Endeavour The Americas

THE AMERICAS

www.endeavourmagazine.com

UGE INTERNATIONAL

SOLAR-COASTER RIDE

GRU AIRPORT Transforming São Paulo

PIEDMONT LITHIUM LIMITED The Lithium Lifeline UK CAN USA EUR SA ZAR

£4.95 $7.95 $7.95 €5.95 69.00

INSPIRED BY YOUR SUCCESS

YOUR SINGLE SOURCE FOR SERVICE:

READY WHEN AND WHERE YOU NEED US

+ Bolting/Torquing + Concrete Repair + Emissions Control + Exchanger Services + Field Machining + Fitness for Service + Heat Treating + Hot Tap/Line Stop + Isolation Test Plugs + Leak Repair + Manufacturing/Engineering

When it comes to your facility’s service needs, you want a partner who has experienced it all. You want a partner that knows what is wrong and can fix it fast. TEAM Industrial Services provides the resources that can respond promptly with a comprehensive solution in any situation. Whether you are dealing with an emergency pipe repair or scheduled inspections, you can count on us to service your equipment quickly, safely, accurately and at the high level of quality people have come to expect from TEAM. With comprehensive service offerings and more than 100 U.S. and international locations, we’ll be there when and where you need us.

Team experts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

+ Mechanical Integrity

Call TEAM today: +011-597-485-594

+ NDE/NDT Inspection

www.teamindustrialservices.com

+ Specialty Welding + Turnkey Tank Program + Valve Insertion + Valve Repair

INDUSTRIES SERVED:

Minimizing Downtime. Maximizing Performance.

HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS Managing Editor Alice Instone-Brewer editor@littlegatepublishing.com Managing Director Alex Hilling-Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Manager Emlyn Freeman emlynfreeman@littlegatepublishing.com Head of Editorial Research Paul Bradley paulbradley@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher James Lapping james@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher Alex Hayes alexhayes@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher Dennis Morales dennismorales@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher David Kimberley david@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com CEO Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com For enquiries or subscriptions contact info@littlegatepublishing.com +44 1603 296 100 ENDEAVOUR MAGAZINE is published

by Littlegate Publishing LTD which is a Registered Company in the United Kingdom.

Company Registration: 07657236 VAT registration number: 116 776007 343 City Road Suite 10, Thorpe House London 79 Thorpe Road EC1 V1LR Norwich, NR1 1UA Littlegate Publishing Ltd does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points of view expressed in articles by attributing writers and/or in advertisements included in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher.

EDITOR’S NOTE

T

he Americas are one of the three central pillars of the global economy along with Europe and South-East Asia. And as the home to the US and Canada, arguably, it is the most influential of them all.

In spite of the rise of China, the US remains by some margin the richest and most influential country in the world. It is a world leader in innovation and business savvy, it is brash, and it is a part of the world with a winner takes all mindset – undoubtedly, America is, and will continue to be an economic centre of gravity for some time yet. Canada, with barely a fraction of the population of the US, lacks the outright financial might of its southern neighbour, but as a G7 member and highly advanced global economy in per capita terms is no slouch. With rising competition both in the East and West, these are uncertain but exciting times for these two fascinating, but quite different countries.

Alice Instone-Brewer

Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2019

Endeavour Magazine | 3

CONTENTS

FEATURES

7

Transforming São Paulo GRU Airport

13

Tomorrow’s Resources Appia Energy

18

Solar-Coaster Ride UGE International

28

The Lithium Lifeline Piedmont Lithium Limited

34

A Harte Of Gold Harte Gold

40

Traveling Upstream Staatsolie Maatschaappij Suriname NV

48

The Golden Lining Auryn Resources

56

Certain Victory!

Hissho Sushi

64

Lasting Treasure Teranga Gold Corporation

72

Driven By Success Cayman Automotive

78

A Gem Of An Idea Korite Ammolite

A New Lifeline 84 TTC: Toronto Transit Commission

GRU Airport 4 | Endeavour Magazine

90

Putting The Customer First Rise Baking Company

98

Integrity. Originality. Service.

IOS Services Geoscientifiques Inc

Appia Energy

Staatsolie Maatschaappij

Piedmont Lithium Limited Endeavour Magazine | 5

6 | Endeavour Magazine

TRANSFORMING SÃO PAULO GRU Airport chevron-square-right www.gru.com.br phone-square 0055 11 2445 2945

First opened in 1985, São Paulo/Guarulhos– Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport (also known as GRU Airport or GRU) is Brazil’s leading international airport.

We spoke with Gustavo Figueiredo, CEO of GRU to catch up on the multitude of expansive changes that have occurred for the airport in the past few years, and where it is looking for the future.

Written by Alice Instone-Brewer

R

ecent news for GRU reads like a list of successes. Firstly, 2018 was an impressive year for one of GRU’s terminals, the São Paulo International Airport Cargo Terminal (TECA), which strengthened its position as the country’s main airport logistics park by reaching 42% of the market share.

This huge figure represents 305,904 tonnes of goods processed that year, a clear 8% increase from 2017. Breaking the figure down, 161,366 tonnes of imported goods and 144,538 tonnes exported goods passed through the terminal.

2019 is already well on its way to keeping pace or even excelling this record again, with 68,533 tonnes of transported goods already processed after only the first quarter.

In part, 2018’s cargo volume figures were due to a dramatic 35% increase in full-cargo flights amongst the flights processed by the terminal.

This large change was largely due to the launching of new freighter routes to Brazil from Europe, the United States and Asia operated by Qatar, LATAM Cargo, Avianca Cargo, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Cargo. These launches gave importers and exporters more options for shipments that require freighter capabilities.

Endeavour Magazine | 7

GRU AIRPORT

However, as is the way with any truly successful business, there are multiple factors that interplay with each other to put this terminal so far ahead in the market. At a size of around 100,000, with close proximity to São Paulo’s main highways, as well as the main cities of the state, GRU Airport is situated in the right spot, at the right scale, to be the main airport to 46% Brazilian importers and exporters.

The connectively that TECA has developed is as beneficial as its location: as well as all of the large cities of Brazil, TECA also connects 31 countries. On average, the terminal processes 750 flights a day, to 100 airports. These flights represent the activity of the 40 national and international airlines that pass over TECA’s runways. These numbers don’t just put GRU Airport at the forefront within Brazil – they set it apart as the largest hub, with the greatest capacity for cargo on international flights, throughout all of South America.

8 | Endeavour Magazine

To maximise on its good position within the market, São Paulo International Airport has invested in a number of improvements to its infrastructure and operations, including investments into increased automation, for example, in January 2018, the terminal digitilased its process for receiving documents of release for its imported cargo, which reduced the average time to release cargo by 20% (from 84 hours to 64). The terminal also invested in a vast 76% increase in its storage capacity, as well as improving its storage technology.

Now, the terminal has the largest refrigerated storage capacity of any Brazilian airport. The area has 37,000 cubic metres of storage for pharmaceuticals and perishable commodities, with 3,120 spaces for these products, and 21 separate cold rooms that can be adjusted to the correct temperature for storing any kind of cargo. The area also holds 360 spaces for refrigerated shipping containers.

In addition to this fantastic facility, later this year, GRU is also expecting the delivery of an antechamber that will be used to pre-cool the cargo. This 800 m² antechamber will have 360 pallet-loading spaces with a room temperature between 16-22°C. Finally, in yet another upgrade to its storage facilities, the airport is also set to take delivery of a new 5,000 m² warehouse dedicated to hazardous export goods. After the receipt of all of these facilities and capabilities, GRU Airport aims to earn the ATA CEIV PHARMA certification by the end of the year.

As well as these developments, Gustavo told us that 2019 brought good news to civil aviation groups throughout Brazil when the São Paulo government announced a reduction of the Tax on Circulation of Goods that is charged on aviation kerosene. The rate dropped from 25% to 12%, which brought the state in line with the rest of Brazil. This was particularly good news for São Paulo-based GRU Airport. When fuel accounts for over 40% of an airline’s total spend, this reduction is highly significant news for the 40 airlines that move through GRU Airport.

São Paulo is Brazil’s most popular tourist destination, as the most urbanised and built-up city. It currently receives 30% of Brazil’s tourism,

www.dnata.com

GRU AIRPORT

and Brazil as a whole is itself a popular holiday location. Given this, and the airport’s status as the largest airline hub in South America, it is fair to assume that many airlines shall respond to this reduction in fuel charges to seize the chance to visit this airport more frequently.

