Can you give our readers an update on Black Rock Engineering?

Currently the company is undergoing significant growth, looking to expand into civil structural engineering. By adding this discipline to our repertoire, alongside our existing work in mechanical, electrical and automated engineering divisions, Black Rock Engineering (Black Rock) is striving to become a fully rounded business. Right now, we are working on a few interesting projects in the mining field and also with some other local firms as a joint venture for projects in Sudbury. 

Have you encountered any challenges that accompany this expansion?

There has been continued demand for structural engineering across the industry and it is becoming more significant due to the needs of mines, hence our expansion into this area. However, with our growth comes the added challenge of hiring. A lot of our workforce has to come from outside of our Sudbury headquarters, due to the lack of civil or structural engineering programs at local universities, but attracting people to move here is increasingly difficult. This is not just an issue for us but many engineering firms in Sudbury. 

What are the advantages of keeping the mining supply chain within Ontario?

Investing locally is huge for the economy. It retains workers and builds a sense of community that cannot be achieved by outsourcing. It may be more expensive, take longer to fill positions and create challenges that hiring outside of Ontario or offshore would not, but typically you can get better quality work out of our home province. An advantage we have noticed is the ability to get onsite the next day, speeding up the results we can provide to our clients. 

Can you assess the critical minerals market with regards to engineering companies in mining?

Right now, we are finding that the BEV demand is increasing as mines go deeper, due to ventilation restrictions and costs. Many mines are looking to make this transition, which is driving up the price of critical minerals such as nickel and copper that are vital for the BEV supply chain. The economy for critical minerals has become a lot more sporadic than it once was, with different minerals surging in demand, raising and dropping prices more frequently.

What should mining companies consider when partnering with an engineering firm?

While cost is an important factor, I would say it is the speed of turnaround to assist with projects that is very important. With the Ministry of Mines cracking down on different things in the health and safety space, more paperwork and inspections are needed that require help from engineers and thus a quick turnaround is important. If you are able to build a great relationship with a company while expediting and providing quality work, it will set you apart as an engineering firm to be trusted in the industry.

How is the deepening of mines impacting demand for your services?

We are finding that as we go deeper, more air conditioning and ventilation is needed in a mine. Additionally, switching from diesel to electric vehicles at a certain depth is a common request from our clients and this comes with certain hurdles. Some mines in Sudbury have been around for over 100 years, so switching these fleets from diesel necessitates significant engineering work. We have completed several projects relating to how to get sufficient power down to new depths, allocating resources and changing batteries for mines across Ontario. 

Why is collaboration with regulatory bodies important in the mining industry?

In my prior experience as a Development Supervisor, it was clear to me that governmental standards are in place for a reason. When you are constantly around mines it is easy to become complacent to the dangers. Having another set of eyes look at our projects from a neutral viewpoint and point out areas where we can improve is helpful and ensures things stay as safe as possible for everyone involved. The sooner more companies come together to work with the Ministry of Mines, the better it will be for the industry.