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IMC is involved in all aspects of mine development projects from exploration and feasibility through to design, international bid management, contract negotiation, construction supervision, mine management, operational assistance and training. The consultant generally acts in the capacity of Owners Engineer but also works in collaboration with Contractor organisations.
Together with our parent group the consultant brings to this work a full in-house multidiscipline capability able to deliver a one stop shop service and providing continuity throughout the extended development period associated with new mine developments.
References are provided below for major projects illustrating the range of services undertaken by the consultant in recent years and current active projects.
India, Bothli Titanium Project, 2007 - ongoing
IMC are currently involved in a heavy minerals exploration and feasibility study based in India to look at the feasibility of mining titanium and other minerals from beach sand. IMC have been appointed as lead geological consultants for this project which is ongoing. This project is expected to continue for the next year with the end result being mine design, modelling and reserve estimation.
Iran, Tabas Mine Project, 2001 - ongoing
The Tabas Project was re-activated in 2000/2001 due to growing demand and need to exploit Iran’s own coking coal reserves. Assistance was provided to NISCO to complete designs and specifications and place an EPC Contract for project implementation covering all mining aspects.
Dedicated teams work in counterpart with NISCO own personnel forming a cohesive team and ensuring NISCO personnel are fully engaged. Quality control, project scheduling, works inspection of major plant and equipment, construction supervision and expediting are all within the consultant’s scope. The mine is under construction and significant progress has been achieved in both underground development and surface construction to date. Currently, coal processing and handling plant and all surface infrastructure construction is on-going, mine access and underground roadway development to the mining sections is nearing completion. Project commissioning is planned for 2007 with the mine going into production soon thereafter.
 - Tabas Surface Infrastructure
Iran, Parvedeh 4 Mine, 2005 - ongoing
The consultants scope was expanded under the Tabas Project to undertake the conceptual and basis design of the Parvedeh No 4 Mine.
The mine design is now completed and comprehensive basic designs and duty specifications were used as the basis to invite international bids for an EPC contract. The consultant prepared invitation to bid documents, undertook bid evaluation and recommendations for the preferred bidder.
Negotiations with the preferred bidder are scheduled to commence October 2006.
 - Cerattepe, Turkey
Turkey, 2006 – ongoing
Appointed by Artvin Bakir Maden Isletmeleri A.S., a 100 % subsidiary of Cayeli Bakir, to carry out complete EPCM services to develop its “Cerattepe Copper Property” located in the Artvin province approx.100 km south east of Çayeli, until start-up of commercial operations. The project comprises of a small underground mine accessed via a portal, an aerial ropeway facility for ore, backfill aggregates and cement, and related surface facilities and infrastructure.
 - Barapukuria Headframe
Bangladesh, Barapukuria Coal Mine Operation, 2005 - ongoing
The consultant's services were extended during the implementation period to undertake recruitment and training strategy assessments and the preparation of International bid documentation for engaging a management and production contractor for the day-to-day operation of the mine. This contract was successfully awarded during 2005 and the mine is now in commercial production. The consultant has been further engaged to provide contract management with supervisory services and assists the Client in developing cohesive mine management teams.
Bangladesh, Barapukuria Coal Mine Construction, 1995 - 2005
Acted as Owner's Engineer for the negotiation and implementation of the Barapukuria Coal Mine, the first deep mine in Bangladesh. Services included assistance with contract negotiation, design verification, equipment selection, contract management and construction supervision. The mine was brought into production in 2005 with a rated capacity of 1Mtpa. Coal from the mine feeds directly into 250MW coal-fired power station.
 - Barapukuria Landscape
Ethiopia, 2006 - ongoing
Carried out a review of existing feasibility studies for the development of the Yayu coalmine with adjacent power plant, about 560 km east of Addis Ababa, on behalf of EEPCo and worked out the owner’s requirements for EPC contract negotiations. The review included geology, mining, surface, environmental issues, and the power plant, with Lahmeyer International GmbH as consortium partner.
 - Etoile Digital Image
Democratic Republic of Congo, 2006 - ongoing
The consultant is currently conducting a Bankable Feasibility Study at the Etoile open pit copper/cobalt mine on the outskirts of Lubumbashi, Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Estimated ore reserves are for the oxides 6.2 Mt at 4.3% Cu and 0.8% Co, and for the sulphides 5.17 Mt at 4.5% Cu and 0.6% Co.
Initially oxide ore will be processed, with annual copper production will be in the region of 30,000 tonnes per year, producing LME Grade A cathode. Annual cobalt production will be around 4,000 tonnes per year, and although the cobalt product is yet to be determined through the testwork programme it is most likely to be a cobalt salt. The process route will be through acid leach in agitated tanks, with SX/EW for copper and cobalt. The metallurgical testwork is currently being carried out at a laboratory in South Africa, and design of the process plant is about to commence.
Subsequently, the sulphide ores will be extracted and processed. The treatment route is yet to be defined, but is likely to be sulphide roast, acid leach and SX/EW. Alternatively, sulphides may be floated to produce a saleable concentrate. The former approach is preferred since the SX/EW plant will exist on site, and a higher value product will be produced.
 - Concession area of Sibovc Lignite Field
Kosovo, 2006
Prepared a detailed mine plan on the development of a new mine in the Sibovc South West Lignite Field with an output of 9 Mt/a for supply of the existing power plants in Kosovo from 2007 to 2024. This work on behalf of the European Agency for Reconstruction also included an environmental impact study, economic and financial analysis.
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