategies informed by an understanding of the strategic, technical, legal and logistical challenges encountered by mineral project developers in various jurisdictions.

Geological modelling and mineral resource evaluation

We provide accurate and successful project evaluation founded on a sound understanding of the geology, mineral economics, mining and industry best practice resource evaluation approaches. We manage the Mineral Resource evaluation process including data processing, interpretation and evaluation; conceptual geological analysis; orebody modelling and Mineral Resource classification as well as Competent Person sign-off in terms of the international protocols (CIM, JORC, SAMREC).

Mineral resource and reserve audits

Mineral resource and reserve audits: We provide risk-based technical and governance audits of Mineral Resource and Reserve statements accompanying annual reports for listed companies. For the execution of these tasks, our Competent Persons for mineral resources and reserves utilise a combination of in-depth technical, management and board experience as well as a solid understanding of the reporting codes and stock exchange reporting requirements. Our audit findings and recommendations provide board members with the requisite line of sight of the overall preparation of Mineral Resource and Reserve statements.

Public reporting

We have a proven track record of preparing independent competent person’s reports in support of corporate activities such as stock exchange listings, mergers and acquisitions or material changes to business and life of mine plans for mineral projects. In the preparation of public reports, we strive to protect the investor and project owners by diligently forming an understanding of the project key value drivers, developmental opportunities and identifying material risks to the achievability of business plans.

Technical reviews and advisory

A solid understanding of the project development cycle, key project value drivers and the minerals industry value chain allows our team to provide bespoke corporate advisory services which include technical due diligence reviews, independent technical reviews and tailored technical advice. Knowing that each project possesses unique attributes and challenges, our technical advisory approach is premised on collaboration with project owner. The collaborative efforts often produce practical and realistic solutions to challenges confronting the project owners.

Independent reviews of scoping, prefeasibility and feasibility studies

Independent reviews of scoping, prefeasibility and feasibility studies: We undertake independent reviews of scoping, prefeasibility and feasibility studies of mineral projects premised on our deep understanding of the complexities and opportunities of these projects. Our unique combination of geological, mining, metallurgical, infrastructure engineering, ESG and financial capabilities positions us well to provide practical, insightful advice. These capabilities provide our team with the flexibility to execute the techno-economic studies, act as the owner’s technical representative or review findings of the studies.

Mineral asset valuation and financial modelling

Our team has comprehensive financial modelling and valuation capabilities for any aspect or stage of mining projects. With wide-ranging knowledge of mineral projects and challenges that face prospective investors, the team has carried out mineral asset valuations according to SAMVAL and VALMIN as well as financial modelling for mining projects throughout the world.

ESG management

Diverse technical skills and experience place our technical team in a favourable position to guide our clients with the management of ESG issues confronting their projects. Our team has a successful track record of converting and applying for prospecting and mining rights for various commodities, preparing social and labour plans and environmental management plans. Our in-depth knowledge of the legal, social and environmental aspects of mineral projects provide the foundation for developing title, ESG strategies and plans that conform to industry best practice and international norms.

Due diligence reviews and asset valuation

We have a proven record of assisting potential investors by providing due diligence support and technical advice to inform investment or mergers and acquisition decisions in the mining industry. We employ a unique structured approach for completing these assignments, which combines high speed of execution and accurate risk/opportunity assessment (high-level or fatal flaw review) and detailed reviews. This industry leading approach to technical due diligence reviews is anchored by an enhanced understanding of the project development cycle and key project value as well as our financial modelling capability.

Competent Person’s Report preparation

We are adept at preparing independent competent person’s reports for single or multiple operations in support of corporate activities such as stock exchange listings, mergers and acquisitions or material changes to business and life of mine plans for mineral projects. Our track record is testimony to a solid grounding in technical aspects of mineral projects and the understanding of the reporting codes and stock exchange reporting requirements by technical experts and competent persons.

Owner’s technical team representative

Our in-house team of experts possesses distinctive advisory capabilities in the geological, mining, metallurgical, infrastructure engineering and financial modelling disciplines as well as leadership capabilities required to act as owner’s technical team during and after acquisitions and post-acquisition feasibility studies. We have acted as the owner’s representative for new investors subsequent to acquisition and during the time of building internal capabilities or for organisations that have technical skills gaps.

