“We’re not just about providing trucks and diggers; we tailor solutions for each client and work hard to get projects up and running smoothly,” newly appointed Mineral Mining Services (MMS) CEO, Robert Ryan, tells IM.
The company’s track record certainly attests to these words, with several contracts in the prolific Goldfields region of Western Australia entailing more than just material movement.
“We can take a project from ‘gold in the ground’ to ‘gold in the bank’ in a matter of months,” Ryan adds, referencing the company’s work at the Black Cat Syndicate-owned Myhree project.
At this project, MMS helped the company transition from free dig to production drill and blast while maintaining a consistent high-grade feed to the run of mine pad, Ryan explained. “Our solution involved the rapid mobilisation of technical services and additional excavator and truck fleets to prioritise waste movement and ensure uninterrupted ore supply,” he said.
On top of this, MMS scaled up operations ahead of schedule to exceed Black Cat’s production targets. “This involved efficiently mobilising and managing over 100 personnel, including technical staff, operators and mine management, demonstrating our capacity to rapidly adjust to evolving project needs,” he said. “That sort of ramp-up and execution is very difficult to beat!”
This example speaks to MMS’ nature as a flexible and adaptable mining partner, capable of tailoring solutions to meet the unique needs of each project, according to Ryan.
“Our strategic fleet management and rapid mobilisation capabilities further enhance our ability to provide efficient and cost-effective solutions for our clients,” he said.
Ryan highlights a couple of unique selling points here to reinforce the company’s value proposition as the contractor of choice in the Goldfields region.
“Our team comprises some of the industry’s most skilled and experienced professionals,” he said. “We back this expertise with a modern fleet of well-maintained equipment, ensuring reliable performance and maximum productivity on every project.”
MMS is strategic with how it manages this fleet, ensuring it has the right equipment readily available to meet client needs. “This includes proactive maintenance programs to minimise downtime and a demonstrated ability to quickly mobilise machinery – even acquiring new equipment when necessary – to respond to project demands faster than our competitors,” Ryan says.
Strong relationships with strategic OEMs and suppliers come in handy, with Ryan specifically highlighting strong ties with Caterpillar and Hitachi Construction Machinery. These relationships extend beyond procurement or buying parts, with MMS benefitting from their advice on diagnostics, accessory and technology selection, maintenance and optimisation, ensuring the company maximises the performance and lifespan of its fleet.
“At Silver Lake, our flexibility was evident in two key areas,” Ryan said. “Initially, we collaborated closely with the client to ensure their mine plan was achievable and productive…Furthermore, when the client decided to add an additional pit at Flora Dora ahead of schedule, we seamlessly managed the technical and practical aspects of incorporating this new challenge, optimising our personnel and fleet to maintain efficiency and productivity.”
The third USP is a focus on efficiency and cost-effectiveness whereby MMS leverages established systems and processes to maximise efficiency at every stage of the mining operation. “Our commitment to cost-effective solutions ensures that our clients receive exceptional value and a strong return on their investment,” Ryan says.
With gold prices remaining high, projects continuing to reach development stage and skilled operators in short supply, MMS believes it will continue to mine a rich niche for the foreseeable future in the Goldfields of WA.
“For companies with gold resources that are not yet being mined, we offer a rapid pathway to production.” Ryan said. “We can handle everything – mobilisation, operations, the entire process – so they can focus elsewhere. It’s a win-win situation, and the word is getting around.”
This word is also evolving with MMS having recently acquired the East Sampson gold project, in the Goldfields, from Moho Resources, with the intention of both owning and mining the gold deposit.
“East Sampson aligns perfectly with our focus on high-potential open-cut gold projects with near-term production potential,” Ryan said in the press release issued earlier this month. “We’re bringing our proven expertise and track record of success to unlock the full value of this asset.”
Expect the company to keep bringing this expertise to bear on new and existing projects across the region.