Over the past 100 years, SNC-Lavalin has delivered projects with predictable results building an enviable track record across many industries including mining and metallurgy. We strive to deliver our projects safely and with respect for the environment and communities in which we operate. Our capability spans smaller Brownfield equipment and facility upgrades to Greenfield “mega-projects”.

SNC-Lavalin has world wide experience and systems that can be deployed on a diverse range of projects. However the key for successfully delivering a project is also dependent on being able to recognize each project’s unique requirements and tailoring the execution plan to match the specific project needs.

SNC-Lavalin has global support to service specialized needs that may be identified for a particular project. These services range from training of local construction and operations staff to assistance with aspects of project financing.

Due to its global reach and multiple office locations SNC-Lavalin is particularly strong in delivering projects across varying time-zones and cultures. The majority of SNC-Lavalin project procedures are available in several languages as cultural diversity is the “norm” rather than the “exception” in our business. This diversity results in us being sensitive and responsive to project location needs as well being able to communicate effectively with multinational or locally based clients.

SNC-Lavalin has developed and refined its own in-house tools over many years for controlling and managing projects. At the core of this initiative is the well known and recognized “PM+” software suite which presents a scalable and modularized solution to servicing projects. Additionally we have our in-house “Infozone” application which provides a core location for disseminating and managing our corporate procedures and standards.

SNC-Lavalin can deliver “the whole package” for your mining and metallurgical project whatever the size or phase of development.

SNC-Lavalin is committed to developing and maintaining long term client relationships to achieve greater success for our clients and have many multi-project clients including those with projects that have included both Study and EPCM phases.

SNC-Lavalin also has extensive experience in project management contracts in which the scope of services are to be performed by a number of specialized consultants and contractors. SNC-Lavalin has worked collaboratively and effectively with clients who contract other consultants and contractors directly for certain specialized scope areas.

We are fully aligned and well positioned to transition seamlessly from concept, through the feasibility study phases, implementation, commissioning, asset support through its lifecycle, and decommissioning at the end of its useful life.

SNC-Lavalin’s project management methodology has evolved over decades of successful implementation of major projects. In order to establish these best practices on new projects, our execution strategy includes the mobilisation of Project Support Teams at the onset of every major project. This team is comprised of senior SNC-Lavalin project specialists who bring extensive expertise and lessons learned pertaining to all key areas of project execution, including:

• Project Management
• Project start and set-up
• Project controls
• Value improvement practices
• Regional considerations
• Technology integration
• Constructability

The SNC-Lavalin Project Support Team works directly within the project during its initial phases to help the project team establish the core principles to efficiently deliver a high-quality project using SNC-Lavalin’s proven project execution methodologies and systems. The Project Support Team revisits the project at later stages of execution to assess the project and to recommend additional value-improving measures as may be identified.

The Project Support Team is a value-added component of SNC-Lavalin’s overall project delivery model that makes the full depth of SNC-Lavalin’s Project execution expertise readily accessible to each and every phase of the Project.
 

At SNC-Lavalin, as a provider of quality process engineering and project execution services to the Mining and Metals industries, we pride ourselves on maximising the value of our client’s projects by delivering strong technical solutions.

All process engineered designs and solutions are executed with paramount consideration for the health, safety, community and environmental well being of all project stakeholders.

SNC Lavalin’s Global Process Engineering team has an impressive and enviable range of experience with unique and diverse capabilities. We have a proven track record of delivering process engineering services across a wide range of commodities and unit processes including:

