white paper

Introduction For deposits with complex geology and variable metallurgy, traditional modelling methods can struggle to capture grade behaviour with enough confidence for feasibility-level decisions. In this Western Australian PGE and magnetite project, MEC was engaged to assess whether advanced modelling approaches could better represent grade continuity ahead of future development studies. Challenge The resource contains mixed grade populations and complicated geological controls. The client needed a way to improve confidence in grade variability and continuity before committing to mine design, metallurgy planning, and strategic investment decisions. Neural network modelling has potential in this space but is still relatively new [...]

Introduction In Queensland, mining operations must complete independent audits every three years under their Environmental Authority (EA) and Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP) Schedule. These audits confirm that rehabilitation progress, environmental controls, monitoring programs, and public reporting all meet regulatory requirements. Many sites struggle to keep up—especially when audits fall during peak operational periods. When documentation is incomplete or outdated, it can slow down approvals, introduce unnecessary risk, and put hard-earned environmental progress at stake. Challenge Several clients approached MEC after recognising gaps in their audit readiness. The issues were common: Rehabilitation progress wasn’t well documented or [...]

Introduction In metals mining, the performance of the processing circuit and final product qualities can be affected by the deleterious elements found within the orebody. At MEC, our team was tasked with solving a critical challenge in a Vanadium mining study. The objective was to maintain a threshold on the deleterious element : V ratio for the first 24 months of mining and annually thereafter. Challenge The client faced a significant issue: the mine schedule could not progress without verifying that the deleterious element : V ratio would meet the required head grade to support the processing plant. The [...]