Profitable Operations

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Our Consulting Services to mining companies in the Americas

As a mature industry where demand for products continues to soar, mining companies must achieve enhanced profitability. Operating an efficient and streamlined business, as well as squeezing costs, is critical.

PwC delivers a range of services to help you design and implement plans for sustainable improvement, reduce costs and maintain a competitive advantage. Our specific knowledge in the following areas can help you make lasting operational change stick and stay ahead of the competition.

Sustainable cost reduction
Enterprise Asset Management (EAM)
Capital projects
Sustainability
Internal audit
Finance function effectiveness

Sustainable cost reduction

Cost reduction and operational efficiency are key issues for mining industry leaders, and have the potential to drive significant value for shareholders. We’ve noticed that for cost reduction and operational initiatives to be successful, a sustainable approach based on effective planning should be adopted. Are you confident that your cost-reduction approach is sustainable?

By identifying and implementing lasting reductions in your company’s cost structure, you can improve performance and bottom-line results. PwC can advise you on industry practices to achieve sustainable cost reduction in mining operations, such as:

Designing and executing corporate and operational cost reduction programs
Value/cost driver modeling and continuous improvement process design
Supply chain review and improvement
Establishing monthly cost review and cost reporting processes at both mine site and corporate levels

For more information, read our publication Sustainable Cost Reduction in the Mining Sector »

Enterprise Asset Management (EAM)

Most mining operations run at under 70 percent operating effectiveness largely because of equipment idling, breakdowns and recycling. For your company to continue to succeed, your physical assets need to perform like never before—that is, more asset reliability and longevity. This requires a dedicated approach to Enterprise Asset Management (EAM).

We work with mining companies to help develop and implement an integrated asset management strategy, so that you improve the return on your assets by reducing overall lifecycle costs.

Capital projects

In the mining industry, spending capital effectively is a critical lever for improving shareholder returns. However, as capital projects mature, the degree of influence that mining companies have over project costs reduces dramatically, particularly after construction starts.

PwC is well positioned to help mining companies find the right balance in capital projects management and focus on the key elements affecting program performance including:

Building greater levels of flexibility into projects, such as building options and flexible contractual terms with suppliers, so programs can easily be slowed or accelerated depending on market developments
Updating capital program governance frameworks, including reporting practices, to reflect new industry realities
Managing the demand for capital, for instance, finding new sources of financing by increasing links with joint venture partners or customers.

Sustainability

Mining companies face ongoing regulatory compliance requirements and increasing public scrutiny to integrate sustainability into their overall strategies.

PwC’s Sustainable Business Solutions team works with mining companies across the Americas to align corporate governance and non-financial management, including operating systems and processes, performance reports and mechanisms, to meet the needs and expectations of stakeholders. Examples of our solutions include:

Sustainability strategy development
Stakeholder engagement
Certification (ISO 14001, 9001)
Environmental liability audits and due diligence engagements
Non-financial report assurance.

Internal audit

With so many moving parts within mining operations, it’s important that risk management, internal controls and governance processes accomplish business objectives and meet stakeholder expectations.

We can help you develop internal audit and risk management plans and methodologies to increase the effectiveness of your internal audit processes. We also offer resource solutions depending on your needs—from full outsourcing to complementing in-house functions.

Finance function effectiveness

Today’s business environment is putting pressure on finance departments to deliver superior information and controls in line with increased governance and transparency. There is also a demand to reduce operational costs.

Mining companies face a number of issues that prevent them from meeting these requirements and becoming more effective. They include low value planning, budget and forecasting; limited insight into operating results, and time-consuming transaction processing.

PwC’s professionals can help you assess, design and implement changes to your financial processes. Our services include: