Over the past 47 years, WGM has been involved in several mineral market studies for governments around the world, including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Tanzania, to name but three. While some studies have been funded by the World Bank, others have been financed by the local governments in an effort raise the profile of their mineral assets in the world market.

To highlight the impact of WGM's work in this area, many of today's explorers in Saudi Arabia are still referencing our comprehensive mineral studies of this region.

If you are interested in learning more about WGM's expertise in this area, please contact us.

 

 

Recently the TSE/OSC Mining Standards Task Force released a report including a key recommendation to formalize and enhance the Qualified Person ("QP") concept in the Canadian mining industry.

The implementation of the Qualified Person concept has had a major impact on junior mining companies.

A QP is defined as "an individual, who is an engineer or geoscientist with at least 5 years experience in mineral exploration, mine development, operations or project assessment, including experience relevant to the subject matter of the project or report, and is a member in good standing of a recognized professional association".

A QP is to be responsible for:

A QP can be an in-house person, but there are specific circumstances where reports must be prepared by a QP who is independent of the company.

These are technical reports filed by a mining company in connection with:

In practice however, many companies are retaining independent QP’s in an expanded role which includes a technical review their projects on an ongoing basis. This affords management and directors of the company, as well as investors and regulatory authorities, with an additional level of comfort. An added benefit of such an ongoing review is that when an independent report is required, the independent QP is already familiar with the project and has signed off on the work. Thus, the reports can be prepared in a timely and cost effective manner and no unpleasant surprises are encountered.

WGM is ideally suited to this kind of a QP role. WGM is a long established firm with an excellent reputation. Our geologists have extensive experience in a variety of geological environments worldwide. With its experience in geological, mining and metallurgical aspects of projects, WGM is in an excellent position to be involved in the project from initial exploration through to production.

In carrying out these type of assignments, WGM typically reviews work plans, budgets, exploration progress, and results, and provides the client with its comments on the suitability of the programs on a monthly basis in a letter report format. WGM evaluates the geologic models considered, and provides advice on exploration strategies. This includes advice on the best practices to be followed, and the quality control required to ensure the validity of the exploration data. WGM reviews exploration results provided by the client, including monthly progress reports, and provides the client with an independent opinion on the significance of the results. WGM also reviews public disclosure by the client prior to release to verify that the disclosure is technically accurate. Recommendations are made as to appropriate follow-up exploration. As required, WGM makes site visits to enable it to be able to independently verify exploration results.

WGM’s role is strictly advisory and the client remains entirely responsible for the management and execution of the exploration program.

A particular concern, especially for junior mining companies is the cost of this work. By initiating a regular reporting system and setting up reporting standards in conjunction with the client, high quality monthly reports are prepared by the client’s field personnel. These minimize the time required to review the data, thereby reducing the cost to the client. They also provide the client with a record of exploration results and progress.

The greatest proportion of the cost is usually associated with site visits. These can be significant for remote properties overseas. WGM staff regularly travels to many areas of the globe. Whenever possible, these site visits are organized so that costs can be shared by more than one client.

The ongoing review process is cost effective as WGM as the QP is familiar with current data and can readily prepare specific reports required by regulatory authorities. As a result, when such reports are required, a significant proportion of the cost of the ongoing review is recouped in the cost savings achieved in the preparation of the report.

Therefore, the net cost of the ongoing review of a project by an independent Qualified Person is very minimal, while affording the client and its investors an additional level of comfort that the work being carried out is of the highest quality.

 

 

 

WGM brings together experts in administration, language and technical training, data management, GIS, computer science, geoscience and laboratory management. WGM believes that institutional services in the government must be competently staffed, employ sound administrative practices and provide a broad range of support to the investor including basic geological data, geoscience survey data and land title data. For example, if the Government wishes to provide a local analytical capability, then it must provide high-quality data in a cost effective manner.

WGM has provided advice to Government as to where it should institute the reforms needed to make the regulatory regime more attractive to foreign investment. Three tenets form the basis for WGM's approach:

1. Security of Title;
2. Regulatory Transparency; and
3. an Attractive Fiscal Regime.

Recent WGM activity has also included providing advice concerning cost-recovery programs related to the provision of geoscience support to companies. WGM has completed institutional strengthening projects in the Republic of Yemen, Ghana, Tanzania, Ecuador,Argentina and Saudi Arabia.

 

 

Many of Canada's First Nations communities are entering into high stakes negotiations with governments and exploration/mining companies, aimed at clarifying the rights and responsibilities of each party to manage, protect, and develop the resources within traditional territories. Whether First Nations are interested in jobs, partnerships and joint ventures, or simply exercising greater oversight to protect the land and community, WGM can help First Nations communities make informed decisions in order to realize long-term benefits and manage the risks of mineral resource development.

At WGM, we believe that “win-win” outcomes can be achieved if all parties are pro-active in building relationships based on the principles of open communication, mutual respect, and sustainable development, right from the early stages of exploration. WGM can also offer support to First Nations as they negotiate land claims or land management agreements with the Crown. In these negotiations, it is vital for First Nations to understand the true economic potential and likely locations of the mineral resources within their territories.

WGM is an independent and respected source of expertise. Over the past 45 years it has built a strong reputation for offering sound advice on every aspect of the minerals industry, with a specialty in mineral resource and mineral reserve audits and estimates. WGM's team of qualified professionals has advised governments, mining companies, banks, and law firms from around the world. Most notably, WGM advised and helped Native groups in Alaska select territory containing the best mineral prospects for their land settlements, which ultimately led to new discoveries and mines being developed.

WGM is interested in empowering First Nations to make the best decisions possible for the sustainable development of their land and communities.

We are capable of providing our First Nations clients with assistance in the following areas:

• Evaluation of the mineral resource potential and/or lost resource revenues for lands subject to claims negotiations with the Crown;
• Advice in negotiating equitable compensation or terms for mineral resource based agreements;
• Independent evaluation of technical reports submitted by mineral companies operating on First Nation s traditional territory;
• Facilitation of partnership agreements between First Nations and mineral companies;
• Expert advice for First Nations interested in developing their own mineral resources;
• Negotiating equitable Impacts and Benefits Agreements that ensure meaningful economic benefits to the community, while providing effective environmental protection measures; and
• Implementing resource-focused training programs.