Mineral/commodity advisory

A wide geographic footprint and vast commodity experience position our team superbly for assessing jurisdictions and commodities for investment. The team uses diverse experience, strong research capabilities and understanding of global trends in the mining sector for undertaking country risk profiling, mineral target identification and commodity selection.

Due diligence reviews

Our experience with the undertaking due diligence reviews for project owners and investors in support of investment or mergers and acquisition decisions places us in an enviable position to assist deal financiers and other lenders prior to the approval of funding of mineral projects. Using our extensive knowledge of mining project funding models, we assist diverse lenders by providing appropriate due diligence support and technical advice to inform their funding decisions. A structured approach for completing technical due diligence reviews of mineral projects, which combines high speed of execution and accurate assessment, is employed for the execution of these assignments. Our technical and cash flow/financial modelling capabilities allow us to provide a holistic view to the targeted mineral project.

Lender’s team technical representative

We assist lenders by acting as independent technical experts/engineers or lender’s engineer. Our in-house team provides a wide spectrum of technical competencies in cross functional mining disciplines (i.e. geology, mining, metallurgy, infrastructure engineering, ESG and financial engineering). These competencies enable us to act as independent technical experts/engineers or lender’s engineer. We are also proficient at lender’s engineer monitoring of mining projects subsequent to funding as well as reviewing loan repayments and mine planning for pre-existing investments.

Loan/equity independent mineral asset support evaluation

Our comprehensive financial modelling and valuation services provide the requisite support for capital structure decision making and mineral asset valuations. Our independent asset valuations are invaluable for benchmarking with internal valuations prepared by lenders.

Bespoke technical support

We partner with mining service providers such as EPCM companies by providing tailored technical support mainly in the areas of geological and mineral resource modelling, mine planning, cash flow modelling and economic evaluation support for feasibility studies.

Independent reviews of feasibility studies

In addition to participating in feasibility studies, we undertake independent reviews of completed feasibility studies prior to approval by the project owners or EPM companies. This essential step ensures completeness of the study, alternative views on risk assessment and mitigation by EPM companies and endorsement of the overall study findings for governance.

IN THIS SECTION

Geological advisory
Mining advisory
Metallurgical and mineral processing advisory
Financial modelling and mineral asset valuation
Corporate advisory
ESG advisory

VAULT

Securing the value of your exploration and geological work

Presentation (PDF) 22 June 2018

John Murphy

Pr Sci Nat
BSc (Hons) (Engineering Geology), MBA, FGSSA

Managing director, owner

More than 31 years’ experience in base, precious, bulk and energy minerals exploration, mining and techno-economic assessment in Africa.

Services

economic geology
mineral economics
corporate advisory
due diligence reviews and fatal flaw analyses of projects and mining operations
mineral asset valuation
expert witness testimony
public reporting
mineral exploration strategy and management

Commodities

base and precious metals
industrial minerals
coal
chrome
manganese
iron ore
uranium

Focus

technical advice, mineral economics and valuation
technical due diligence of mine and exploration data
mineral asset valuation and financial modelling
country and commodity reviews
Competent Persons’ Reports
Competent Valuators’ Reports

Coniace Madamombe

Pr Sci Nat
MSc (Exploration Geology), MBA, FGSSA

Director, owner

More than 20 years’ operational and consulting experience in mineral exploration, mining geology, project techno-economic appraisal and reviews in Africa.

