Surface Mining Operations Engineering Audit

Situation: A Canadian surface coal mining company implemented an overall productivity improvement program to attain world-class operating standards. Norwest was retained to conduct an audit of the technical services group at each of eight operating mines, comprised of both dragline and truck/shovel surface mining operations.

Solution: The Norwest project team visited each of the sites and interviewed the entire technical services staff, including survey, geology, mine planning and environmental/regulatory personnel. The interviews focused on the individual processes and procedures as opposed to the actual criteria utilized in the work.

In addition to reviewing work product samples, Norwest interviewed technical services customers, such as mine operations, maintenance planning, and financial staff to attain feedback on the group’s deliverables. Results of each audit were discussed with mine personnel prior to Norwest leaving the operating site. Opportunities for improvement were discussed as well as the allocation of resources to accommodate any modifications to the planning process.

Result: Norwest issued a final report documenting the findings at each site as well as overall efficiency recommendations to be implemented on a corporate level. All recommendations were implemented by the client, as documented in a follow-up survey, resulting in improved standardization of planning procedures across the corporation and increased productivities at each site.