1. Study of Mining Industry Economics - Not-for-Profit Mining Industry Association
A&S was retained to conduct a special study regarding the economics of the mining industry by developing and conducting a program to examine the overall economics of the mining industry on behalf of this mining industry association. (150-18)
2. Sulfur Market Study - Major North American Mining Company
Forecast of world sulfur supply and demand out over 20 years and an examination of the industry dynamics (markets, competition, price, technology, etc.), with reference to elemental sulfur, liquid sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid. In addition, a survey was made of leading producers, distributors and end-users in North America, focusing on the fertilizer industry, which is the major market for sulfur. (229-9)
3. Review of an Iron Ore Supply Strategy - Major Integrated Steel Company
A&S conducted a study reviewing this major integrated steel company's commitment to domestic and international iron ore mining and processing facilities which was reevaluated in the light of the changing world steel markets and steelmaking technologies. (298-2)
4 Multi-Business Review and Briefings - Confidential Client
A major multi-national natural resource company requested A&S to prepare and present business overview analyses of nine commodities including copper, iron ore, oil and gas, coal, gold, titanium, diamonds, platinum group metals, and nickel plus an overview of the relevant geology and exploration issues impacting these commodities. A&S utilized teams of experts managing from one to three people for each commodity. A total of twenty professionals completed this assignment in two weeks.
Our work consisted of providing the client with the industrial knowledge of each commodity as well as the key economic indicators and drivers for each group. A&S focused on seven areas shown below to give the client the desired knowledge about each commodity /business sector. They were as follows:
(1) Resource base: mineralogy, geology, and mineral economics of reserve/ resource;
(2) Overview of processing flow path, technologies and investment requirements;
(3) Demand Analysis: consumption segments, growth drivers, growth rates, aggregate demand, etc.;
(4) Commodity pricing - commercial frameworks and pricing trends;
(5) Supply Analysis: cost curves, capacity, emerging projects and industry participants;
(6) Competitive analyses focusing on selected major companies within the sector as well as apparent strategies, strengths and weaknesses; and
(7) Recent industry 'news' and current issues and implications of same.
5. Nickel Business Study - Major Australian Minerals Producer
A&S was retained to assist the client in identifying and evaluating business strategies for the nickel business. The essence of the work involved: reviewing its focus and expenditures on nickel, reviewing sources of projections of the nickel and cobalt markets, supply and demand, evaluating the general aspects of acid pressure leaching processes and comparing it with proprietary processes, evaluating and providing the company with a better understanding of many of the broader nickel issues and establishing a scope for further work to render improvements/supplements in that understanding. (723-2 ASA)
6. Corporate Development Study - Machine Tool Company
A major corporate development study focusing on (1) the need for diversification, and (2) identification and analysis of alternative businesses. By analyzing the company's future goals and objectives and forecasting the future performance of the company's current businesses in its present and potential markets we concluded that diversification into other businesses was necessary.
We worked with the Board and management to develop criteria to evaluate various alternatives. After identifying numerous potential businesses and evaluating each against the selection criteria, we recommended those businesses as diversification possibilities that most clearly fit the company's objectives. (276-2)
7. Provide an Economic Evaluation of Mining and Railroad Businesses - Major Multi - Industry Company
A&S was hired by a major multi-industry corporation company to provide an economic evaluation of its coal mining and coal railroad businesses. Extensive site visits and personnel interviews were conducted in both businesses. A major computer model was developed for each business allowing a wide range of production, cost, pricing, etc. scenarios to be examined. Expected demand for coking coal was analyzed. A comparative analysis of competing coals worldwide was done to include mining costs, rail and ship transportation charges, port charges, coal quality and currency exchange rates. (760-3)
8. Study of Demand for Thermal Coal in Western Europe - Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Government
This study supported the U.S. Department of Energy's participation in the President's Interagency Coal Export Task Force (ICE). The study encompassed 13 Western European countries and for each examined in detail (1) a 20-year forecast of thermal coal demand, (2) the problems likely to be encountered with expanded coal use, (3) present and future coal supply patterns, and (4) the infrastructure for moving coal to the end-user. The competitive position of the U.S. versus other coal-producing countries was examined. (313-1)
9. Industry Market Study - Boiler Manufacturer
Made a market study for the purpose of reviewing our client's forecasts of the market for large- and medium-sized boilers sold to the U.S. electric utility industry. (186-1)
10. Major Iron Ore Producer
Our work for this company involved:
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A review, evaluation and "reality check" of its current iron ore strategy in the light of changing customer focus and competition; |
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Working with the Iron Ore Development team to identify and evaluate emerging markets and new technologies; |
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Review assets and potential strategies of competitors; |
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Facilitate the development of, and assist the team, to articulate a new strategy to enable the company to position itself in the emerging global market place; |
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Support the team by assisting it to develop its presentation to the Division' Executive General Manager and then to the Board. (706-35 ASA) |
11. Research and Analysis of the Brazilian Iron Ore Industry - Major Europe-Based Global Investment Bank
Our client was a major investment bank preparing an equity research report on iron ore companies in Brazil. The assignment included an overview of the industry and key facts about the six companies selected by the client for analysis. The study itself took a broad look at the world's economy, the world steel industry and the iron ore market. The work covered a detailed review of the Brazilian iron ore companies and their competitive costs, as well as international iron ore prices. The work examined the economics of the mining, pellet plant operations, logistics in Brazil (including rail systems and railroad cost implications) and ocean transportation. For this work A&S assigned a team of six professionals with backgrounds in global and Brazilian iron ore markets, the economics of the steel industry, iron ore mining and logistics in Brazil including rail, and pellet plant operations. (758-1)
12. Acquisition Analysis - Major Diversified Mining Company
Evaluation of potential acquisition in the specialty metals and specialty chemicals industry. Identified and analyzed industry segments: develop acquisition criteria, determined present and future profitability, determined specific best fit and determined continuing process for evaluation to include identification of subscription services. (310-22)
13. Technical and Operational Support For Refinancing - International Banking Consortium
Provided principal technical and operations staff support covering mining operations and business analysis for $400 million refinancing of a major coal asset in central Queensland. (699-5)
14. Business Analysis of Lead and Zinc Business - Major Lead Company
We provided a macro overview of the markets, environmental considerations and principal developments of the international lead business. The work involved review of all key factors impacting on the international lead business using (a) published data, (b) our client's data acquired from various studies and (c) our own knowledge base. (698-1)
15. Review of Forecast Demand for Coal - Multi-Country Energy Association
Review of an international energy agency's projections of future coal demand. We reviewed coal usage projections in Europe prior to these projections being submitted to energy ministers of member companies. (900-37)
16. Technical and Industry Support for Project Finance - Major Investment Banking Firm
Served as part of a support team to a major investment banking firm acting as financial advisor to a large coal development project. Our role was to provide detailed support to the investment banker on coal market issues pertinent to the project financing. (387-4)
