A discipline at Engcomp
Mining engineering
Our mining group works on operating potash and uranium facilities and on the studies that decide whether new ones get built. Most of that work is brownfield — designing around infrastructure that is already running, already full, and cannot be shut down for our convenience.
What this group actually does
- Mine design and mine planning for conventional and solution potash operations
- Materials handling — conveying, storage, reclaim, load-out
- Underground infrastructure, shaft and hoisting systems
- Ventilation and mine services
- Backfill and tailings infrastructure
- Trade-off studies and options analysis ahead of a capital decision
The work is almost never greenfield. An operating mine has constraints a drawing does not show, which is why our engineers go to site — including the junior ones. You cannot see how a mechanic will get a hand in to tighten a nut from a model.
Scale
Questions we get about mining engineering
Do you only work in potash?
No. Potash is where we have the deepest track record, and uranium is close behind, but the group also works in gold, diamonds and agricultural and food processing. The mine design and materials-handling work transfers directly between them.
Can you lead detailed engineering, or only early-stage studies?
Both, and on the same project. We author NI 43-101 studies and we seal issued-for-construction drawings under Engcomp’s own Certificate of Authorization. The handover between a study firm and a detail firm is a real source of cost and delay, and it is avoidable.
Who would actually be on our project?
Named engineers, not a resourcing pool. Mining is led by Gordon Graham, P.Eng., VP Mining. You will meet the people doing the work before you sign anything.
Do you work outside Saskatchewan?
Yes — we have delivered in seven countries. Internationally the focus is studies, third-party reviews and execution support rather than detailed engineering.
Have a mining problem that does not fit a neat scope?
Those are the ones worth a conversation.