Services

strategic exploration management
mine geology and Mineral Resource Management
geological and resource modelling
country and commodity reviews
project techno-economic evaluation
technical reviews and governance audits of mineral resources and mineral reserves
due diligence reviews and fatal flaw analyses of projects and mining operations
independent technical/lender’s expert reviews of projects and mining operations

Commodities

gold
platinum group metals
iron ore
nickel
chrome
copper
manganese
lead
zinc
uranium
bauxite
limestone

Focus

strategic exploration management
target selection, identification and appraisal
techno-economic assessment of mineral projects
country risk profiling and commodity reviews
mineral resource evaluation
mine geology and Mineral Resource Management
technical and Competent Persons' Reports
technical reviews and governance audits of mineral resources and mineral reserves
due diligence reviews and fatal flaw analyses of projects and mining operations
independent technical/lender’s expert reviews of projects and mining operations

Darren Portela

Pr Sci Nat (400040/12)
BSc (Hons), GSSA

Director, owner

Darren holds a BSc (Hons) in Geology from the University of Johannesburg and has been with The Mineral Corporation since 2008. Over the course of his career, he has accrued over 14 years of experience in mineral exploration and Mineral Resource estimation across Africa.

His expertise spans a wide range of commodities including iron ore, copper, cobalt, chrome, vanadium, bauxite, manganese, uranium, platinum group metals, gold, and coal. He has worked on various exploration projects and has been deeply involved in Mineral Resource estimation, due diligence, and technical reviews of exploration projects, operating mines, and Mineral Resource audits. His experience includes both sediment-hosted and volcanogenic poly-metallic base metal deposits.

Darren is a proficient economic geologist and an expert in geological modelling, contributing significantly to project development and technical evaluations throughout his tenure at the firm.

Services

technical due diligence
mineral resource estimates
exploration management
preparation of technical databases and technical advice
interpretation and analysis of mineral and structural project data
commodity reviews
assisting in JORC, SAMREC and CIM compliance reporting

Commodities

tin
nickel
copper
platinum
chrome
iron ore
bauxite
coal

Focus

technical advice, mineral economics, and valuation
technical due diligence of mine and exploration data
country and commodity reviews
mineral asset valuation and financial modelling
contributor to Competent Persons' Reports

Wezi Banda

MSAIMM
PhD - Extractive Metallurgy,
M. Eng - Extractive Metallurgy,

Director

Wezi brings over 22 years of expertise in mining, mineral processing, hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy, covering operations and technical studies in the extractive industry. His experience includes precious, base, and nonferrous metals, with notable involvement in West African gold projects. He spearheaded a technical due diligence study and led the successful turnaround of a major ferrochrome producer in Eurasia. As an accomplished executive manager, Wezi has driven process plant operations and corporate technical services, leading technical optimization, business improvement, due diligence, and business development initiatives. His proficiency spans mineral beneficiation, including smelting, roasting, leaching, electrowinning, and separation technologies such as solvent extraction and ion exchange.

Services

metallurgy
process operations management
technical studies for new/existing processing plants
technical due diligence of processing facilities for businesses' performance and investments
tailings reprocessing/metals recovery and sustainability
hydrometallurgy
pyrometallurgy

Commodities

cobalt
copper
chrome
manganese
gold
lithium
calcium fluorite

Focus

Refinery operations and management
Plant design, optimisation and troubleshooting
Product quality control
Hydrometallurgical and chemical processing of a wide variety of ores
Health, safety and environmental management
Due diligence and fatal flaw reviews
Scoping and feasibility study contributions
Small business development and management

Andrew Hart

CA (SA)
Member, South African Institute of Chartered Accountants

Director, owner

TMC finance director since 2007; previously financial manager from 2002.

Services

mineral asset valuation
financial modelling

Focus

corporate strategic advice
commercial negotiations
due diligence reviews
financial valuation models – preparation, auditing, supervision

TECHNICAL TEAM

Keith Wilson

BSc Engineering (Mechanical)
MSAIMM, CertEng (Mine & Works)

Associate, Consulting Engineer

More than 30 years’ technical, managerial and consulting experience within the mining industry

Services

Engineering and Infrastructure
Conceptual, Pre-feasibility to Feasibility Studies and Due Diligence Studies
Independent Technical/Lender’s Expert reviews of projects and mining operations

Commodities

gold
diamonds
platinum group metals
iron ore
manganese
chrome
coal
base metals

Focus

technical study co-ordination and management
due diligence and lenders technical advisor
infrastructure assessments
mining equipment selection
open pit simulation modelling and costing
capital and operating costs scheduling
life cycle cost (LCC) modelling
legal and safety compliance assessments

