Engineering

Metallurgical and Process Consulting

Simulus is a multi-disciplinary engineering company with strong roots in metallurgy and process engineering. Our process team has extensive experience in testing, design, development, commissioning and operations and are available to undertake consulting engagements in greenfield and brownfield projects, expansions and debottlenecking, process audits, efficiency improvements, and optimisation projects targeting throughput, recovery and operating costs.

This experience is also used to support the metallurgical laboratory. From early concept studies through to definitive feasibility, the metallurgical testwork program is the key source of information for process design. Simulus works together to provide overall testwork direction and management, ensuring that the program is:

• Aligned with the client’s development strategy
• Coordinated with mining, geology and other disciplines
• Structured to provide the right information when required
• Managed to budget and schedule

Test programs are tailored for each project, depending on the complexity of the mineralogy, size of the project, and level of technical risk. Simulus outlines the entire test program as early as possible, from initial sighter testing to definitive feasibility and piloting.

Simulus applies professional project management systems to the test program. Detailed schedules are prepared and aligned with key tasks in the overall project schedule. Budgets are tracked to avoid any unwanted surprises.

Most importantly, the overall program is documented to tie together sample selection and the various parts of the test program. Simulus often conducts independent project reviews, and we appreciate the importance of a traceable, well documented decision process.

Flowsheet Optimisation

Simulus Engineers are market leaders in the use of cutting-edge software with in-house customisation to deliver rapid and efficient flowsheet optimisation. We have developed custom add-ons for third party process simulation software and capital estimation tools that enable us to rapidly model a flowsheet, automatically size all the equipment and export equipment lists, motor load list and piping line list direct to the capital estimation package.

This enables us to run multiple flowsheet options or throughput rates often in a matter of hours and to provide a comparative capital and operating cost for each one, supported by a full equipment list and individual equipment costs.

Detailed Design

Simulus Engineers also provides detailed design and project implementation services to mineral projects large and small. We provide services in a standalone capacity for projects up to $100M and partner, often with a processing package, with like-minded groups for the delivery of larger projects.

Simulus Engineers has been able to carefully select and use the best available engineering and design technology without regard for legacy items such as sunk capital, engineering systems designed for pen and paper engineering and significant training invested in outdated technologies.

Scoping, Prefeasibility and Feasibility Studies

A Simulus scoping study delivers a rapid outcome with multiple scenarios and analysis of the total project, not just the process plant. We provide information for early optimisation of the project flowsheet, plant throughput and thus project NPV. Clients are often surprised at the level of detail and extent of the engineering deliverables provided in our scoping studies. This is a function of the Simulus systems and integrated process simulation and engineering design.

We address the key questions asked by project owners and financiers:

1. What will it cost to develop?
2. What will it cost to operate?
3. How much power and water does it need?
4. What other inputs are needed?
5. What are the environmental factors to consider?

Simulus adopts an integrated engineering approach to scoping studies. Our team of engineers have significant experience in process route selection and testwork analysis. This enables us to quickly determine the most likely economic process options for consideration. Process flow diagrams and the process design criteria are then prepared along with costings and study reports that permit the critical owner decisions to be made that allow the project to be progressed to the next stage of development. Simulus can, and regularly does, partner with other companies in the development of multidisciplinary studies, contributing the metallurgical and processing packages of work.

Independent Technical Review

Simulus provides independent technical review, due diligence, expert witness, ore reserve update processing support and competent person reporting. Advises mergers and acquisitions, acts in a technical and project steering committee capacity, provides construction completion monitoring for financiers, and in an independent expert witness roles.

Members of the team have the relevant qualifications, experience, competence and independence to act as a metallurgical ‘Specialist’ and ‘Competent Person’ under the VALMIN (2015) and JORC (2012) codes, and as a qualified person under NI 43-101 standards of disclosure for mineral projects.

This often involves working collaboratively with different consultancies, engineers and project owners as part of a multidisciplinary team; providing metallurgical testwork, processing, infrastructure, capital and operating cost inputs. Simulus has been working in this capacity since 2007 and has contributed to hundreds of independent technical reviews of varying nature across a range of commodities over this time.