Ukwazi Expands Engineering Capability

Mining specialists, Ukwazi, today announces the addition of multi-disciplinary engineering services to their portfolio of mining and processing solutions. The project development and delivery (PDD) division will focus on providing expert advice at every project stage; from concept through to execution, drawing on cutting-edge systems, design methodologies and controls.

“With increasing regulation and escalating operating pressures, clients require hands-on guidance throughout a project’s life cycle,” says the company’s PDD Head, Albert Jacobs, former owner of engineering firm, ATEC PMC, now part of Ukwazi. “There is also wide-spread, industry demand for skilled teams that are able to effectively deliver innovative engineering, procurement and construction management services for traditional or bespoke contracting models. This needs to be achieved during the study, design, and implementation phases. Our philosophy? Engineer first, then controlled execution.”

This unique approach, explains Ukwazi’s Managing Director, Jaco Lotheringen, will ensure that all project requirements and client objectives are met and exceeded, “We will design and engineer the preferred technical solution first, ensuring that it is executable, and then integrate tested project management systems and processes to guide implementation.”

Ukwazi combines the best aspects of traditional PMBoK with current Agile PM methodologies, allowing teams to quickly respond to challenges, while adhering to client approved timelines and cost parameters. According to Lotheringen, the current environment requires instantaneous adaptability in response to changes in the project environment, external pressures or new insights gained during the course of a project.

As such, Ukwazi’s PDD clients will have access to a full range of technical and management capabilities, including project management, project controls, engineering design and bespoke solution services. This includes capabilities ranging from reality capturing and conversion into intelligent 3D models, expert analysis through design software, used for optimising engineering and developing risk mitigation strategies during design; and cloud-based information management with integration into third party solutions. In addition, data-driven decision making is prioritised throughout all project phases, via earned value management (EVM) cost and schedule performance dashboard reporting and forecasting.

Comments Jacobs, “Our experienced teams are there to engineer your project’s success, adding value at every touchpoint. We are committed to quality over quantity, be it people or systems, and to customising applicable solutions that utilise the latest in industry best practice. All projects are managed transparently, leveraging advanced tools, and ensuring the efficient measurement and control of change, cost, schedule and progress.”

“Ukwazi truly provides a 360-degree service for all clients in the resources sector”, adds Spencer Eckstein, Ukwazi’s Head of Business Development. “Be it studies, public reporting, contracting solutions or on-the-ground technical support, Ukwazi now also offers PDD and has the technical expertise and track record to partner with clients from design through to execution; enabling success across the entire mining value chain.”

Ukwazi is an established, black-owned mining solutions provider, offering independent advisory, onsite technical services, systems integration, and contract mining services to a range of clients, across multiple commodities, geographies, and markets. The company recently launched its sustainable mining practice, helping mines rethink their environmental and closure planning.

For more about Ukwazi’s new PDD offering visit: https://www.ukwazi.com/our-services/advisory/engineering or download our services brochure here.