However,this fruitful reduction came as a cost; in return for making this cut, the government of São Paulo asked airlines to create a fund to support the promotion of tourism in the area, to the value of R$ 40 million. They were also asked to provide the availability of 490 new flights to 21 states beyond São Paulo, which they predict should be beneficial for both the state and wider Brazil as commuting and travel increase in all directions. The State Department of Tourism also plans to make the most of this opportunity through the introduction of a ‘stopover program’ which allows passengers with a stopover in São Paulo to choose to stay up to three days in any city of the State without

10 | Endeavour Magazine

any additional costs. This incentive aims to help boost tourism and spending around the region.

According to the Brazilian Association of Airline Companies, the tax reduction is expected to contribute to the creation of almost 60,000 jobs in the sector, with a positive impact of over R$ 316 million in 2019 alone. The State Government of São Paulo, in turn, expects the measure to represent an increase of R$ 6.9 billion in the São Paulo economy over the next 18 months.

“In short,” Gustavo concluded, “it is possible to expect cheaper flights, punctuality improvement, better comfort to passengers, promotions and the expansion of the airline network, thus reviving a sector which is fundamental to the economy and to the integration of a continental country like Brazil.”

TRANSFORMING SÃO PAULO

Endeavour Magazine | 11

12 | Endeavour Magazine

TOMORROW’S RESOURCES Appia Energy chevron-square-right www.appiaenergy.ca phone-square 001 416 546707

Appia Energy Corp is a mining exploration company with two passions; exploration itself, and our technological future. We spoke with James Sykes, Vice President of Exploration and Development, about this passion, and the ways that Appia is setting itself apart from the competition in Saskatchewan.

Written by Alice Instone-Brewer

A

ppia Energy Corp is a Canadian mineral exploration company searching for high-grade critical rare earth elements (REEs and uranium in the Athabasca Basin area of northern Saskatchewan, as well as developing the Elliot Lake mining camp in Ontario.

The Elliot Lake mining camp is famous as being a historic global source of U3O8, or Triuranium octoxide. This uranium compound is one of the preferred forms of yellowcake, as it is easy to transport to refineries. Over 300 M lbs of U3O8 have been mined from Elliot Lake in the past, and Appia believes that much more still remains to be unearthed.

Meanwhile, the Athabasca Basin is famous for hosting the highest uranium grade mines in the world. Global uranium deposit grades average at ~0.1 wt% U3O8, but here, the averages exceed this. For example, both the McArthur River and Cigar Lake mines in this area (operated by Cameco) have average grades exceeding 20 wt% U3O8, making them host to the ‘richest’ ores in the world. Meanwhile, their Alces Lake property in the Athabasca Basin is showing very promising, world-class grades of REEs, making this location Appia’s Endeavour Magazine | 13

APPIA ENERGY

current flagship and most exciting piece in the company’s portfolio.

We asked James Sykes about Appia’s vision as a company, why it focuses on uranium and REEs, and what it hopes to achieve from these two locations:“We are hoping to delineate a sizeable resource (REE and/or uranium) that could be brought to the market. I like the philosophy of Appia, and why we work with REEs and uranium: both will continue to be needed as we progress into an energy-intensive and increasingly expanding technological society.”

“Rare earths are all about technology,” James continued. “They’ve been major players in technological evolution - that has pretty much been their application since day one. For example, Europium was used in the development of coloured TVs.” Europium phosphor was used to produce a brilliant red; prior to its use, the red on coloured TVs was weak, and so other colours had to be muted

14 | Endeavour Magazine

to work alongside it. With the use of Europium, every colour could be clearer and more brilliant.

“TVs don’t use Europium anymore, but rare earths all have their place in the emergence of new technology.”

There are 15 – 17 elements under the REEs umbrella, meaning that even within this resource, the demand for different elements changes and cycles. Today’s market is driven by Nd, Pr, Dy and Er, but this is subject to constant change. However, one part of this resource group that is always in demand is the rare earth magnet. “These magnets are the smallest out there and yield the most production and power,” James explained. These magnets are used in a variety of technologies, from electric vehicles, medical equipment and wind turbine motors to everyday items such as headphones and fridges, and even emerging technologies such as hover capabilities.

With an ever-growing reliance on technology, our planet also has an ever-rising need for power, and this is where Appia’s uranium operations come in: “I’m a firm believer in nuclear technology. It is superior price-wise, there’s no denying that, but if you just look at the environmental side, it is probably the safest form of energy resource out there. It has the smallest footprint - it’s basically zero carbon emitting - and is most efficient. I’m a big believer in renewables as well, but I don’t think they can sustain a base-load grid.”

Because Appia is dual focused, it monitors both the REE and uranium markets closely. In the case of REEs, this has been no simple tale: “Currently, China monopolizes the industry with over 80% of global REE mining and production, but more than 90% of the final end use fabrication of REE-applications.” This means that not only does China produce most of the world’s REEs, but it uses most of them, too. This led to the country deciding, in 2010 and 2011, to no longer export the resource.

“The price of REEs spiked tremendously. Due to the lack of supply, the REE industry was in dire need of immediate supply. This, in turn, led to companies seeking inferior alternatives to REE products.” Although the situation resolved itself a few years later, the damage was already

TOMORROW’S RESOURCES

done; as James explained, “REE end-users now see the real monopoly that China has on the industry, and are therefore looking for nonChinese supply chains, fearful that China could do the same thing again. The USA-China trade war also has companies on their toes.”

This is good news for non-Chinese REE exploration companies – especially ones who were operating at the time - as they offer a reassuring potential alternative. Appia is a relatively new player in both REEs and uranium, and its competition have the advantages that come from being longer established. Regarding REEs, investors were free with funds during the 2010-2011 crisis, and so these companies were able to benefit from that level of enthusiasm.

More recently, there has been little interest in REE investment, though Appia saw this attitude turn around a couple of years ago thanks to renewed interest in technology such as wind turbines and electric vehicles. “In those two years, we’ve witnessed investor sentiment

change in that they are very interested in our Alces Lake world-class high-grade REE project.”

It is this promising project that has Appia feeling confident: “We are the newest players to the game, with quite possibly the chance to have one of the world’s best REE deposit(s).

We know that the grades we are seeing at our Alces Lake project are world-class; we simply need to know how much is there.”

“Appia’s goal for the REE industry is to define an NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate for our Alces Lake REE project by the end of the year, and hopefully this will provide us with the beginning of a path to venture down for Canadian REE production.”

Turning to the uranium market, the resource’s price crashed and remained low ever since the Fukushima disaster, which also occurred in 2011. “It got to a price level so low that the world’s largest uranium mine supplies curtailed their operations in order to help lift the price, to make it affordable for the mines to continue

Endeavour Magazine | 15

APPIA ENERGY

operating. The price for converted uranium is also at a decade low. This whole scenario has set the industry for an uplift in all prices.”

Despite these challenges, and despite alternative energy sources both from fossil fuels and the increasingly popular renewable energies, James still believes in nuclear: “I think the next ten years will tell, but I can’t see nuclear power going anywhere - I see it continuing to grow. Even if it stays at a steady pace, at the same contribution, energy is growing in general. Given that, all things being equal, nuclear energy will grow as well.”

On both the REE and uranium front, one of the keys Appia feels it has to its advantage is simplicity: “The REE industry is complicated, and unlike many of our peers, we have simple mineralogy/metallurgy at Alces that uncomplicates a lot of potential mining and processing issues.” In part, this is because the REEs in this location appear to be hosted near the surface, which would greatly reduce

16 | Endeavour Magazine

the time, complexity and expense of mining.

James explained that many of the existing REE deposits that have been found, but are yet to go into production, face delays because the deposits sit within carbonite – a granite-like rock mixed with carbon minerals such as calcite, which means the REEs could be within up to three to four different minerals. This greatly complicates the separation process and makes it a more costly undertaking – amongst other things, it uses a great deal of water. Appia’s findings appear to not only be near the surface, but are of a tighter and purer concentration: “We’re getting outcrops of 16% monazite. It’s in these tightly controlled bodies that you can easily dissociate from the rocks hosting these systems, so the dilution factor is minimal. These are also coarse grains, so it’s the same minerality and density throughout, again making the work easier.”