Edward Legg

Pr. Eng
BSc (Mining Engineering), MBA, FSAIMM

Senior Technical Advisor

More than 41 years of operational, technical and executive experience across the southern African mining industry. Since 2014, he has provided specialist mining and business consulting services including contributions to detailed due diligence studies and he has a broad knowledge of the base metals, coal and precious metals mining business

Services

short-medium term and strategic mine planning
due diligence reviews and fatal flaw analyses of projects and mining operations
independent technical/lender’s expert reviews of projects and mining operations

Focus

technical research
prefeasibility/feasibility studies
mining assessments
scoping studies
fatal flaw analyses
due diligence studies
techno-economic design
mine design
benchmarking exercises
construction of costing models

Mark Stewardson

Pr Sci Nat
BSc (Hons Geology), MSEG

Senior Technical Advisor

More than 45 years’ experience in coal geology, exploration and mining, with extensive work experience in most major coalfields of southern Africa, Indonesia and Australia.

Services

exploration management
coal project evaluation services
coal resource and reserve estimation

Focus

exploration management
evaluation of coal deposits and resources
due diligence studies
technical and Competent Persons' Reports

Stuart Thompson

BSc (Hons) (Applied Environmental Science)

Senior ESG Technical Advisor

With more than 18 years' experience across consulting and corporate roles, has established him as a leader in applying practical ESG strategies to the complex challenges of the mining industry. His work consistently demonstrates his ability to combine deep technical knowledge with a strategic vision for sustainable business practices, helping clients to build more resilient, compliant, and environmentally responsible operations.

Services

high-resolution site characterisation
ESG and sustainability strategy
risk management and due diligence

Focus

sustainability management
risk mitigation for financial investors
ESG frameworks & policy development
broader business advisory
process optimisation and environmental performance

Lynne Soulsby

BA (Hons) (Sociology)

Senior Technical Advisor

More than 18 years’ service with TMC and specialising in legal and ESG issues in the mining sector.

Services

mineral tenure
social and labour planning
ESG due diligence and reporting

Focus

Social and Labour Plan generation
socio-economic impact studies
assistance with the formulation, compilation and project administration of prospecting and mining right applications in accordance with MPRDA

Bea de Munnik

Survey Draughting Certificate

GIS and graphics specialist

GIS and drafting.

Services:

GIS
drafting

Focus

computer graphics
Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS)
survey draughting

Our services

Geological advisory

Mineral title and environmental management

Key consultants

Exploration management

Key consultants

GIS

Key consultants

Geological and mineral resource modelling

Key consultants

Strategic exploration project reviews

Key consultants

IN THIS SECTION

VAULT

Securing the value of your exploration and geological work

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU

TECHNICAL TEAM

Our services

Geological advisory

Mineral title and environmental management

Key consultants

Exploration management

Key consultants

GIS

Key consultants

Geological and mineral resource modelling

Key consultants

Strategic exploration project reviews

Key consultants

Exploration services and management

Geological modelling and mineral resource evaluation

Mineral resource and reserve audits

Public reporting

Technical reviews and advisory

Independent reviews of scoping, prefeasibility and feasibility studies

Mineral asset valuation and financial modelling

ESG management

Due diligence reviews and asset valuation

Competent Person’s Report preparation

Owner’s technical team representative

Mineral/commodity advisory

Due diligence reviews

Lender’s team technical representative

Loan/equity independent mineral asset support evaluation

Bespoke technical support

Independent reviews of feasibility studies

IN THIS SECTION

VAULT

Securing the value of your exploration and geological work

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU

Owner/seller

Investor

Financier

Service provider

John Murphy

Managing director, owner

Coniace Madamombe

Director, owner

Darren Portela

Director, owner

Wezi Banda

Director

Andrew Hart

Director, owner

TECHNICAL TEAM

Keith Wilson

Associate, Consulting Engineer

Edward Legg

Senior Technical Advisor

Mark Stewardson

Senior Technical Advisor

Stuart Thompson

Senior ESG Technical Advisor

Lynne Soulsby

Senior Technical Advisor

Bea de Munnik

GIS and graphics specialist