AME Roundup: TMG’s Takeaways

TMG_User on April 28, 2022

AME Roundup: TMG’s Takeaways

2022 Brings Continual Growth During a Time of Pivoting and Constant Change.

For many of us, the last two years have blended together into what we can now describe as a blink of an eye. While going through a global pandemic was life changing for some, and no easy feat for anyone, we think most can attest to the fact that it feels almost surreal and as though the years 2020 and 2021 just ultimately spilled into 2022. On a personal and social level, the Covid-19 pandemic brought new behaviours and modifications to our lifestyles and health precautions. While on a business scope, it proved to be a time to pivot with changing times, and to establish your resiliency and ability to adapt to a new business and economic landscape.

It is, and always has been, about constant growth and continual improvement for us.

Growth and New Opportunities.

When we look back at the last couple of years for TMG, we say with confidence that it was a time of growth and new opportunities. Things did not lock down or pause in our world, and for that we are grateful. TMG pivoted to Covid regulations and new expectations, all while building an unparalleled team of experts in project management and Owner’s team representation. It is, and always has been, about constant growth, learning, and continual improvement for us. And 2022 was kicked off with just that in mind.

Members of the TMG team had the opportunity to attend the 2022 AME Roundup conference, and started the year off with valuable insight into industry-leading technical sessions that spotlighted “successes in overcoming challenges to succeed using a combination of tried and tested techniques and innovative solutions.”

“Hosted by explorers for explorers, AME’s annual Roundup conference is the mineral exploration industry’s premier opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and inspire new exploration projects: Projects that are critical to a strong economic recovery, supplying materials for a climate-smart future, and sustaining vibrant regional communities for generations to come.”
www.roundup.amebc.ca

This year’s AME Roundup (#AMERoundup2022) was presented as a hybrid conference with both in-person and online content available. Hosted at the Vancouver Convention Centre (and online), with a call to engage, connect, and evolve, industry visionaries collaborated and shared in a collective effort to keep the industry of mining exploration at the height of its game. Top tier exhibitors welcomed visitors to their booths, with innovative ideas and products, while the available technical sessions had everyone honing in on their skills and resources. Attending AME Roundup was a truly invaluable experience which Peter Woodhouse, President of TMG relished.

According to Peter, “AME Roundup was a great event and one of the first in the industry for 2022 that allowed people to once again gather, interact and speak in-person since the pandemic started.

There were many takeaways from AME Roundup that were of great interest; specifically, the on-going growth in responsible exploration and mining. Canada’s growth in Clean tech: electric vehicles, wind and solar power and Canada’s ability to be a major player in providing the minerals required while still fulfilling our climate commitments to a low carbon future. Another great presentation (one close to home) was on the growth of responsibly sourced critical-mineral opportunities in Ontario.

One of the highlights of AME personally was being able to connect with the extraordinary Lana Eagle who was instrumental at organizing and presenting AME’s “The Gathering Place”. The overall focus for the three sessions was on how best to work on building and strengthening Indigenous partnerships with the mineral exploration and mining industries, but also creating mutually-beneficial mining projects between First Nations and the industry.

For us at TMG, being involved in projects that are on First Nations’ land, especially in British Columbia, makes it even more important and critical to explore how we can grow our role, as well as our responsibility and relationships with the Indigenous Community, including in the sourcing of vendors, procurement and other roles within the industry.”

Here We Grow Again.

TMG provides more than just industry and project insight… we specialize in project management and provide efficient and reliable oversight. Our collective years of expertise enable us to get things done faster – ultimately saving our clients’ time, and helping them honour their project budget. We value the importance of talent and the right people, and that’s why we are always investing in our growing team.

Meet our newest team members: Monika and Max

Monika Baird is a TMG Project Specialist, currently working on the Newcrest Red Chris mine. She comes from a background of project management in the residential buildings and high-rise industry. Monika is proud of her two beautiful puppies and loves taking them for long walks as she explores surrounding neighbourhoods.

“TMG has provided the opportunity to learn and work in a thriving new environment.”

Max Fryer, Procurement & Project Controls Specialist at TMG, is responsible for vendor relations and project budget control. Max has extensive project coordinator experience in the construction industry. He lived and worked in England and Australia and is an active rugby union player.

TMG has a primary focus on people and opening their doors. If you show the willingness to learn, TMG will take you on the path to success.”

Your TMG Team

TMG provides a unique oversight service to mining company executives and project owners who are, or will be, engaged in growing or enhancing their enterprise through capital projects. Our collective years of expertise enable us to get things done faster – ultimately saving you precious time, and helping you honour your project budget. In an industry where timing is everything, bringing TMG in at the right stage of your investment to be the eyes and ears for the project is critical.
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Let’s Connect and discover how we can help you bring your projects in on time.

A Job Done with Integrity.

TMG_User on February 27, 2022

A Job Done with Integrity.

A Glance into Ethics and Procurement in Mining.

We’ve all heard it before…you’re only as strong as your weakest link. Well, just like any industry or business, the mining and engineering ‘chain’ also uses and relies on the strength and quality of products or services of other businesses to get the job done and meet their ultimate goals of quality execution, completion, and success. From procuring the services of consulting companies, to sourcing large machinery and equipment, it all falls into the realm of procurement and ethical business decisions.