Searching near the surface is a route to success that the company is also applying to

TOMORROW’S RESOURCES

its uranium exploration: “Globally, there are numerous uranium deposits that are waiting for the price of uranium to climb higher before they make an attempt to go into production.

We have one in Elliot Lake but need the price of uranium (and/or REEs) to climb significantly higher before we move that project forward.

For the interim, we are focussed on making a uranium discovery in the Athabasca Basin area, outside of the Basin itself (which really negates the mining engineering issues of the area), and looking for something that is close to surface.”

“Unlike our peers, who are all exploring in the sandstone rocks, and at least 200m below surface, we are exploring for near surface openpit mining deposits. The Athabasca sandstone is a geological engineering nightmare, and underground mining requires huge costs to develop freeze curtains. The most profitable mines in the area have been earlier open pit models.” Discovering deposits that would be more costly and complicated to put into operation would risk greatly slowly down Appia’s ambitions, as they aim to not only sell on their discovery, but to see it go into operation themselves, and with an underground find, this could take some time: “A number of uranium deposits were discovered in the 1970s that have not gone into production because they are deep within the sandstone. Case in point, Cigar Lake, which was discovered in 1975, didn’t go into operation 2016.” Appia’s peers are searching deeper because it is commonly believed that there are no more rich deposits left in easy-to-reach locations, but James isn’t convinced, and is willing to take the gamble.

James has been with Appia since 2016, and has held the position of Vice President, Exploration and Development since March 2017. Between them, the small leadership team has over 100 years of exploration and development experience in the industry to their name, and personally, James has over 550 M lbs Athabasca U3O8 discovery to his.

As well as their portfolio and their surfacefocused approach, James feels that what sets Appia apart is the company’s team, as well as their partnerships. Within the team, he

credits much of their success to the strong working relationship between himself and the CEO, Founder and President, Tom Drivas: “What has worked extremely well at Appia is the dichotomy between myself and Tom. Tom is an amazing entrepreneur and has an outstanding knowledge of business and financial effectiveness, whereas I represent the technical side of things, focussing on the best target areas within a very broad area and driving us forwards.”

“We also have some key investors that have been with the company for a long time, and even some of the new investors remain very bullish on Appia and are committed to following us on our journey. We feel that we have very strong and direct relationships with our investors, old and new.”

Between this teamwork and the promising areas that Appia is exploring, it seems likely that James and his team’s passion will pay off. The company is currently waiting on results from its latest drill sites; once the summer is over, it will have a better idea of exactly what lays within its project locations, but until then, it is confident in the grades and patterns that have been seen. All geological clues point towards success, and in this game, clues and strategy are what it really comes down to. “If you like doing puzzles, that’s what it’s all about. It’s all just a puzzle.”

Endeavour Magazine | 17

UGE INTERNATIONAL WWW.UGEI.COM // 001 917 720 5685

SOLARCOASTER RIDE The last ten years have been, in the words of UGE International CEO Nick Blitterswyk, a “solarcoaster” for the renewable energy industry. We spoke with Nick about the current turning-point for commercial solar and his predictions for the future of the energy industry.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

UGE INTERNATIONAL

The past decade has seen solar go from an exciting

concept that relied heavily on government subsidies and incentives to be feasible, to something that now makes economic sense all on its own. This shift marks an exciting turning point that could have massive implications for the future of energy. We spoke with Nick Blitterswyk, CEO of UGE International, about his company and how this shift is already affecting the way they do business.

U

GE International was founded by Nick in 2008. They are

to reduce the financial sting of installation, but as technology has

a commercial solar company, working on projects larger

developed, this cost has been reduced to the point where incentives

than residential installations, but smaller than utility-scale

are low and, in some countries, aren’t required at all in order to

operations (solar farms that feed energy directly into the grid).

make solar economically appealing. “The first time we bought solar

Instead, their niche lies in providing a cheaper energy alternative to

panels, the cost was about $3.50 per watt. We’re paying about 10%

businesses. Nick explained: “We go to our clients and say, ‘For 100-

of that cost now.” The past few years have been an unprecedented

plus years, companies have been buying energy from the grid, but

success for UGE, both in terms of revenue and project reach: Nick

now, with the way solar costs have come down, there’s a cheaper

credits this both to the shift in solar’s affordability, which should be

way to get your energy. Let us put solar on your rooftop, and

a tipping point for the industry to explode into the future, but he

we’ll sell you the energy that it produces. You won’t pay anything

also credits UGE itself. The company’s expertise from ten years in

upfront - you’ll just buy cheaper energy over time.’” The proposition

the industry has allowed it to be in a position to best take advantage

is a win-win, allowing UGE to expand the reach of clean energy

of this new wave for solar: “We’ve pulled pieces together to make

whilst saving companies vast amounts of money. On top of this,

ourselves a real leader in this sector.”

UGE delivers a complete, turnkey solution to its clients, working

As an example of the scale UGE operates at, and the ways in

to problem-solve all logistics behind the conversation and making

which it is able to apply its experience to go above and beyond

it so all their client needs to do is sit back and pay less money for

for a client, we spoke to Nick about three key projects - one for

cleaner energy.

each of the three countries they operate in (the USA, Canada and t

“We’re very experienced, we have a great name in the industry.

he Philippines):

We’re coming up on 400 megawatts of experience; that is a

“In the US, we won a portfolio of 17 New York sites that was

commonly used energy term, but in essence, that’s a lot of solar.

actually funded after Hurricane Sandy hit. It is a solar plus battery

That’s close to 700 projects completed.” With solar becoming

storage project helping a number of small businesses throughout

increasingly cost-effective, the industry is expanding rapidly, and

the greater New York city region. We have designed it so that when

there’s no shortage of work: UGE is currently involved in a further

a hurricane hits New York again, these businesses will have the

45 projects, with hundreds more already in their pipeline.

necessary resiliency to operate even after a storm hits. We’ll start

Solar power used to rely heavily on government support in

constructing those projects this year, and it’s one we’re very excited

order to be a viable option for its clients: incentives were offered

about. Battery storage is perhaps five years behind solar, but it’s

20 | Endeavour Magazine

Hoymiles is a world-leading microinverter company specializing in MLPE (Module-Level Power Electronics) solutions for global solar investors & end users.

The largest microinverter supplier in the Chinese market, and one of the world’s fastest growing inverter brands, Hoymiles provides a safer and smarter module-level MPPT and monitoring microinverter in over 50 countries, including the U.S., Europe, Australia, Latin America, India, Japan, Korea, South East Asia, the Middle East and South Africa.

Their market-leading products are: Safer – 100% safe up to 60V DC input voltage Smarter – more intelligent monitoring for remote module-level troubleshooting & maintenance More powerful – a module-level MPPT & unique parallel design ensures 10-30% higher yield than series-wound PV systems More reliable – 6000V surge protection; mean time between failure > 550 years; yearly failure rate < 0.18% You can’t argue with those statistics!

Hoymiles was founded in 2008 by three doctors from Zhejiang University. At the time, all three were working on an R&D team for China’s National Power Electronics Laboratory, based at the university – one of the top three universities in the country.

In 2015, Hoymiles’ microinverter achieved the world’s highest CEC peak efficiency, 96.7%, which ranked it as the most efficient microinverter in the world.

Today, Hoymiles microinverters are used in 10,000+ commercial and residential rooftop installations every year! These include single panel units (MI250/300), 2 in 1 units (MI-500/600/700) and 4 in 1 units (MI-1000/1200), which certificated by CEC for weighted efficiency, and ranked it as the World’s No.1 for 4 in 1 microinverter, all offering top of the range efficiency.

Localization is the key to the company’s ongoing success - the combination of local warehouses, service centers and local training of their 500+ staff keeps Hoymiles in close contact with its customers 24/7, 365 days a year. That’s guaranteed customer service!

Working with UGE Hoymiles is working with UGE on a solar project in New York, in response to damage from Hurricane Sandy. The project has been government funded and is an extremely important project for the businesses it seeks to protect against future hurricanes. We’re proud to be working with UGE on such a significant project for the city and its residents.

