Page 25 - Energize December 2022

NEWS

Global teams meet to strategise in

South Africa

n its first gathering of global practices
since the start of Covid-19 lockdowns,
Iover 200 of SRK Consulting’s decision-
makers and experts met in South Africa
for a week in September for an intensive
programme of workshops and strategic
meetings.
Practices across SRK (including SRK
Exploration Services) were represented
with staff from Brazil, Chile, China,
Ghana, Peru, Russia, Turkey, Australia,
Canada, India, Kazakhstan, Argentina,
Columbia, South Africa, US, UK, and DRC. Vis Reddy, managing director, Tim McGurk, group CEO of SRK Global
Vis Reddy, managing director of the SRK South Africa
host practice in South Africa, noted that
the various events of the week helped stems from our extensive and cross-disciplinary knowledge and experience,”
to chart SRK’s direction in the coming said McGurk. “This is the foundation from which we add value to our clients’
years. “We are bringing new service projects.”
offerings into a changing market,” “While online meetings are a valuable tool for enhancing staff interaction in
said Reddy. “This includes integrating hybrid work environments, the significance of in-person interaction and human
environment, social and governance connection can’t be overstated,” McGurk said. “They provide an extra depth of
(ESG) considerations into all aspects understanding and the ability to find something valuable in the side discussions
of our business and looking at new that invariably happen when people are in the same room.”
opportunities such as decarbonisation in He also highlighted that those opportunities created by the digital
mining and climate action.” revolution – such as big data processing – are being embraced by SRK’s
Held in conjunction with the Global consultants to enhance service offerings and techniques. People development
Practice Leaders Group meeting, a and health-and-safety continue to be areas of focus.
series of workshops tackled pressing McGurk emphasised that, as engineers and scientists, SRK professionals
mining industry issues. Topics ranged always strive to do things in better and more efficient ways. “Innovation is
from climate action and tailings dams in our culture, and the opportunities arising from combining subject matter
to innovation and decarbonisation. expertise and new technologies are enormous,” he said. “It’s a key motivating
According to Tim McGurk, group CEO factor in our business and essential to our growth, so we support innovation
of SRK Global, the event connected with time and resources. Continuous innovation is also vital to understanding
the company’s teams across the world and addressing the increasingly complex challenges our clients face.”
to foster networking, innovation and He noted that while there is an understandable level of economic
collaboration. uncertainty in the industry right now, there remain significant drivers of
demand within the mining sector. “SRK is focused on supporting, developing
“We are bringing new and recruiting skilled staff who will continue to deliver high-quality technical
services offerings into a work that supports our clients’ needs,” said McGurk.
changing market.” Reddy said the events of the week were a resounding success. “Attendees
Vis Reddy returned home better prepared to meet the challenges ahead,” he said. “They
know they have the collective strength of the SRK group with them, as well as
“Such connections broaden our renewed connection across our global teams.”
capability to provide expert, As part of its internal ESG approach, SRK plans to offset the event’s carbon
independent advice to our clients, which footprint within South Africa.

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