Potash One fka KCL

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Some background from July 2002

Global engineering powerhouse opens offices at Innovation Place

One of the world’s largest engineering firms, AMEC Inc., now has a corporate presence at Innovation Place in Saskatoon.

AMEC E&C (Engineering & Construction) Services Limited is one of 250 worldwide AMEC plc offices. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the engineering giant employs a combined workforce of 50,000 employees. In November of 2001, the global engineering firm relocated its offices from the Sutherland industrial area to Innovation Place, occupying 15,800 square feet of office space in the newly-dedicated Dr. Jack McFaull Building, located at 421 Downey Road.

AMEC’s Saskatoon office specializes in engineering, construction, environmental and technology solutions for the mining, mineral processing, chemical production, forestry, power, oil/gas and food processing industries. The Saskatoon staff of 65 offers multi-disciplinary engineering capabilities in consultancy, design, delivery and commissioning through to maintenance and operation.

The engineering construction division works with many of Canada’s largest resource companies, including Agrium, International Minerals Corp., Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Asia Pacific Resources, Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting, Cameco Corporation, Cogema Resources, TransGas, SaskPower and Weyerhaeuser.

Potash mining is a particular specialty of the engineering firm, which has served the Saskatchewan market through its predecessor companies (Cominco Engineering, H.A. Simons Ltd., Cambrian Engineering, AGRA/Simons) for more than 30 years. AMEC is one of the very few companies worldwide which can offer integrated services specific to potash, from mining to material handling, ore processing to product delivery.

In just the last decade, AMEC has undertaken more than 25 studies and projects at potash mines and mills around the globe. Included in the range of consulting services offered by AMEC E&C are deposit assessments, supervised process testwork, feasibility studies and preparation of efficient and cost-effective mine and plant designs.

Three corporate guide words best describe AMEC - Knowledge, Innovation and Technology - says AMEC E&C manager of operations Mike Ferguson. “Our business is a technology business, bringing state-of-the-art technological solutions to our clients through knowledge and innovation,” says Ferguson.

AMEC E&C marketing co-ordinator Natalie Johnson says, “We do a lot of feasibility studies on new mine development. We also provide solutions for modifications and improvements to existing mines and structures.

“Because we are a multi-disciplinary engineering firm, we bring significant expertise to all aspects of mining - including structural, mechanical and electrical engineering. The disciplines all work together within the different functions of a mine.”

The specialized expertise of AMEC E&C engineers is in demand around the globe. “Our manager Will Brandsema promotes this office internationally as a potash and uranium knowledge centre. Obviously, the Saskatchewan market drives what we do here, but potash is mined around the world. Mr. Brandsema is currently conducting a phosphate mining feasibility study in Australia,” says Johnson. Other engineers in the AMEC office have recently consulted on projects in Jordan, Thailand and Argentina.

“The expertise of our staff is recognized around the world. Companies from around the world frequently request specific individuals on our staff for their particular knowledge and expertise. They are truly world-renowned.”

Among AMEC E&C’s current Saskatchewan projects is consultation involving Cogema Resources’ JEB mill at McClean Lake.

“Clients want the best knowledge that they can draw. They are also looking for the most cost-effective ways to solve a problem or improve production. Project management is another strength of AMEC E&C. We have significant expertise in managing large industrial projects. This, coupled with the latest in project management software, helps us manage every aspect of a project, from small to large,” says Johnson.

Being part of an international engineering firm also means that AMEC’s Saskatoon office can source experts from within the corporation’s global network of 50,000 employees. “We can draw on global resources, either through our international marketing department, or through our intranet search function. The search engine will produce a lengthy list of AMEC experts in a specific area of specialty. There are times when we need to pull in a specialist from the U.K., for example, or where they’ve needed to use some of our people. It’s a great business resource,” says Johnson.

What advantages does Innovation Place bring to one of the world’s largest engineering firms?

“Innovation Place has an atmosphere of invention and inventiveness, which we believe matches our own approach,” says Ferguson. “We hope to take advantage of the synergy of outlook and approach to help grow our business.”

By locating at Innovation Place, AMEC E&C now enjoys proximity to several of its clients who are also located in the park. “By being here, we hope to be closer to them in their day-to-day work. We also hope to gain additional clients from our interaction with tenants of the research park,” says Ferguson.