MI-1500/1200 (for 4 solar panels)

Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No.1 CEC weighted efficiency for 4 in 1 microinverter - 96.5%

Hoymiles MLPE

(Module-Level Power Electronics)

Safer 100% safe with up to 60V DC input voltage (natural rapid shutdown); IP67

Smarter

More Powerful

Smarter monitoring for remote Module-level MPPT & unique parallel Module-level troubleshooting design ensuring 10-30% higher yield & maintenance than series-wound PV system

More Reliable 6000V surge protection, MTBF (mean time between failure) > 550 years, yearly failure rate < 0.18%

UGE INTERNATIONAL starting to make economic sense now as well, and is something

built for itself, and the level of input and guidance it can offer its

that’s going to be increasingly common.”

clients. Meanwhile, their work in New York shows that this same

“In the Philippines, we’re working with the nation’s largest

expertise can be applied to engineering solutions to problem-solve

bottled water company. There, we completed an initial project

businesses’ needs even in the face of natural disasters. Finally,

for them the year before last, where we put solar on one of their

in the Philippines, the project shows the sheer scale of impact

large bottling facilities. They saved so much money that they

that is possible when UGE gets involved with a company: “That’s

wanted to do three more; we’re just wrapping those up now, and

something we’re excited about too – seeing how within a country,

we’re deep into conversations about how we can expand and be

we can provide such a critical advantage to a large company like

their primary source of energy throughout their entire footprint.

that by providing cheaper, cleaner energy.”

Meanwhile, in Canada, right now we’re wrapping up a project with

Before UGE, Nick worked as an actuary, but he felt passionately

a utility company in Ontario where we used all of our experience

about sustainability and the environment. In part, that passion

homed in that province to be their project development partner.

can be credited to his childhood: “My parents were caretakers of

We’re finishing the construction of 15 sites for them, and we’re

a provincial park in western Canada, so I really grew up around

about 80% done – we should be wrapping it up in the next couple

nature, and that was something engrained in me.” Around the

of months.”

time that Nick founded UGE, there was a buzz around the idea

Each of these projects highlights a different exciting element in

of renewable energy, and he found himself swept up in the

UGE’s operations and what they offer: the Canadian project is one

enthusiasm. A budding industry is ripe with opportunity; however,

example of many where, as Nick explained, “the utility companies

founding a new company in a new line of business is also filled

are relying on us to come and show them how it’s done in the

with complications: “There was a lot of hype going on around the

distributed energy side of things, and to be their partner in this

renewable energy industry, but it was very early days. Everybody

fast-growing industry.” That, in itself, speaks for the name UGE has

was figuring it out, so challenges were all over the map. We were

24 | Endeavour Magazine

re-inventing the wheel in many cases, compared with what was already known in other industries; in everything from marketing and lead generation to engineering and construction, import and export, logistics, financing and so on. You were constantly on the frontier.”

Whilst it was finding its feet, UGE didn’t focus solely on solar; for the first half of its life, the company also worked in distributed wind, and for a time was the world’s leading vertical access wind turbine company. However, solar began to emerge as the clear horse to back, and so the company’s efforts in wind technology were sold and Nick and his team homed in on perfecting their operations in preparation for the coming boom.

Although Nick is confident in solar’s future, its current positioning is still small in comparison to the fossil fuel energy market. In the US commercial space, for example, market penetration for distributed solar is still below 1% of what is currently considered the addressable market. However, solar has also grown far quicker than anyone predicted ten or even five years ago, and whilst Nick is aware of its relatively small size now, his faith in the future is vast: “Solar is going to be the most important source of energy for mankind throughout this entire century and probably beyond. As of

RB MILESTONE GROUP, LLC (“RBMG”​) is a US-based consulting

firm with offices in Stamford, Connecticut and New York City. RBMG specializes in assisting small and venture-stage companies with enhancing: corporate strategy, business development, market intelligence and research. These services can be designed to help companies communicate their corporate characteristics to applicable investment and media communities. RBMG partners with clients internationally and across a wide range of industry segments, including: energy, cleantech, mining, oil & gas, cannabis, agriculture, healthcare, technology, media, telecommunications, professional services and consumer goods. Staff specialists have diverse sector knowledge centered on capital markets.

For more information, please visit RBMG’s website (www.rbmilestone.com) or contact RBMG’s Managing Director, Trevor Brucato, tbrucato@rbmilestone.com.

Endeavour Magazine | 25

UGE INTERNATIONAL this moment, you would say that fossil fuels are the most important

out sets in. At the end of the day, it comes down to the underlying

source of energy, but that is quickly changing, and over the next

economics – if the underlying economics favour solar, people will

ten years will have completely changed. There’re some interesting

follow their wallets to that.”

other technologies out there, but I’m confident in saying that they

As for the more immediate future, UGE plans to focus

won’t be able to compete with solar in terms of the ubiquitous

primarily on its existing markets, reaching out beyond its current

nature of its future. In five to ten years, distributed solar is going to

footprint within its countries of operation to make the most of

be a massive industry – never mind a billion-dollar market, it’s going

the opportunities still waiting for them. That said, they have

to be a hundreds of billions of dollars market. That’s the wave that

begun to look further afield from the security of these countries:

we’re thankfully riding right now.”

the company’s internal engineering team has begun to take

There are many existing hurdles still ahead of UGE and solar

on mandates for local companies that are developing overseas

as a whole, the greatest of which is the sheer scale of the current

projects. For example, they are currently the engineering partner

status quo. From existing infrastructure to retirement investments,

for a Canada and UK based company to use in Africa, allowing them

the world has invested trillions in fossil fuel energy, and this is not

to study the African market from a secure position. By the end of

easily overcome. That said, UGE recently launched their first Green

2020, the company aims to apply this learning by putting its feet

Bond, allowing people to put their retirement investment towards

on the ground in at least one new market. Moving forwards from

renewable energy instead – a scheme that has been giving its

there, it is simply a question of growing, watching and waiting and

investors good returns, and that UGE plans to grow in the coming

the industry continues to take off:

year. Change does not happen suddenly, but as the economics

“In the 200+ countries around the world, solar either makes

continue to get stronger, Nick believes that it will happen, and that

economic sense now, or will in the coming five years or so. The

it is already starting to take off: “Bit by bit, we’re seeing it – some

world really is our oyster in terms of the opportunities that are

companies get it before others, but eventually the fear of missing

out there.”

26 | Endeavour Magazine

PIEDMONT LITHIUM LIMITED WWW.PIEDMONTLITHIUM.COM // 61 8 9322 6322

THE LITHIUM LIFELINE If you’re not au fait with lithium and why it’s such a valuable resource, read on and discover exactly why Piedmont Lithium is so vital to the continued development of new and exciting future technologies.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

PIEDMONT LITHIUM LIMITED

Piedmont Lithium (Piedmont), located in North Carolina, is

taking a different approach to mining and exploration projects. Having identified a clear need for lithium supplies to be significantly increased, Piedmont has a defined goal in mind of “becoming a strategic domestic supplier of lithium to the increasing electric vehicle and battery storage markets in the US.”

I

t’s no secret that the electric vehicle market is increasing at an

“With continued land expansion, sampling and drilling programs

incredible rate, thanks to a number of initiatives being brought

scheduled during 2018, our aim is to fast track the Piedmont

in to encourage drivers to make the switch to greener energy.

Lithium Project towards production as a fully-integrated domestic

With this in mind, of course more lithium is going to be needed, but

source of lithium and capitalise on the widely anticipated shortfall

sourcing it from ethical companies and minimising its footprint has

of lithium in global markets over the next decade.”

to be a priority, which is where Piedmont comes in.

While many companies look at finalising a five-year plan,

The Piedmont Lithium Project is concentrated on North

Piedmont is defying the odds and thinking a full decade in advance.

Carolina, which happens to be “one of the premier regions in the

By maintaining such a steely gaze on the industry and more

world for lithium exploration, given its favorable geology and ideal

specifically, the material in question and the depleting nature of it,

location with easy access to infrastructure, power, R&D centres

the team is setting a precedent for always staying one step ahead

for lithium and battery storage and major high-tech population

of the competition.

centres.”

