White Paper

Introduction MEC Case Study: Reducing Geotechnical Uncertainty Before Final Investment Decision Project Stream: Feasibility / Bankable / Definitive Project Stage: Due Diligence Type of Mine: Underground Region: Queensland, Australia Commodity: Hard Coking Coal The Challenge A brownfields longwall underground development was being assessed to extend the life of an existing coal operation by transitioning…

Introduction In underground mining studies, success often comes down to finding the right balance between mining method, cut-off grade, cost, and productivity. For our client, that balance was key to unlocking the value of its copper deposit in Queensland. The challenge: identify the most economically viable development path in a field of complex and competing…

Summary The mining industry is undergoing a fundamental shift. While commodity prices and M&A activity dominate headlines, the real transformation is happening behind the scenes — in mine planning software, artificial intelligence, and digital workflows. These tools are changing how mining projects are: Designed Evaluated Optimised Approved This white paper explores how digital technologies are…

Summary Understanding what drives share price movement in ASX-listed mining companies is critical for anyone involved in exploration, project development, or technical advisory. This white paper analyses 259 ASX resource announcements drawn from six AUSTEX Resource Opportunities Reports between October 2025 and March 2026, alongside established academic research and industry frameworks including the Lassonde Curve.…

Challenge Our client faced the need to rapidly evaluate multiple legacy resource models to determine the feasibility of developing mining operations capable of supporting a set production profile. The technical reports were in Spanish, using legacy block model formats and historical grade estimation methods, creating a barrier for timely assessment. Legacy data formats, proportional rotated…

Introduction Every five years, mine rehabilitation sites must be assessed to confirm they are meeting rehabilitation and PRCP compliance requirements. For this Northern Territory bauxite operation, MEC’s ecology team was engaged to carry out long-term flora rehabilitation monitoring across established sites. These assessments are critical checkpoints — they provide regulators and operators with confidence…

Introduction Noise matters, especially when a project sits close to a community. We’re supporting a critical minerals project in Victoria by building a mine schedule that respects noise limits, helping the project move forward while concerns are addressed. Challenge Community backlash around noise levels threatened the project’s ability to proceed. Without local support, approvals…

Introduction In the mining industry, clarity and consistency are critical to project success. However, MEC identified a gap in its study processes: the absence of a Checklist and Basis of Design (BoD) framework. Without this framework, reconciling different engineering work often became difficult, and assumptions varied between engineers and disciplines. Challenge MEC needed…

Introduction Early-stage studies for mining projects often struggle to balance cost, speed, and clarity. For a Queensland gold project with a 32koz defined Mineral Resource, the client needed early direction on whether the asset was worth deeper investment—and they needed it quickly. Challenge After releasing the maiden MRE, the client was trying to answer…

Introduction For deposits with complex geology and variable metallurgy, traditional modelling methods can struggle to capture grade behaviour with enough confidence for feasibility-level decisions. In this Western Australian PGE and magnetite project, MEC was engaged to assess whether advanced modelling approaches could better represent grade continuity ahead of future development studies. Challenge The…

To stay audit-ready year-round, MEC is now helping clients move from reactive compliance to proactive assurance through: Scheduled internal pre-audits Regular documentation checks PRCP progress alignment EA condition verification Public reporting support Delivery of the full statutory EA/PRCP third-party audit Engaging early means fewer surprises and smoother approvals when it matters most. Introduction In…