With the goal to improve project delivery from underground construction to mineral handling and processing to shipment, Cementation Group continues to expand its service offering to encompass a larger scope of the mining cycle.
“When we started the company in 1998, we wanted to be a design and build contractor, which is unique in this industry, because it’s what other contractors wanted to get away from,” said Roy Slack, president of the North Bay-headquartered company.
“We really felt like it was the best way to do major projects.”
Early involvement, such as providing concept studies, pre-feasibility and feasibility engineering, enables Cementation to work with clients in ensuring projects are on schedule and under budget.
When Cementation was reintroduced to the North American mining sector almost 20 years ago, underground mine contracting and engineering were core deliverables. As the company strengthened its expertise, it focused on its vision: to expand services and move into other elements of mine building.
“We’ve always wanted to be involved early in the cycle,” said Slack. “There’s a lot of benefit to design build and to have the contractor involved early in the project. We feel it’s best for the project. A design-build approach establishes accountability. “There’s constructability built into the design and there’s the current experience in costing and scheduling of real projects that comes to every project lead. Expanding that to surface work in terms of construction management and plant design construction was a logical step for us.”
To accomplish this, Slack said, “We needed to be sure we had the right people.”
So the company established Cementation AG (Above Ground), based in Salt Lake City, a specialist design-build EPC-style contractor working in the minerals handling space, providing surface material handling and processing services on a “pit-to-port” scope.
In December 2015 Cementation purchased Merit Consultants International, a provider of project and construction management services to clients in the international mining community.
“More and more our offering is global,” said Slack, “and the integration of Merit and Cementation AG strengthens our capabilities as a as a true international operator below and above-ground. We are really expanding the service offering we provide our clients. “
Slack said there was also demand for formal project management services for larger projects. Cementation always offered these services but Merit strengthened those capabilities.
Cementation Group employs 1,200 people in North America, which fluctuates depending on focus and the number of projects.
“We really look to support our clients and if they are growing or they are going overseas, we’re there for them,” said Slack.
Innovation is also key in Cementation’s ability to expand its services and client base.
The company was recently recognized for gamechanging technology earlier in 2017. Cementation was co-winner of the #DisruptMining competition, a Dragons' Den-style live event which showcased the companies and people that are using exponential technology and disruptive to face mining challenges. It also won the People’s Choice Award at the same competition.
The company won the competition with its injection hoisting technology, a cost-effective method to transport ore to the surface, using a continuous pump-driven pipeline loop, which has the potential to reduce the need for mine shaft production hoisting or trucking.
Slack said the competition was exciting in terms of the support available for companies focused on innovation.
“It gives you the feeling that the industry is ready to try some new things,” said Slack. “We feel like we are on the verge in terms of the equipment being manufactured now. If we can match some of this exciting innovation with an upturn, maybe we can make some changes in the industry for the better.”
When it comes to other projects in research and development, Slack said the company is also venturing into virtual reality applications.
Using 3D drawings, developed within the company’s engineering group, viewers can virtually walk through different areas of the mine.
“It’s not just constructability review anymore, but with the right applications, you could be doing an inspection of that level from surface or a chair in North Bay,” said Slack.
Slack said the company’s dedication to improving workplace safety motivates its innovative approaches.
In 2016 Cementation was recognized as the Gold Winner in the Natural Resources sector of Canada‘s Safest Employers.
“As a company we are very focused on safety and we work with other companies within and outside our industry to protect our employees,” said Slack.