There’s little cause for wondering where the exceptional levels

The high yields enjoyed by North Carolina have been well

of inspired leadership and market awareness spring from, as the

documented, with two large-scale mining operations being started

individuals that comprise the management team are known,

in the region from the 1950s to 1990s. In addition to these, two

respected and lauded for their previous successes within the

enormous processing plants were also brought into being, both of

mining industry:

which not only still exist but are also still supplying premium lithium

“Our leadership team’s successful mining ventures include a

products to consumers throughout America. It’s not merely a happy

multi-decade track record of creating wealth for shareholders in

accident that Piedmont can be found within 20km of these tried

mining ventures, experience in building top-tier management

and tested facilities; it’s calculated and considered management

teams in the US and the proven ability to fund exploration and

that can recognise a golden opportunity to lower production costs.

development stage opportunities.”

Building on an already successful business model might sound

Drawing on a range of industry experiences, from Wall Street

simple, but steady and well thought out expansion is the key to

strategic financing to banking, mining, geology, engineering and

sustained growth, as is integration. Piedmont knows this and has

law, the senior management team is made up of a unique blend of

set the wheels in motion accordingly:

talents that come together to create an unbeatable corporate force

30 | Endeavour Magazine

NOW IN THE AMERICAS SPECIALISING IN DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF GLOBAL RESOURCE PROJECTS. PRIMEROâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WORLD CLASS CREDENTIALS IN PROCESS ENGINEERING ARE NOW SERVICED FROM OUR NORTH AMERICAN LOCATION. WWW.PRIMERO.CA 514-312-0264

Endeavour Magazine | 31

PIEDMONT LITHIUM LIMITED that is spearheading the Piedmont Lithium Project. They have also

Keith D. Phillips, President and CEO of Piedmont went on

launched a comprehensive press strategy to keep relevant people

to reveal that, “The Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt has been

in the loop as to new developments and the profitability of the

described as one of the world’s largest lithium districts. Piedmont

project.

has established a dominant position in the TSB and we hope to

The latest press release to come from Piedmont has revealed

consolidate large contiguous land blocks to build a large, world-

that the company has made inroads into continuing to consolidate

class integrated lithium business.

its mineral holdings within North Carolina:

substantial cost advantages of operating in North Carolina and

“Piedmont Lithium Limited (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to advise that the Company has increased its land position by 441

We have demonstrated the

one of our 2019 objectives is to make clear the sheer scale of the business we intend to build.”

acres to 1,824 acres in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”)

The scale of the company is set to be incredibly impressive,

located west of Charlotte in North Carolina. These additions were

thanks to a wealth of exclusive option agreements and land

achieved via a combination of option agreements and deferred

purchase deals that are in place to allow for immediate purchase

purchase contracts, making effective use of the Company’s funds

completions, should the right moment to expand arise. Totaling

to maximise exploration opportunities.”

a large amount of acreage, few other operations have access to

What this means is that Piedmont is able to boast of the

instantaneous expansion, but that’s the genius of Piedmont. Never

strongest lithium mineral position in the entire region. That’s

a company to look back, it is always firmly facing forwards and

no small brag, considering that the project has only been in

attempting to preempt not only market conditions but also material

operation since 2016, but thanks to the careful strategising of the

demand.

management team, a dream has come into being “the Company has

Looking ahead to the rest of 2019, plenty of excitement is on

made steady progress towards establishing a large contiguous land

the cards: “Piedmont will complete the Phase 4 drill programme

package within the historic Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt.”

and seek to extend Project life through an increase in the Project’s

32 | Endeavour Magazine

Mineral Resource, plus further metallurgical studies, including evaluating the potential for a Dense Medium Separation (“DMS”) before the flotation circuit, to further enhance operating costs in the concentrator. Permit applications will be completed and we will secure the necessary permits and approvals to commence mining and processing operations at the Project and continue expansion of the Company’s land position in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt with a focus on areas of high mineral prospectivity.”

In short, more of the same that has seen Piedmont rise to such a prominent industry position in just two years. It will be interesting to see what the team can accomplish in the next two years, but one thing is certain; as long as there’s a demand for lithium, Piedmont will be ready to step up as a reliable supplier.

MARSHALL MILLER & ASSOCIATES, INC. (MM&A),

an international consulting firm headquartered in Bluefield, Virginia, U.S.A, has provided geological and mining engineering services worldwide for 44 years. MM&A’s involvement in the Piedmont Lithium Project includes overall guidance based on local experience, mine planning and design, waste dump design, waste rock and tailings geochemical assessment, geotechnical assessment, geophysical logging, and mine permitting.

www.mma1.com | info@mma1.com | +1 276.322.5467 | Bluefield, VA

Endeavour Magazine | 33

HARTE GOLD WWW.HARTEGOLD.COM // 001 416 368 0999

A HARTE OF GOLD Making a huge name for itself in Ontario, Harte Gold Corp is on a mission to prove that all that glitters can be gold, if you apply solid business principles and an entrepreneurial spirit to everyday activities.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

HARTE GOLD

Harte Gold Corp (Harte Gold) is a bright new star in the

Ontario business sky, joining the ranks of existing gold producers, while bringing something new to the table.

Utilising its wholly owned Sugar Zone Mine, found in the White River region, Harte Gold is engaged in an extensive programme of exploration, production and expansion, all under the watchful eyes of an incredibly experienced management team.

I

t goes without saying that the gold excavation industry is both competitive and specialist, which is why the individuals in the management team at Harte Gold bring decades of experience

to this exciting new venture and that’s individually, not collectively.

When you understand that the majority of the team brings at least 20 years of high-level expertise to the table, you know this is no amateur operation, but Stephen G. Roman, Chairman, President and CEO takes things to a whole new level: “Mr. Roman is an entrepreneur/financier who has been involved in the resource industry over the past 40 years and has successfully identified, financed, developed, and brought into commercial production many mining and oil and gas projects. He is also a member of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and a former director of the Advisory Board of the College of Management and Economics at the University of Guelph.

Most recently, Mr. Roman was awarded the honour of “Prospector of the Year” for 2016 and has received the ‘Bill Dennis Award’ from the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) in March, 2016.”

Who better to lead Ontario’s newest and most promising gold exploration operation? With ethics and experience in equal measure, running throughout the company from the very top

36 | Endeavour Magazine

through to ground operations, it’s little wonder that the Sugar Zone

from 2021, thanks to a staggered expansion plan and extensive site

Project is already demonstrating impressive promise.

investigation that has led to a developed course of action.

The Sugar Zone Property is more than just an area of land with

Having taken a bulk sample from site in 2017, longitudinal

an adorable name; it’s a site that is 100% owned by Harte Gold and

longhole retreat stoping was decided upon as the best mining

showing signs of incredible promise. Found a short distance north

method for the geometry and composition of the area. From here,

of the White River, the plot is 83,850 hectares in size and covers a

a three-phase mining production schedule could be drawn up:

greenstone belt, but commercial production is yet to be optimised.

This is going to be the next focus for the management team: “Harte Gold is currently in the final stages of advancing the Sugar

“In 2018-2019, initial operations are permitted to operate at 540 tpd, with low risk ramp up to commercial production. Use of mine contractors in early years will limit mining risk.”

Zone Project to commercial production. In 2017, Harte Gold has

With the Sugar Zone Project in full swing, Harte Gold is not

successfully mined approximately 100,000 tonnes of mineralised

simply sitting back and placing all its eggs in one basket. The

material to-date, through its Advanced Exploration Bulks Sample

truth is quite the opposite, as a new prospect is on the cards: the

and Phase I Commercial Production programmes. In early 2018, a

Stoughton-Abitibi Property.

PEA was completed for the project and a comprehensive US$70

Speaking about the potential new property, the Harte Gold

million funding package was arranged to complete construction. As

team revealed that, “The Stoughton-Abitibi Property is located on

of August 2018, construction of the crusher and mill complex was

and adjacent to the Destor-Porcupine Fault, 110 km east of the

completed and commissioning started.”

Timmins, 50 km north-east of Kirkland Lake, Ontario and 10 km

Given the impressive levels of funding that were released, it

due east of the Holloway-Holt gold mine and mill. The property

stands to reason that the PEA, or Preliminary Economic Assessment,

covers a 4 km strike length of the Destor-Porcupine Fault with an

demonstrated good promise, to the tune of commercial gold

overall length of more than 11 km along the upper portions of the

production being expected to reach 75,000 ounces per year, by

property, in close proximity to the 2.5 million oz. gold Holloway-

2020. This is predicted to rise exponentially, to 106,000 ounces

Holt gold mine.”