• Ferrous, non-ferrous, base metal and precious metal bench scale and pilot plant test work programmes including identifying, planning, design, supervision and interpretation of laboratory data.
• Flowsheet selection and development including mass and energy balances, process modelling / simulation, block flow diagrams, process flow diagrams and piping & instrumentation diagrams, technical specifications, design criteria and equipment datasheets.
• Evaluation and selection of traditional technologies or new and alternative processes at all study stages to determine the viability of new and existing processes.
• Equipment sizing, specification and selection from large scale iron ore concentrators to pilot plant copper flotation circuits.
• Processing plant equipment layout and design.
• Development of technical and functional specifications for process automation and control.
• Provision of commissioning and start-up expertise, operational auditing and debottlenecking particularly in laterite nickel/cobalt processing, copper flotation and gold/silver carbon in pulp circuits.
• Access to pressure leaching technologies for all base and precious metals, including autoclave design and applications. Installations include several gold facilities in Nevada as well as facilities for nickel in Australia and New Caledonia.
• Access to heap leaching technologies particularly for gold and copper projects.
• Application of solvent extraction technology for the recovery of copper, uranium, nickel, magnesium, vanadium and rare earth elements.
   

SNC-Lavalin in Australia offers comprehensive, multi-discipline engineering and design services for a wide range of resource development projects throughout the region.

The Mining & Metallurgy division services the mining, materials handling, minerals processing and refining industries combining an impressive global capability with local expertise and implementation.

SNC-Lavalin is committed to improving the value proposition for our Clients over the full life cycle of the project and rigorously applies a ‘Total Installed Cost’ approach to engineering design and project implementation, without compromising safety, quality or schedule.

The team has a proven track record in effectively managing engineering design processes and, in particular, coordinating the design efforts of geographically separated work groups.
 

Innovative in project delivery methods, SNC-Lavalin has significant expertise in delivering projects using 3D intelligent, data-centric design systems and workflows. These techniques maximise the benefits of data integration throughout the engineering, fabrication and construction phases of the project.

Our delivery systems, procedures and workflows enable effective and efficient project management, cost control and concurrent, multi-discipline design.
 

Drawing from over 100 years of experience in engineering, procurement, construction and project management, SNC-Lavalin has developed PM+, an integrated Project Management System that is coveted by industry leaders worldwide. PM+ combines advanced, interactive computer technology with SNC-Lavalin’s proven project management methodology. These two elements combine to form the basis of SNC-Lavalin’s integrated Project Management solution, which is key to its success.

PM+ can be used in whole or in part to define, plan, monitor and execute projects of any size, type or complexity. The centralized PM+ infrastructure network operates using a redundant, load-balancing technology. Located at corporate head-office it can be accessed globally by users from project offices or remote construction sites via an encrypted Internet connection. 

SNC-Lavalin’s PM+ Project Management System is utilised to monitor and control the work. The PM+ system provides a common project management database at all project locations that can be used to plan and control engineering, procurement, construction and pre-commissioning activities as well as project management objectives of cost and schedule.

The PM+ System shares information between:

• The Engineering Management Module for definition of equipment and material;
• The Cost Modules, for budget control and cost management;
• The Procurement Management Module for purchasing, expediting, logistics, materials control & contract administration;
• The Construction Management Module for the planning, monitoring and reporting construction progress;
• The Document Control Module for tracking all project documentation.

The PM+ System shares information between these modules for the purpose of facilitating the decision processes and control functions on projects. PM+ is also integrated with our Global Procurement System (GPS) and a commercial scheduling software package, Primavera, to provide planning and scheduling capabilities.

PM+ was designed for use by project team members including clients, suppliers, sub contractors and consultants. Selected project team members are responsible for entering specific project information while others have controlled access to the project data. This allows users to access critical information rapidly and efficiently, resulting in a highly responsive and practical management and reporting tool.

SNC-Lavalin is committed to maintaining PM+ and ensuring that it evolves according to best business practices to provide tailored solutions for projects throughout the world. 

Wherever SNC-Lavalin has overall or partial project responsibility, its recognized project management methodology coupled with the strength of PM+, will contribute to delivering high quality results within budget and on schedule.

The sheer extent of the SNC-Lavalin network has enabled us to master global supply chains.  Sourcing some $12 billion annually, our Global Procurement Group delivers consistent quality, efficiency and value to clients while minimizing procurement and logistical risks to project success.  Our centralised approach leverages in-depth knowledge of some 42,000 registered suppliers in our central Global Procurement System.

