Riad Faour, CEO, PROGESYS
Can you introduce Progesys and how the company serves the mining industry?
Progesys was founded in 2003 as a project management firm, delivering industrial projects in the mining, metals, and oil and gas industries. We look at capital projects through the eyes of the owners and our unique solutions, tailored to the size and condition of every project, are helping project owners worldwide drive their projects to their fullest potential from project management and build to operations. Our services include looking at contractual strategies and planning for the development phase, and we continue our support throughout the lifecycle of the project with a focus on construction management and commissioning of plants and infrastructures. We assist project owners in their two major risks: making the right choices regarding project management and putting the right stakeholders around the table for execution. After that follows excellent construction management and commissioning that allows for optimal operation of the plant.
Are you seeing more automated solutions being adopted by the mining industry?
For any project, and especially 4.0 technology projects, what makes or breaks it is how well it is managed and optimized in terms of startup and ramp-up. Automation in the mining industry is rapidly gaining momentum and Progesys has been involved in many projects where the transition to an autonomous fleet was part of the scope.
What are the key areas driving growth for Progesys in 2023 and beyond?
There are still many opportunities for Progesys in the regions we are already operating in, including Canada, Latin America, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Middle East. Progesys’ culture of being integrated with the project owner teams and our focus on supporting these owners from project management to the transition into operation has allowed us to attract the interest of many new clients. Currently, we are consolidating our activities in the regions where we are already operating. The objective of maintaining high quality and standards for the delivery of the projects we take on will continue to drive our growth-related decision-making.
Kim Valade and Eric Dessureault, KV: General Manager ED: VP Operations, MEGLAB
Can you give an update on Meglab’s activities and main milestones achieved over the past year?
KV: After a two-year integration process, Meglab is now working closely with Epiroc to provide electric, connected, digital, and automated solutions helping to shape the sustainable mining industry’s future. Epiroc has made several acquisitions over the past few years, allowing various specialists to align our strengths to bring integrated solutions and the best value to customers.
At what stage of mining projects do you see the most demand coming from?
KV: Many projects at the feasibility stage are looking into electrical fleets in efforts to reduce carbon emissions and meet sustainability goals. We collaborate very structurally with the customer as they embark on that journey. For example, when Newmont Borden has decided to go fully electric, our team was involved from the beginning of the project permitting and developing this specific electric mine. Agnico Eagle has decided to go fully electric at their Odessey mine, and Epiroc has won a large order for equipment. Meglab currently has people on site to support their battery-electric machines and automation solutions. Today, we also have an ongoing BEV training program where we support a mine in their electric transition.
Meglab now has a presence in 15 countries in partnership with Epiroc. How important is Québec for the company’s overall operations?
KV: Meglab is based in Canada, where we have a leading position in the electrification space. Québec continues to be our home and an important market, where our excellent reputation in the province has allowed us to expand our footprint across Canada, as well as to countries such as the Dominican Republic, where our knowledge of the underground has been strategic for their operations.
Can you speak to some of Meglab’s flagship solutions and products?
ED: Over the past year, Meglab has been working on our charging solutions as well as energy storage systems. We produced our first MegaCharge this year, a multi-channel charging solution that will reshape the usability of electric-powered equipment, and the system will be tested within a mine in September.