Congratulations to Harte Gold on the completion of the Sugar Zone project, from all of us at Scott Steel.

We are proud to have worked with you on this exciting development and wish you great success for the future.

+1 905 631 8708 www.scottsteel.ca

HARTE GOLD Building on the success of the Sugar Zone Project, the

affect our activities; be diligent in complying with these laws, rules

management team is fully committed to investigating the potential

and regulations; make sure that all employees are also aware of

of this new site and plenty of evaluations have already been carried

these laws, rules and regulations.”

out. Data is in the process of being analysed for serious potential

You’d be forgiven for assuming that mining operations are

and if the findings are positive, a phased exploration plan will be

fraught with complex security, safety and ethical concerns,

put into practice.

but don’t let a few bad apples ruin the entire barrel. A shining

Having taken the time to properly assess the potential yield

beacon for mining operations throughout the world, Harte Gold

and feasibility of the Sugar Zone Project, the future is looking

demonstrates that commercial profitability, ethical operating codes

exceptionally promising for Harte Gold. While the site might be

and an entrepreneurial spirit can all go hand in hand, even in an

Ontario’s newest producing mine, concentrating on a high-grade

industry as competitive as gold mining.

product that can be excavated in a cost-effective manner, there’s plenty of scope for more developments, such as the StoughtonAbitibi Property. Despite a significant number of positive developments being on the cards, one thing most definitely will not change at Harte Gold and that’s the ethics and code of conduct that underpins every endeavour: “Our policy is to meet or exceed all legal and regulatory requirements that apply when and where we carry out our business.

Many of our activities are subject to complex and changing laws, rules and regulations. It’s critical that we make every reasonable effort to become familiar with laws, rules and regulations that

Dedicated to creating safe work environments, TESC Contracting Company Ltd. is a multi-trade construction services provider, offering civil, structural, electrical, piping, millwrighting, boilermaker and scaffolding expertise. TESC was awarded the construction of the processing systems for Harte Gold Corporation’s Sugar Zone Mill Installation and is grateful to be a part of this exciting project. TESC successfully completed the structural, mechanical, platework, and electrical and instrumentation for equipment/components in the mill as well as the external installations of the crushing plant, belt feeders, conveyors and thickener. TESC administered all aspects of project management, including scheduling, quality, safety, environmental, resource and construction management.

38 | Endeavour Magazine

Congratulations Harte Gold Corp on the opening of the first high grade gold mine in Ontario, Canada in 10 years!

WE BUILD AND MAINTAIN

MINES | MILLS | SMELTERS tesc.com

STAATSOLIE MAATSCHAAPPIJ SURINAME NV WWW.STAATSOLIE.COM // 00597 49964

TRAVELING UPSTREAM Founded in 1980, Staatsolie is one year away from celebrating its 40th birthday. It is also approaching the final year of its 2016-2020 strategy for success, and is on the cusp of beginning an exciting phase of drilling and exploration through 2019. It seemed the perfect time to get back in touch with the oil company; we spoke with Rudolf Elias, company Managing Director and CEO, about this new strategy and what could lie on the horizon for Suriname.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

STAATSOLIE MAATSCHAAPPIJ SURINAME NV Staatsolie is the state-owned oil company of Suriname,

tasked with overseeing the entire sector for the country, involved in oil exploration, drilling, production, refining, marketing, sales, and transportation. They work closely with the big names of the global oil and gas sector, organising what is currently one of the two biggest earning industries for Suriname, the other being gold. They even have a finger in that pie, with a 25% partnership in a goldmine with Newmont. However, it is oil that is their purpose and focus, and in 2015, they went back to the drawing board of how best to utilise and pursue this resource for their country.

he main focus of Staatsolie’s new Strategy for Success is the

T

This nearshore exploration is about to take off, with nine valves

decision to pour the majority of their efforts into the upstream.

preparing for drilling, the first of which will begin in April. It will

Whilst some attention would be given to making their

take the company 300 days to drill all nine valves; we spoke with

downstream operations more efficient and cost effective, these

Rudolf, company MD and CEO, about the potential results from

efforts would no longer involve a noteworthy capital investment.

this exploration period: “If I look at the activities that will take place

This is partially due to the fact that over the past ten years, the

in the near shore, the shallow offshore and the deep offshore area

company has spent a great deal on investing in this side of their

in the coming one and half years, I have high hopes that we will

operations, including new refill stations and a new $1 billion oil

have our first commercial discovery. In the coming 300 days, it is

refinery, which expanded Staatsolie’s electricity capacity from 30

quite possible that we will have our first near or shallow offshore oil

MW to 90MW. During this time, the company received exceptional

find. Then, in the deep offshore, together with our partners in the

help and support from the Roodhart Group, who had a hands-on

coming two years, we will drill a further six-eight motional valves.”

role in assisting in the construction of this refinery.

Staatsolie has many contracts in place for partnerships in

From 2016, Staatsolie felt that it was time to refocus its efforts,

their nearshore and offshore explorations, including contracts

and future investments were focused on the upstream, whilst

with Seadrill and Halliburton for offshore services, and IOCs with

efforts are taken to utilise the resources already in place for the

Apache and Exxon. Out of their partners set to drill, Rudolf is most

downstream as efficiently as possible. This focus on upstream

excited about their planned work with Apache: “Apache might drill

activities falls into three categories: oil production, offshore joint

a few of ours valves back to back, depending of course on success.”

ventures, and of course, exploration.

One of these valves sits very close to Guyana’s latest oil find, which

Staatsolie is currently involved in exploration on three different

of course has the company feeling optimistic about its prospects.

fronts: near short, shallow offshore and deep offshore, with deep

“We have high expectations of this valve, and of course for the nine

offshore defined as anything beyond 70 meters of water depth.

of our own.”

These three categories are all tackles differently; deep offshore

In terms of production, Staatsolie apparently has over 1 billion

exploration is left in the hands of Staatsolie’s IOC partners, whilst

barrels of extractable oil in place, and they are currently only

in the nearshore and shallow offshore areas, they are conducting

extracting 18-20% of the current field. “Moving forwards, we are

their exploration themselves, with the intention of finding partners

actively looking at new techniques, both IOR and EOR, in order to

to help them tap the resources once such resources are discovered.

extract anything between 25-35%. We would like to expand the

42 | Endeavour Magazine

existing production of 6 million barrels on an annual basis for at least another 25 years.”

As Rudolf is fast to agree, Staatsolie’s current operations are “built on a strong foundation of people.” The company currently employ around 2000 people – a figure that is much higher if you

Solving

also include all of the contractor teams they currently employ.

As well as offering internal training for these members of staff, the company is also invested in helping their staff to gain a wider understanding of the industry, and the companies that Staatsolie is working with; therefore, management staff and other

ges!

Challen

40 years of professional experience in geosciences, engineering and environment services through Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean

individuals who would benefit from the knowledge are now offered programmes that place those employees with Staatsolie’s partners for a year. For example, they currently have staff places in Equinor and Petrofac, amongst others. The company also supports staff through MBA programmes and short periods to study abroad. This level of investment acknowledges that Staatsolie’s staff not only need a high level of skill, but an awareness of the wider industry

GEOSCIENCES

ENVIRONMENT

ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION

Cartagena - Colombia

Caracas - Venezuela

Mexico City - Mexico

around them, that Staatsolie works so closely with.

This valuing of their staff was amongst point highlighted in Staatsolie’s 2016-2020 Strategy for Success. The document outlined a goal to be “people focused”, with a focus on coaching

info@geohidra.com +58 212 693.78.77 www geohidra.com

WELLHEAD SYSTEMS FOR STAATSOLIE’S NEARSHORE WELLS DRILLING PROGRAM - 2019 Being the only API-6A Licensee in the Caribbean Region, we are pleased to be providing the Exploration Wellhead Systems for Staatsolie’s Nearshore Wells Drilling Program, 2019.

The three Systems have been designed specifically to meet the requirements of this program while allowing Staatsolie to re-use some of their existing inventory from their previous Nearshore Drilling Program in 2015.

The equipment has been purpose-built to provide maximum performance, while saving rig time, in three different Well Configurations of Casing Programs in two pressure ratings.