SNC-Lavalin's global procurement organisation provides a complete range of purchasing, contracting, inspection, expediting and materials management services to support projects of all sizes.

SNC-Lavalin Global Procurement provides effective supply and delivery solutions to its clients for their equipment and material needs under a single point of contact and responsibility.

For more than 80 years, SNC-Lavalin Global Procurement has met the current and future challenges of global supply through project performance excellence based on a keen understanding of the complexities of the market.  Through our group of more than 350 procurement professionals located strategically around the globe in permanent offices in 30 countries, SNC-Lavalin Global Procurement is well positioned to add value to our Client’s projects.

Services

• Acquisition of goods and services
• Pre-qualification of supply sources
• Contracts and order handling, from bid to delivery to site
• MRO / OEM parts sourcing and supply
• Arrangement of financing
• Interfacing with Export Credit Agencies
• Materials management
• Shop surveys
• Expediting
• Quality surveillance and shop inspection
• Shipment verification and certification
• Logistics studies
• Transportation and customs administration
• Warehouse management
• Professional assistance
• Development of best practices
• Supply Chain Management analysis
• Independent audits
• Procedures and work methods development and implementation
• E-Commerce implementation

Our strengths

• Single point contact and responsibility
• In-country professionals, familiar with language, market and customs
• Proven methods in acquisition cycle management
• Work process tailored to client needs
• Central control and reporting of material movement
• Global teamwork

The System

In support of its proven project execution methodology, SNC-Lavalin Global Procurement uses a centralised, tailor-made computerised system which is accessible to all procurement locations and is capable of capturing and reporting on key data for each planned step, providing accurate information for rapid management decision-making in each phase of the procurement process.  

The system is linked to the SNC-Lavalin corporate database of supplier and contractor performance records and to the SNC-Lavalin Internet web-site where suppliers and contractors may register and qualify for future business opportunities.

Methodology – The SNC-Lavalin Way

• Common work process throughout international network
• Common procedures, forms and functions
• Best practices
• Common tracking and reporting
• One set of communication tools

Responding to your needs

Today’s global supply market presents an increasingly costly challenge to end-users for the procuring, expediting, inspecting and transporting of materials and goods originating from the four corners of the world.  SNC-Lavalin Global Procurement can facilitate this process through its international network in the management of the end-users supply chain.

SNC-Lavalin has developed significant global experience in construction management and is able to apply this expertise to projects of all sizes including those within the mining and metallurgy area which are amongst the largest of their kind in the world.

SNC-Lavalin provides construction management services that span the globe in various sectors and are suitable for the development of small, mid-size and large projects.  Our experience has been gained over decades through our 100 year history and on various continents with diverse cultures and including extreme climatic conditions.

At the core of our activities is our “We Care” program which focuses our activities to deliver whilst always prioritising health, safety, environmental and community aspects in the environments in which we work.

Our construction management capability is applied early in the project development ensuring that the delivery strategy considers key aspects of how the project will be built.  As part of the overall project delivery team, construction inputs are integral with engineering, procurement and project management aspects and when approached in this manner assist in delivering our projects with predictable outcomes. 

Our construction management services include the following:

• Development of construction strategy and construction input during the project development phases
• Management of health, safety and environmental issues on and related to the construction activities
• Management of community relations
• Management of site facilities
• Management of construction contractors
• Management of equipment and materials utilising our cutting edge materials control systems
• Management of site quality (QA/QC)
• Management of schedule
• Site contract administration
• Field engineering activities
• Commissioning planning and management
• Pre-commissioning
• Commissioning support
• Recording of “as built” information

Our platform for delivering safe projects on time includes our personnel, methodologies, and systems which have a long and enviable track record in the industry.

SNC-Lavalin strives to provide support to our Clients for the full lifecycle of their facilities from concept, through study and project implementation, asset support through the facilities operational life, and decommissioning.

