SRK Consulting Opens a new office in Mexico
A strong resurgence in investment activity in Mexico’s minerals industry in the wake of the
GFC, and solid relationships with a number of key clients, have prompted SRK Consulting to
open its fourth office in Latin America.
The leading international mining consultancy inaugurated the office in Zacatecas, Mexico,
last month.
Mexico’s improved mining regulatory framework and attractive investment rules have
underpinned stronger foreign and domestic minerals sector investment while reducing
uncertainty around greenfield development and expansion projects. A recent forecast of the
Mexican mining chamber put potential investment by mining companies in Mexico between
2010 and 2012 at more than $US13 billion.
“As a strong trading partner of the US and Canada, Mexico offers an attractive business
environment for our services,” said Terry Braun, SRK Consulting principal, who is leading the
new office team.
“We also see Mexico as strategic in terms of building the global SRK consulting practice as
we will enhance opportunities to collaborate between our established offices in North and
South America.”
SRK first flagged the opening of a Mexico office two years ago after its work with Fresnillo
PLC, the country’s largest primary silver producer and second largest gold producer, to list
on the London Stock Exchange. This experience in gaining access to international investment
capital helped pave the way to a more open‐door policy for foreign‐based consultants
working in Mexico, according to Mr Braun.
“The success of the Fresnillo IPO raised awareness of domestic and other foreign‐based
mining companies and the potential for raising capital outside of Mexico,” he said.
Zacatecas is strategically located near a number of existing and planned long‐term precious
and base metal mining operations. SRK will offer strategic consulting services to mining
companies, including technical and economic assessments of projects based on
international standards.
Prior to establishing SRK Mexico, SRK maintained an active project backlog in Mexico and
Latin America. This included a wide‐range of technical and economic assessment type
studies. For example, a large base metal mining company retained SRK to perform a
resource audit of its in‐country portfolio; a major steel producer recently engaged SRK to
assist in development plans for a mine expansion plan; and SRK conducted a detailed
geotechnical assessment of a proposed open‐pit expansion for a large copper producer.
Sr. Luis Arroyo, a mining engineer with more than 30 years’ experience in Mexico’s mining
industry, is the director for SRK Mexico. The management team will be assisted by various
technical professionals already working in Mexico.
“A key goal is to enhance the SRK brand by increasing our roster of bi‐lingual technical
specialists who are familiar with our consulting culture, methodology and Mexican mining
industry,” Mr Braun said.
GFC, and solid relationships with a number of key clients, have prompted SRK Consulting to
open its fourth office in Latin America.
The leading international mining consultancy inaugurated the office in Zacatecas, Mexico,
last month.
Mexico’s improved mining regulatory framework and attractive investment rules have
underpinned stronger foreign and domestic minerals sector investment while reducing
uncertainty around greenfield development and expansion projects. A recent forecast of the
Mexican mining chamber put potential investment by mining companies in Mexico between
2010 and 2012 at more than $US13 billion.
“As a strong trading partner of the US and Canada, Mexico offers an attractive business
environment for our services,” said Terry Braun, SRK Consulting principal, who is leading the
new office team.
“We also see Mexico as strategic in terms of building the global SRK consulting practice as
we will enhance opportunities to collaborate between our established offices in North and
South America.”
SRK first flagged the opening of a Mexico office two years ago after its work with Fresnillo
PLC, the country’s largest primary silver producer and second largest gold producer, to list
on the London Stock Exchange. This experience in gaining access to international investment
capital helped pave the way to a more open‐door policy for foreign‐based consultants
working in Mexico, according to Mr Braun.
“The success of the Fresnillo IPO raised awareness of domestic and other foreign‐based
mining companies and the potential for raising capital outside of Mexico,” he said.
Zacatecas is strategically located near a number of existing and planned long‐term precious
and base metal mining operations. SRK will offer strategic consulting services to mining
companies, including technical and economic assessments of projects based on
international standards.
Prior to establishing SRK Mexico, SRK maintained an active project backlog in Mexico and
Latin America. This included a wide‐range of technical and economic assessment type
studies. For example, a large base metal mining company retained SRK to perform a
resource audit of its in‐country portfolio; a major steel producer recently engaged SRK to
assist in development plans for a mine expansion plan; and SRK conducted a detailed
geotechnical assessment of a proposed open‐pit expansion for a large copper producer.
Sr. Luis Arroyo, a mining engineer with more than 30 years’ experience in Mexico’s mining
industry, is the director for SRK Mexico. The management team will be assisted by various
technical professionals already working in Mexico.
“A key goal is to enhance the SRK brand by increasing our roster of bi‐lingual technical
specialists who are familiar with our consulting culture, methodology and Mexican mining
industry,” Mr Braun said.