QA/QC Inspection on Raw Material Forgings

Raw Forging being converted into finished product on a Vertical Turret Lathe (VTL)

La Retriate Rd, Guapo, Trinidad W.I Phone: 1-(868)-648-0827/29 Fax: 1-(868)-648-6786 ialengineering.com Endeavour Magazine | 43

STAATSOLIE MAATSCHAAPPIJ SURINAME NV and mentoring to make their “pool of young people ready by

that the oil will not be processed and utilised in the most efficient

design”. The document also mentioned a Culture Change that

way, and there is also the risk that the spike in revenue could cause

seeks to “integrity, excellence, accountability and performance

short-sighted decisions. “In the past, there was gold fever, but

management” in the every-day operations of the company. The aim

black gold also creates a certain fever.” Staatsolie is a state-owned

for all of this, as the document outlined was “to have our entire

company, which allows Rudolf to have direct contact with the

workforce coming to work every day with a true sense of purpose

government, and he continues to agitate for these conversations

and leaving with a sense of accomplishment.”

to take place. “We are coming so close - next month, we are going

When asked what the biggest challenges facing Staatsolie were,

to drill our first hole, and Apache will drill in June. Even if the

Rudolf’s answer was surprising: “We have many challenges that we

conversation is last minute, that is ok, but the minute you have oil,

have to deal with, but the biggest challenge is to get the government

everything changes.”

ready for a big oil find. There is the possibility that we will not only

Rudolf is also looking even further to the future, to the longevity

have one oil find, but we might have several. If this happens, what

of the oil industry as a whole. On the one hand, he knows it cannot

do you do as a business? What do you do as a government? The

last forever, and like his wish to see Suriname prepared for new oil

best discussion that you can have is the discussion before you have

discoveries, he wants to see the country prepared for the future

an oil find, because the conversation you have after an oil find is

beyond that. However, he also isn’t in a hurry: “If you look at the

completely different. We’ve learned that from Guyana and we’ve

most negative outlook, from Equinor, even that predicts that oil

learned that from Ghana.”

will continue to grow until 2035. Exxon predicts it will grow until

Rudolf’s concern is, if these discussions do not take place before

2050/2055.” Staatsolie are a low-cost producer, and for those,

an oil find, that the proper plans to benefit from the industry and

Rudolf feels the future of oil extends even further, predicting that

revenue in a sustainable and intelligent way will not be in place and

for such companies, oil production will remain viable for as long as

ready to help Suriname maximise on the resource. These is the risk

the next 100 years.

SURINAME BASE FOR MEDSERV ENERGY PLC

A DEEP BELIEF IN SURINAME’S FUTURE A proven finder of large oil and gas resources, Kosmos Energy is excited to explore offshore Suriname, an area with potential for significant hydrocarbon discoveries. We look forward to playing a part in Suriname’s future success.

www.kosmosenergy.com

44 | Endeavour Magazine

Medserv is now operating an Oil and Gas Logistics support base from Suriname in the Caribbean. Through the Suriname base, Medserv is able to offer the entire portfolio of integrated logistics services from land, sea and medevac. Medserv brings 40+ years of industry experience to the table, well-established quality systems, expert personnel and reliability of delivery to a new and exciting offshore exploration region.

WWW.MEDSERVENERGY.COM

Oil / Gas

Oil / Gas LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS OCTG MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING SERVICES

Experienced Reliable Committed Partner

www.medservenergy.com

Medserv HQ, Malta T +356 2220 2000

STAATSOLIE MAATSCHAAPPIJ SURINAME NV However, despite not being in a hurry to diversify, Staatsolie

Whilst some might argue that these changes need to occur quickly

still feels that change will be required: “We try to agitate the people,

for the well-being of our planet, this careful pace is smart business,

because oil isn’t infinite. It’s finite. When it will end, we don’t know,

and should avoid the mistakes of some energy companies who

but we have to start looking at new ways to produce energy. One

have committed quickly to renewables and later dropped the

of them is of course solar – 30% of our own power is on a solar

commitment altogether.

panel small grid.” Surname’s government is not pushing urgently

Whether looking to renewable energy, the future of Suriname

towards renewables, but Staatsolie continue to agitate and spread

or simply the future of this year’s exploration projects, Staatsolie

awareness, and have even begun to look into their own options for

are putting their 39 years of experience to work in how carefully

pursuing renewable energy production:

they are preparing on many fronts. Resource processing is a long

“We are looking into a hydro project at the moment. It is not

game, and Staatsolie understands where to invest, when to invest,

100% sure that we will jump into it, but we are looking into it

and how to get ready for what changes to their situation will bring.

actively and we might add it to our portfolio. However, we are not

Between their partners and the government, they are keeping the

saying that as an oil company, you can begin in renewables just like

oil industry in Suriname mobile and organised, determined to learn

that. We would like to be fast followers, rather than the people who

from others’ mistakes and to see their country prosper from the

are leading the way. That is something we have learned from other

resources it possesses for years to come. With their 2016-2020

oil companies – oil people are not renewable people. They are two

plan on course to succeed, we look forward to seeing what the next

entirely different kinds of people that you work with, and it will take

stages will hold for Staatsolie once their discoveries are made.

time to change the behavior from oil people to renewable people.”

With different skills and a different industry atmosphere, Staatsolie do not want to jump too quickly into an entirely new way of working, but the gears are starting to move in that direction.

46 | Endeavour Magazine

is proud to be associated with Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname, and to positively contribute to their continued succes and impact on the Suriname economy.

ROODHART GROUP

Roodhart Group is your reliable, multidisciplined partner in industrial and marine rotating equipment. With a handson mentality, we are committed to adding value to your operational requirements: we achieve cost reduction and efficiency improvements for our clients, and offer a wealth of experience and expertise in the supply and maintenance of industrial and marine equipment.

IMPROVING RELIABILITY IN OIL & GAS INDUSTRY

Rotating equipment services Field services Procurement & logistics Project engineering and packaging Asset management Industrial & Offshore

ROODHA RT GROUP

www.roodhart.com | Rotterdam, the Netherlands support@roodhart.com

Endeavour Magazine | 47

AURYN RESOURCES WWW.AURYNRESOURCES.COM // 001 778 729 0600

THE GOLDEN LINING “This is a once in a career, once in a lifetime opportunity.” Auryn Resources is a junior explorer on the verge of what could be a major discovery. As they complete the season’s drilling and await their results, we spoke with Ivan Bebek, executive chairman and co-founder of Auryn Resources, about Auryn’s current portfolio and the exciting discoveries that could be on their horizon.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

AURYN RESOURCES

It is no secret that the gold market is at a low point. In

fact, for the past year, it has been getting steadily worse. “The gold price and the gold sentiment has deteriorated on a monthly basis for 12 months in a row.” Ivan is upfront about the current state of the market, and yet he’s bubbling with anticipation. “I average about four hours sleep a night because of my excitement thinking about the potential discoveries we could make.”

T

his might seem strange, coming from the Chairman of a gold junior during a gold market slump, but Ivan knows two very exciting things: firstly, this low point means that the market

should be ready for an upswing over the next few years and, fortuitously timed with this trajectory, Auryn Resources’ portfolio may soon bear treasure of global significance. We spoke with Ivan about their current projects and Auryn to learn more. .

Whilst Auryn Resources has several projects in Peru and Canada, we focused in on two in particular: Committee Bay in the Arctic, and the Peruvian Sombrero. Both projects represent heavy investments and hard, often arduous work, particularly in Committee Bay’s case, and both required leaps of ingenuity and faith from Auryn and its team, but those gambles and long hours may be poised to pay off. In both cases, Auryn’s team believes that all the signs are pointing to the possibility of discovering a worldclass gold deposit – perhaps even more than one.

“Committee Bay is a 300-kilometre-long greenstone belt with several gold occurrences along the entire belt, and Sombrero is over 100 000 hectares. These sites are district scale, meaning that there may be multiple multiple multi-million ounce deposits within the large land positions discovered over the next few decades. We spent about three years – this is our fourth year – and quite a bit of capital to bring these projects to a near-discovery state.”

