What are Ames Construction’s (Ames) areas of activity within the mining industry?

We are a 63-year-old company, founded by the Ames family in Burnsville Minnesota. We transitioned at the end of 2024 to become employee-owned (ESOP). Ames works across various industries, with mining being a key sector. We have worked in mining for almost 40 years, with our first contract being for Kennecott in Utah. We still operate there today, providing tailings management. We serve the industry by providing everything from mine development to contract mining, including leach pads, tailing facilities, and project management, as well as mechanical solutions up to the process facility and production side of projects. 

How active is the US mining sector today? 

There is no shortage of opportunities these days, either in mining or businesses connected to it, thanks to the current political environment and the emphasis on critical minerals. The challenge, however, lies in planning, given the speed at which these opportunities unfold. Today, the frequency at which our services are demanded, and the size of the projects in which we work, are unprecedented. 

The greenfield sector, on the other hand, is not as active for contractors because of the uncertainty in the permitting environment and the time it takes for projects to go to construction. Despite mining being critical for our economy and the future, along with the industry’s commitments to sustainability and the environment, a typical mine in the US takes around 29 years to get all its permits before construction can even start. Still, Ames is optimistic about this sector and the legislation in place to accelerate this process, with many projects being announced. All in all, there is no scarcity of bidding opportunities, and our project pipeline is larger than it has ever been. For example, we were just selected as one of the team members for Hudbay’s Copper World project, through ECI delivery, where we are involved in the PFS and FS. 

What are the advantages of the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) approach?

Contractors used to be the last ones to join the conversation, but the value of incorporating us early is clear. Bringing contractors into the projects in early phases, like PFS or FS, helps advance the projects and provide constructability with an understanding of the cost. ECI allows Ames to bring our expertise to the table early on. 

What will be your specific work at Hudbay within the ECI? 

We will work hand in hand with Hudbay and the other companies regarding design reviews and early-on pricing from PFS to FS. It is a very integrated process, where we push each other to innovate and reach project milestones. 

How is Ames adapting to the current mining boom?

Ames’ strategy is primarily focused on developing our workforce through training and mentoring. We are continuously developing  new programs to help our team grow and to attract new talent. Fortunately, we are not experiencing a workforce shortage, which we believe is a direct result of our focus on our people and skill development. Due to the size and diversity of our equipment fleet, availability hasn’t been an issue. While automation is a trend, I do not see in the foreseeable future the prospect of unmanned construction equipment in mines materializing. Therefore, our primary focus is on people.  

We take pride in our large fleet, which includes thousands of machines, many of them highly specialized. Since we own them, we can be more flexible and responsive to what each client needs. We are constantly investing in and upgrading our equipment. 

In today’s mining boom, where multiple projects are ramping up at once, equipment availability could become a real bottleneck. That’s why working closely with our suppliers is critical. 

What will be Ames’ focus in the next few months?

The critical minerals market offers us an incredible opportunity to grow our relationship with existing clients and engage with new companies. With regard to people, in addition to skill development, mental health is a key focus area for Ames. Mining is a challenging profession, and mental health is a critical component of worksite safety. Because we are committed to our people, we will continue to prioritize their well-being.