OPTIMIZE GROUP
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE
From geology to mineral processing we partner with your team on study development, capital projects, execution oversight, due diligence, and operational excellence.
OUR THREE SIMPLE RULES FOR GREAT MINES
OPTIMIZED MINE PLANS.
Our mining engineers have a proven record of delivering exceptional open pit and underground life-of-mine (LoM) plans for projects with varying levels of maturity and commodities worldwide. We combine operational experience and state of the art integrated strategic planning techniques to maximize net asset value (NAV).
JUST RIGHT PLANTS.
Neither over-designed, nor under-designed, we build plants that are just right. Our technical team builds fit for purpose plants, from concept to commissioning. We have seen what works and what doesn't based on extensive commissioning and operational experience. Our team has created significant value for due diligence projects including excess reduction, fatal flaws analysis, and provided investment recommendations.
INTEGRATED AT THE CORE.
We leverage the power of true integration across our core disciplines of mining/geology and mineral processing or infrastructure to tackle any technical challenge. Our collaborative structure and streamlined communication encourage teamwork and cross-functional problem solving.
OUR SERVICES
STUDY DEVELOPMENT
- Preliminary Economic Assessments
- Pre-Feasibility and Trade-Off Studies
- Feasibility Studies
- Value Seeking Engineering
- LOM Plans for Operations
- Mineral Reserves Estimates
- NI 43-101 Compliant Technical Reports
- Qualified Persons for NI 43-101
CAPITAL PROJECTS
- Detailed Design & Engineering
- Capital Expansion Projects
- Sustaining Capital Projects
- Debottlenecking / Plant Optimizations
- Pre-Feasibility Evaluations & Trade-Offs
- Testwork Program Definition & Management
- "Fit for Intended Use" Design
- Site Assessments
- Site Construction Management
- Ramp Up, Operating & Revenue Objectives
EXECUTION OVERSIGHT
- Strategic Project Oversight & Governance
- Study Management & Stage-Gating
- Risk Assessment & Management
- Project Controls
- Procurement, Contracting & Logistics
- Training & Change Management
- Construction Management Services
- Operational Readiness Support
DUE DILIGENCE REVIEW
- CAPEX / OPEX Reviews
- Remediation Costs for "Ready to Operate"
- Closure Plan / Closure Cost Reviews
- Identify "Big Issue Items" or Fatal Flaws
- Implementation Strategies and Schedules
- Review of Workforce Requirements
- Mine Engineering Review and Execution
- Operational Readiness
- Site Assessments
THE OPTIMIZE ADVANTAGE
GET THE A-TEAM.
Our leadership team has a reputation for building high-performing teams and consistently delivering project value from scoping studies to commissioning.
TRUE MENTORSHIP.
We provide bespoke training and true mentorship. We invest in our people and in yours — building capability that lasts well beyond the project.
BUILT ON TRUST.
The foundation of our culture is based on trust and is co-created to bring out the best in everyone. We show up with integrity, every time.
PASSION & PURPOSE.
We are passionate about mining and driven by purpose. We partner with your team to deliver exceptional outcomes — from early-stage studies through to commissioning and beyond.
NO EMPTY PROMISES.
We do what is right, not what is easy. We don't make excuses and our word is our commitment. We provide high quality work, delivered efficiently. We are passionate and driven. And you can count on us to work with transparency and honesty. Good or bad, we will tell you. Your challenges matter to us.
WE TURN CHALLENGES INTO INNOVATION.
We are always looking to do things better, add more value, solve real problems, and leverage innovation to keep you ahead of the game. We are committed to continuous improvement and advancing the mining industry through collaboration with our various partners.
HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Mining is essential to maintain and improve the lives of everyone on the planet. It is not a question of whether we mine, it is a question of how. We support project development and continuous improvement initiatives that consider environmental and social factors. We are in business for the long term and strive for sustaining value through the actions we take and the relationships we create.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
PRESIDENT
TARA GILFILLAN
Tara is a passionate entrepreneur with experience in human resources, operations, marketing, business development, and strategic planning, having held various senior executive roles in the mining sector. She understands the value of excellent communication, good people, and impeccable customer service.
Tara also brings a love and appreciation for coffee. It's infectious.
VICE-PRESIDENT, ENGINEERING
IAN MCKENZIE
Ian is an exceptional and innovative leader in process plant design complete from run-of-mine feed material to valued end products. Extensive international exposure allowing for multiple perspectives for process plant and system designs.
Ian also brings a love for well-oiled machines. Nothing excites him more than a well designed, smoothly operated mineral process plant.
OUR CULTURE IS BASED ON TRUST.
We bring out the best in everyone.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
GEOLOGY
From exploration to mineral resources, ore control, and geo-metallurgical services, our team has you covered. With experienced experts powered by the latest tools, we provide solutions that you trust.
GEOTECHNICAL
Our geotechnical team consists of experienced professionals with a dynamic background in projects, operations and consulting. We provide stability analysis, modelling, project design criteria, risk analysis and ground control for underground mining, open pit and infrastructure.
MINING
Our mining experts bring diverse and extensive operational and consulting experience in mine planning, backfill, ground control, study management, and cost estimation in both open pit and underground mining.
MINERAL PROCESSING & INFRASTRUCTURE
Our team holds decades of experience engineering and commissioning well-designed, fit-for-purpose mineral processing plants and mine site infrastructure. Our practical and innovative designs can include dry processing methodologies, water reduction, and efficiency enhancement.
SUSTAINABILITY
A WAY OF LIFE.
CULTIVATING A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE, CONSCIOUSNESS, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
We are committed to maximizing positive impacts of mining projects on local communities, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, our internal sustainability policies and client Environmental Social Governance (ESG) objectives. We leverage innovative technologies, develop monitoring strategies, and utilize continuous improvement to roadmap sustainability performance. To create a lasting difference, we are committed to social investment and environmental sustainability by supporting initiatives that give a "hand-up" rather than a "hand-out".
TESTIMONIALS
TARA GILFILLAN, PRESIDENT
"I have known and worked with Tara for 15 years. She is one of the most tenacious and hard working professionals I have had the pleasure of being associated with. She has the drive to get the right people on the job at hand, and has the ability to put together very strong teams.
Peter MacPhail
COO, Alamos Gold
IAN MCKENZIE, VICE-PRESIDENT, ENGINEERING
"Working with Ian is an eye opener to simplification for both construction and operations of plants. His natural talents as an engineer transform the concepts oftentimes complex to simple practical designs. I would recommend Ian on any project as principal or reviewer to unlock opportunities to reduce capital cost and improve reliability.
Philippe Gaultier
Vice President, IAMGOLD Corp.
"Optimize Group consistently delivers work which exceeds my expectations. It is refreshing to work with a consulting company which truly applies their collective minds to a task and delivers value in unexpected ways.
Barry Murphy
Vice President, Engineering, Torex Gold Resources Inc.
"They have been my secret weapon for a number of due diligence projects with a full scope of work from environmental, permitting and the whole technical spectrum. Their expertise is unparalleled, and they are some of the best I have worked with in the world of consulting and I wholeheartedly recommend them.
Nikki Adshead-Bell
Director, Cupel Advisory Corp.
LOCATIONS
WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE.
We have offices in three continents: Toronto (Canada), Brisbane (Australia), and Belo Horizonte (Brazil), with projects around the globe. Our team can support you in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Toronto, Canada
133 Richmond Street West, Suite 602, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H2L3
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
1.465 Paraiba Street, Suite 1001, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, CEP 30.130.148
Brisbane, Australia
126 Margaret Street, Level 7, Suite 3, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4000
