Modern Mining October 2024

Fluor’s extensive resume of complex, logistically challenging projects is testament to Fluor’s reputation.

Mining clients are aiming to proactively address market demand and a lingering supply deficit, but are facing challenges in terms of ore grades, ore body accessibility, and a broad spectrum of technologies available to extract and maximize recovery.

promoting technical careers and the key role mined materials are playing for the energy transition, to make this an attractive industry for the youth and attract new engineering graduates coming out of university to join Fluor or take up positions with client teams. Fluor employees value the modern design tools we

gold, diamonds, lead, zinc, PGMs, iron ore, bauxite, lithium and other critical

minerals. We maintain a technology agnostic position that allows us to recommend the best technology, assess technoeconomic feasibility of innovative approaches and drive efficiency from pit to port.” When asked about the challenges of an operation transitioning from open pit to underground for higher ore grades, he indicates that higher capital costs, operational costs and health and safety risks need to be assessed carefully. “We maintain excellent relationships with our clients and aspire a full understanding of project specifics and key objectives as well as the operational framework the project needs to be integrated in. This approach has earned us the position of a trusted partner from early study phases through to execution, construction, completion and commissioning.” Fluor successfully straddles local and international business environments Having achieved almost $70 billion in installed mining capacity over the last 20 years alone, the EPCM specialist has an unmatched footprint across five continents. With a continuous presence in all key mining jurisdictions, a resource pool of around 3000 professionals is serving the upstream and downstream sectors of the industry. “Fluor’s extensive resume of complex, logistically challenging projects is testament to Fluor’s reputation in delivering projects safely, on time and on budget. The Fluor name is synonymous with excellence in project execution, having built some of the industry’s most iconic operations,” concludes Klopper. n

provide, flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to work with a tight network of subject matter experts and project execution specialists in an international environment. Innovative technologies across all engineering discipline are at the forefront of developing the mine of the future that is safe, sustainable, fully digitalized, connected and automated. We encourage the younger generation to join the Fluor family and be part of this narrative.” Aligning with market trends As the world population is projected to grow to almost ten billion in 2050, demand for fertilisers is increasing, to boast crop yields and ensure food security. Urbanisation is driving investment into the grid, which requires a high volume of copper. Likewise, the energy transition requires massive investment in renewables infrastructure, made of metals. Electrification of transport and energy storage are also driving exponential demand in mined materials. “Mining clients are aiming to proactively address market demand and a lingering supply deficit, but are facing challenges in terms of ore grades, ore body accessibility, and a broad spectrum of technologies available to extract and maximize recovery,” says Klopper. “We need to go further, dig deeper, mine smarter. Fluor has expertise in key commodities including copper, potash,

October 2024 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za  MODERN MINING  19