What services have been in demand in 2024?

A key trend driving demand for AMC Consultants' services is strategy optimization and operational excellence. Our approach applies at both the site and company levels, helping clients identify and remove roadblocks to success. While many recognize these obstacles, they often underestimate their impact on performance, productivity and profitability. By using a data-driven approach, we help organizations streamline operations, optimize workflows, and align strategic goals with execution. In operational excellence, we help clients evaluate underperforming assets, uncover inefficiencies, and implement solutions to enhance productivity. Which issues are most common among mine operators?

Mine operators face challenges affecting productivity, cost efficiency and sustainability. Inefficiencies like equipment downtime, poor planning and suboptimal drilling and blasting create bottlenecks and raise costs. Rising expenses, ore grade dilution and supply chain disruptions strain profitability, making cost management critical. Strong market conditions for gold and critical minerals add pressure to boost production, but scaling efficiently is difficult. Many operators struggle to expand without compromising efficiency. Technology offers optimization opportunities, but integration can be challenging. Market volatility, fluctuating prices, reserve depletion and shifting investment priorities demand agility in decision-making and long-term planning. How does Ontario compare to other mining jurisdictions?

Ontario has a rich history of mining, presenting many opportunities with both open pit and underground mines. Aided by the gold price and the focus on critical minerals, the sector is driven forward to a better future. With history comes technical experience in the region, and because of the longstanding tradition of mining, there is support for both residential and FIFO projects supported by a strong corporate base in Toronto. How does the situation in the wider world impact mining in Ontario?

As global political risks increase, interest shifts to safer jurisdictions like Canada. Sustainability is key, with expectations for companies to integrate it from permitting closure. A mine cannot open without a closure plan. AMC Consultants’ sustainability team works with engineering teams to ensure closure is central to the process. Progressive reclamation should start early, and Ontario projects are ahead of many jurisdictions, benefiting from increased focus. M&A activity enables companies to acquire underutilized assets and bring them into production faster, optimizing market conditions. Where do you see technology being applied in mining?

For over 40 years, AMC Consultants has been accumulating knowledge from site visits and our benchmarking work. Each site has its own definitions of costs and productivity, making direct comparisons challenging. However, by normalizing large datasets, we can compare costs and productivity across various operations globally. This process enables faster identification of issues and helps reassure clients about how their performance compares to similar operations. Access to this information and our ability to use it effectively has been instrumental in our work. While AI is a growing topic and making strides, it cannot replace the deep operational experience our team brings. Technology, like AI, requires the expertise of experienced professionals to interpret and apply it effectively to specific mining projects. What role will collaboration have in mining moving forward?

Collaboration will play a pivotal role in the future of mining as the industry faces complex challenges and opportunities. While competition will always exist, collaboration is essential for driving innovation, efficiency and sustainability. As consultants, we learn from one another, sharing insights to improve our work and better support clients. By pooling expertise, we solve problems faster, reduce risks, and improve performance. Cross-disciplinary collaboration between engineers, geologists, environmental specialists and digital experts will be key to developing more efficient, sustainable and advanced mining practices. Partnerships with technology providers will enable us to integrate cutting-edge technologies like automation, AI and data analytics. What is next for AMC Consultants in 2025?

AMC Consultants celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024, marking a milestone in delivering innovative mining solutions. We expanded our global reach by opening a new office in South Africa, reinforcing our commitment to supporting clients in diverse mining regions. Looking ahead, AMC is focused on leveraging four decades of experience to strengthen our presence, particularly in Canada, where we see strong growth potential. Our expertise in geology, mine sustainability, mining engineering, business transformation and operational excellence enables us to continue delivering value while addressing the industry's evolving challenges.