Procurement affects all aspects of our business, from engineering to supplies. It is the discipline that is responsible for acquiring any item, product, service, or skill, through contractual engagements. An effective and thorough tender process helps ensure our industry is maintaining integrity, equal opportunity, fairness, and, whenever possible, sustainable procurement that considers the impact of environmental, economical, and diversity and inclusion in the services offered, along with price and quality.

TMG boasts a reputation of fair and ethical business practices.

TMG is proud of our reputation of fair and ethical business practices, not only because of our amazingly dedicated team, but also because of our meticulous commitment (almost stubbornness) to maintain strict project procedures for each and every purchase decision. Cutting corners and skipping steps have never been a consideration, and Ashanie Gordon Bailey, CCMAP Procurement, Contracts and Commercial Manager at TMG makes certain of it. Ashanie has years of experience leading the procurement efforts on large mining sites. She is currently leading the procurement practices on TMG’s mining projects.

Meet Ashanie.

*Ashanie Gordon Bailey, CCMAP Procurement, Contracts & Commercial Manager*

Ashanie Gordon Bailey is an experienced and accomplished commercial mining professional, responsible for the Procurement, Contracting and Supply Chain function on mining projects. Ashanie has a wide range of experience in project management, procurement management, risk management, and supply chain management. Her work has provided her with extensive exposure and experience in projects around the world, leading to her global mindset.

She has dedicated her professional career to delivering results in a wide range of Management positions of increasing responsibility that have taken her to operations in Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, New Caledonia, Brazil, and other key locations. These diverse assignments have provided her with in-depth experience in the strategic and operational aspects of Procurement and Supply Chain. Ashanie has a deep understanding of the challenges and operational risks surrounding mining projects based on increasing demands and complexity placed on mining supply chains. She is passionate about maximising project value by unlocking innovative contracting strategies and leveraging local business partnerships.

How does TMG do things differently?
We focus our task as we work through the Procurement Cycle on Fair and Ethical tendering by ensuring the tenders are competitive, that there is transparency and all the proponents are entering the tender process on the same footing.

Information disseminated is done where no bidder has advance knowledge of the tender documents. TMG also takes the time to schedule and conduct debriefing sessions with the unsuccessful proponents, using this as a medium of communicating where their proposal was lacking. We are aware that the proponents usually spend a significant amount of time, money, and effort in preparing proposals. Accordingly, if they are unsuccessful, we should support them by communicating where their submission was lacking, of course while maintaining the integrity of the tender process.

TMG’s Procurement Process.
The tender process usually involves 3 to 6 potential candidates bidding for the work/product/service/job. In some cases, a Sole Source reasoning will detail why choosing to award the project to a single source supplier is justified. Otherwise the tender process will be issued to market as a competitive tender.

A competitive tender is initiated and Procurement compares proposals received through a Request For Proposal/Quotation (RFP/RFQ) process, which details the scope of work, data sheets, requirements, schedules, anything and everything that would be required of the proponents to submit a complete and detailed bid. Contracts are usually then awarded within 2-3 weeks of the RFP/RFQ submission deadline.

How do we then conduct a fair and ethical selection process? There are various methods used by the TMG team as a whole. Aconex, by Oracle, is a well-known web-based tool, which provides interested candidates with equal opportunity to the bid(s) available during a pre-determined and specified timeline, while driving efficiencies in project controls and document management. This assures everyone has the same access to RFP/RFQs for the same amount of time.

TMG then conducts commercial and technical bid evaluations and adjudications prior to awarding any project. As the procurement lead, Ashanie categorizes information into Commercial and Technical/Engineering aspects. Our technical team evaluates based on the technical specifications and a specific ranking system, while our commercial team evaluates based on cost control, schedule, logistics, expediting, and other specific project requirements. TMG has developed and standardized forms and a ranking system that then allows us to present all of the data ranking using a quantitative analysis. This is hugely important, since it essentially eliminates any risk of subjective biases from any team member.

The adjudication process then occurs with the TMG Project Manager dispelling information to the decision maker internally or direct to our client. Holding ourselves to the same standards our clients would is critically important to, not only our continued success, but also to a restful sleep at night with peace-of-mind.

So what does ethical procurement mean to you, our customer?
An important goal in the procurement process is to ensure that any pre-existing contracts are competitive with current market rates. Procurement is done on behalf of the client – with your best interest in mind. Procurement analyzes and compares quality products and services, at an acceptable and competitive value.

TMG recently added a Project Cost Controller and Procurement Specialist, Max Fryer, to our team. Max brings to the TMG Team a diverse background in Construction Cost Controls and Contract Administration. He leverages his experience in Site Procurement and Execution to ensure sourcing and procurement at the initial stages of any project will fully support the needs of the Mine Site during the Construction phase. This value-add provides for additional opportunities to the mining projects.

The hard fact that so many businesses have experienced procurement and supply chain disruptions by the global Covid-19 pandemic has not gone unnoticed. TMG is extremely proud of the fact that our stringent procurement practices have not been negatively impacted – and that is a testament to our team’s pledge to quality and doing the job right, led by Ashanie Gordon Bailey who is continually strengthening our commitment to ethical procurement.

TMG takes a careful and objective approach to each and every thoughtful insight and recommendation. We look. We listen. We act on your behalf with integrity.

Your TMG Team

Let’s connect and discover how we can help you bring your projects in on time.