Our asset support services are complementary to our engineering and project delivery capability and provide Clients with benefits both with projects we have undertaken and for those projects executed by others where our broad expertise can be applied to improve performance where desired.

 Our services include the following:

• Studies for major maintenance programs and plant upgrades
• Safety improvements
• Reliability and maintainability improvements
• Engineering design services including plant repairs, maintenance and improvements
• Project implementation including EPCM services
• Maintenance and shutdown support services
• Plant commissioning, performance testing & handover

SNC-Lavalin have extensive experience in modular construction that has developed through the application of specific engineering capability coupled with strong procurement, logistical, and construction management expertise. The application of this approach on projects has resulted in significant time, cost and safety improvements for our clients. 

These skills can be utilised and adapted to medium to large size projects to enable maximum use of international procurement and fabrication, leading to reduced site man hour demands and enhanced financial, safety, risk and schedule performance.

In Australia/New Caledonia SNC-Lavalin executed the US$3.4 B Goro Nickel Project which involved 19 shipments of 500 modules (Process Modules, Structural/Piping Modules, equipment modules and pre-assembly modules up to 600T) predominately from Philippines, as well as the management of the stick built component of the works.  This required the development of engineering to match the module strategy and the sequencing of the modules to match construction.

SNC-Lavalin prepared and put in place the modularisation strategy for the fabrication and delivery of the $2B Alcan Gove expansion project during the Front End Engineering of the project. SNC-Lavalin undertook a program of selection visiting the yards in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and China, evaluating the capacity, quality and required logistics for each of 9 yards in 2004. SNC-Lavalin then developed the modularisation strategy that would be required through engineering and the scheduling and controls required to manage the implementation.  This strategy was taken forward into the execution of the project.

SNC-Lavalin then completed Construction Management of the Modularisation for a large 140GL/day Desalination Plant in China, for shipment and installation through Cape Preston, 70 km south of Karatha/Dampier in Western Australia for the Citic Pacific Sino Iron Project. This comprised of 2 Pre-treatment Plant Modules 3,000 t each, 4 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Building Modules, 19 Pipe Racks, Structural Steel, Pipe Spools, 3 Switch Rooms, 2 Intake Caisson and precasts.
 

SNC-Lavalin was also responsible for the management of materials, and the construction management in the yard for delivery to the Cape Preston site 100km south of Karratha, WA.

SNC-Lavalin implemented and trained the module yard fabricators in the use of the SNC-Lavalin Materials Management System with SNC-Lavalin's Project Management System, PM+ to enable the control of materials to and shipment from the yard.

SNC-Lavalin Capital's team provides services in 11 languages and combines diverse and complementary professional expertise. SNC-Lavalin Capital's team of financial specialists has earned a reputation for excellence in integrated project financing and financial modelling services for small, medium and large projects.

Its multilingual professionals have contributed to arranging over US $6 billion in innovative financing for Canadian and international clients. A designated International Financial Centre, SNC-Lavalin Capital. has expertise in various sectors including power, oil and gas, mass transit, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, mining, agriculture, industry and Aboriginal projects.

Click here for further information on SNC-Lavalin's global project financing capability. 

Cold regions pose many challenges to Engineering and Construction

SNC-Lavalin has worked for over 40 years in the Arctic regions of the world with a focus on the Canadian North, Alaska and Russia. Our assignments have ranged from geotechnical and environmental site assessments to route and road location studies to large infrastructure and mining project developments and
mine reclamation.

Our experience includes:

• In-depth expertise in permafrost terrain and arctic hydrology;
• Design of access roads and airstrips, foundations, dams and site infrastructure on permanent and discontinuous permafrost terrains;
• Thermal analyses and physical stability of earth structures on ice rich ground, muskeg and plastic clays;
• Design of energy efficient site facilities for cold weather;
• Logistics for remote areas with short shipping windows;
• Modularization and transportation of plant components;
• Designing of Closure Plans and managing reclamation efforts;
• Design of dock and port storage facilities;
• Construction during the winter;
• Ensuring workforce productivity in cold weather.