Heavy industry

The Heavy Industries such as mining and oil & gas are undergoing transformative changes. With heightened awareness and regulatory pressures regarding environmental sustainability, companies are increasingly focused on reducing their carbon footprints and transitioning towards more sustainable practices. This transition is driven by technological advancements, evolving consumer expectations, and the need for resilience in a volatile market environment.

In the mining sector, the demand for minerals critical to renewable energy technologies is increasing, while the industry also faces the challenge of modernising aging infrastructure and enhancing operational efficiencies. Similarly, the oil & gas industry must balance the ongoing demand for fossil fuels with the need to invest in cleaner, alternative energy sources and technologies.

To ensure continuity of operations and to achieve financial performance targets, heavy industry operations require their large-scale plant and equipment to achieve target availability and utilisation rates, and to be low on the operating cost curve. To achieve this, the operations require continuity of supply of critical items at competitive prices for key inputs such as equipment parts, fuel, consumables, and labour.

Challenges in the heavy industry

Heavy industries are capital-intensive and operate under strict regulatory and environmental standards. Companies must navigate these challenges while ensuring profitability and sustainability. Key challenges include:

Environmental Impact: Reducing emissions, managing waste, and implementing sustainable practices.
Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to increasingly stringent environmental and safety regulations.
Labour Shortages: Ensuring enough qualified labour to operate and maintain equipment, particularly in regional areas.
Operational Efficiency: Enhancing productivity and reducing costs through technological innovation and process optimisation.
Market Volatility: Managing the risks associated with fluctuating commodity prices and geopolitical uncertainties.
Infrastructure Modernisation: Investing in and upgrading aging infrastructure to improve efficiency and safety.
Supply of Critical Items: To secure supplies of critical items such as off-the-road tyres, explosives and other items at supply capacity.
Procurement and Inventory Management: Ensuring the timely and cost-effective procurement of materials, managing spare parts inventory, and maintaining equipment.
Maintenance and After-Market Support: Implementing effective maintenance strategies and providing robust after-market support to ensure operational continuity and efficiency.

How we can help with the heavy industry

At Argon & Co we assist our Heavy Industry clients in enhancing their operational performance across the entire value chain, from exploration and production to processing and distribution. Our services include:

Cost Reduction

Implementing strategies to minimise operational costs and improve profitability.

Operational Readiness

Ensuring newly acquired mines are ready to operate at completion date.

Facility and Equipment Improvement

Upgrading and maintaining infrastructure to ensure safety and efficiency.

Cash Optimisation

Enhancing financial management practices to ensure optimal cash flow and investment.

Customer Process Optimisation

Streamlining processes to improve customer satisfaction and service delivery.

Operational Efficiency

Leveraging technology and best practices to boost productivity and reduce waste.

Procurement Services

Providing strategic procurement solutions to secure cost-effective and timely acquisition of materials and services.

Spare Parts and Inventory Management

Optimizing inventory levels to ensure the availability of critical spare parts while minimising holding costs.

Maintenance and After-Market Support

Developing and implementing comprehensive maintenance programs and after-market support services to ensure operational reliability and extend the life of assets.

Our approach

We combine technical expertise, industry knowledge, and practical experience to help our clients address their most pressing challenges and achieve sustainable results. Our approach is personal and pragmatic, ensuring that we understand the unique needs of each client and deliver tailored solutions. By fostering collaboration and buy-in at all levels of the organisation, we ensure successful and lasting outcomes.

At Argon & Co, we are committed to supporting Heavy Industries as they navigate the complexities of today’s market and work towards a more sustainable and profitable future. We have worked with BHP, Whitehaven Coal, Thiess, BUMA, Emeco, Newcrest, Downer, Idemitsu and Stanmore Coal.