The last 5 million ounce gold mine to be found was back in 2013 – the Amaruq mine, discovered by Agnico Eagle, which is now in development. This deposit is close to Committee Bay, as

50 | Endeavour Magazine

well as it’s Agnico Eagle’s third mine of consequence in the arctic,

they have taken an aggressive approach to developing these assets,

implying a potential gold-rich area. The recent drop in large high-

throwing money at these locations and making risky decisions that

quality gold discoveries also means promising things for gold prices:

seem set to pay off.

“Nobody’s finding goldmines. Two years from now, there’ll be a

This aggressive approach has been particularly true at Committee

major production cliff – I believe we will lose approximately 20% of

Bay. The 300 km greenstone belt is a massive undertaking, and the

global production in one year. Very few people are spending money

Arctic makes for hostile working conditions. The land had already

looking for new mines, and we’re one of them. We strongly believe

seen about $65 million worth of exploration expenditure before

that there will be a major reversal in gold prices as we get closer to

Auryn acquired it, including $30 million spent on the infrastructure,

the production cliff and the potential weakening of the US dollar.”

which includes a full camp, fuel and even drills. However, there

All of this puts Auryn in a fantastic position: if their portfolio bears

was still plenty of work to be done. To tackle such a large area,

fruit, it will come at the perfect time.

Auryn devised a method of till sampling to study the glacial till that

So, why is no one finding 5 million ounce deposits anymore?

covers the rocks, which would allow them to study the history of

“All of the easy ones have been found. The amount of capital that

the movement of the glaciers over the belt and eventually vector

was spent from 2000-2011 was intense, and everything that was

back to the sources of gold. They also brought in an R.A.B. drill rig

outcropping was found. Now, people are starting to explore for

(rotary air blast), which drills chips rather than core. Chips provide

major deposits undercover.” Undercover exploration is more costly

less information than core, but they are far quicker to produce, and

and a much higher-risk endeavour, requiring more time, resources

more efficient when exploring a large area:

and effort. The bear market has significantly reduced the number

“We drilled 18 targets last year, spending approximately $25

of companies searching for gold, and slowed their searches down:

million drilling 30,000 meters. That kind of undertaking along

which means very high rewards could await for shareholders of

with the aggressive sampling we have done across the 300km is

the first company to find the next high-grade, large deposit, and

the kind of undertaking you would see a major do in ten years or

Auryn’s team is confident that the signs they’re seeing at their

so, and we did it in a couple of years. It’s been extremely tough

projects indicate they could be onto two of them. Not holding back,

on our geologists because the amount of energy and work is very

Endeavour Magazine | 51

AURYN RESOURCES intense in the short seasons. You have from June to August to

will eternally evolve at Committee Bay, but our confidence is the

be physically working on the project with access to the surface,

highest it’s ever been. We’re seeing spectacular core.”

and you don’t get results until after the season, so you’re working

The results from this year’s drilling will be fully returned by the

basically around the clock, 24 hours a day for three months straight,

end of October. “What we’re hoping to define is a model so that

and then there’s processing the data in the fall ahead of the next

everyone can see the start of a significant deposit vs. a one-hit-

yea’rs plans.”

wonder. That’s what I’m excited about. When we get an answer this

The method was costly, but it allowed Auryn to speed up

year, if successful, it may show us something that we can actually

their chance for discovery. The vast amount of data allowed them

call a start of a deposit, and people can start to make meaningful

to compare the land in this district against nearby discoveries,

speculations as to its size and value based on how many holes, over

and through this comparison, they saw that Committee Bay was

the 1.5 km drilled, if the rock we hit contains high grade gold.”

exhibiting all of the geological signs one would hope for to imply

What if this heavy investment in Committee Bay doesn’t pay

the potential presence of significant gold deposits, and this meant

off? The results so far are on par with other key discoveries in the

they were ready for the next step:

area, and Auryn feels confident in their cause for excitement, but in

“This year, we brought out the core rig for the first time for

the exploration game, nothing is for certain. However, Committee

maiden exploration, and what we’ve had a chance to do is see

Bay isn’t their only key project; they also have a potential ace in

what’s happening in the rocks in a much more revealing manner,

the hole in Peru at their Sombrero property. This project looks

and in real-time. We’re hitting all the right rocks and at respectable

as though it could be just as fruitful, and it is less expensive and

widths, and what we’re seeing in our drilling this year is much

logistically challenging to develop:

stronger and much more evident than what we have seen to date.

“The Arctic is fairly isolated and requires infrastructure. In our

The most important factor this year was the tightening of the

Sombrero project, the opportunity is parallel to what Committee

spacing of the sampling we did on surface. When we sampled the

Bay could be in scale, but it boasts some of the best infrastructure

belt we were sampling 500 meters by 1000 meters. This year we’re

one could hope for in a project. As luck would have it, the

looking at 100 by 100 meters. The science is not perfect, and it

government put in high-tensile power lines on the project since

52 | Endeavour Magazine

Auryn optioned the project. It also has roads directly to it, water and access to people nearby.”

“A river cuts a 400 meter cliff, and in that cliff, there are mining adits half-way-down– the Spaniards were mining into the actual

Las Bambas, a notable copper deposit approximately 200km

cliff, showing that the entire cliff, which we sampled, is mineralised

east of Sombrero, sold for $7.3 billion in 2014, despite 2014 being

from top to bottom. It’s one thing to have the surface showing gold

a bad year for metal prices. This has Auryn feeling understandably

and copper, but it’s another to have a free cross section. It really

positive - especially since early exploration implies that Sombrero

increases the confidence and probability.”

bears several similar characteristics, including copper levels, to Las

“One of the factors here is the grade – we’re seeing up to 193

Bambas, on top of signs of gold instead of molybdenum, which is

gram-per-ton gold, and up to 17% copper. That means there’s a

seen in Las Bmabas. Sombrero is located between many rich sites -

very high metal budget, implying it’s a strong system, which is a

so why had no one developed it before? Ivan explained: “There was

very positive line of evidence. The second thing we like about it

volcanic cover over all the rocks on this side of the major gold trend

is the scale. We’re talking multi-kilometre, long targets. The scale

and so people didn’t really look in this region. About ten years ago,

would be comparable to Las Bambas and several of the other major

a gentleman named Miguel Cardozo - now part of our technical

mines in the region. “

team - noticed that there was an erosion window in this cover

Between these two projects, it seems a safe bet that Auryn could

where one could see the bedrock. He was sampling very high gold

be on the cusp of at least one major deposit, if not several! Pouring

and copper values, but was never able to drill it because market

everything into these sites, the company is combining courage and

cycles turned against exploration.” The team at Auryn recognized

gut instinct with careful planning: also in the portfolio are a number

the opportunity to invest and continue Miguel’s work, and as with

of midsize projects, which the company would consider selling, if

Committee Bay, so far, they are finding all of the geological signs

the right price was offered, in order to fund their larger ventures.

they would hope for to imply a major deposit. Most excitingly in

“Our most advanced project is Homestake Ridge. This is a

Sombrero, a ravine and past small-scale miners have afforded them

spectacular deposit – it’s about 1.2 million ounces at 7.5 grams per

a sneak preview of what might lie under the highly-mineralized

ton gold and silver equivalent, so far. We suspect that this could

surface rocks:

potentially have a lower capex to build, due to nearby infrastructure,

Endeavour Magazine | 53

AURYN RESOURCES and potentially mined profitably due to the high-grade nature of

deposit, and this was achieved in Ghana. Whilst Keegan developed

the mineralization. We are drilling it right now to expand more of

this site, Cayden was founded with a similar goal, and it was

the high-grade gold we’ve found there, but it’s in a much more

successfully sold to Agnico Eagle for $205 million amidst the bear

mature stage than many of our other projects. Because of its

market after a hundred drill holes, even despite an official resource.

proximity to other deposits in British Columbia’s Golden Triangle,

The team grew at Cayden with Ivan and Shawn then teaming up with

and infrastructure that goes right to the edge of the property, it

Russell Star, a finance guy with a lengthy and successful career in

makes it a very appealing asset for a mid-tier.”

institutional banking. Through both companies, the partners learnt

Ivan is standing at a breath-taking moment in his career - there

what it meant to run successful junior exploration companies from

is all to play for, and all he can do now is wait for the results and

set-up to discovery to production and/or sale. Achieving success

look forward to drilling Sombrero in early 2019. We asked him how

with both, they set out to take their ambition a step further, and

he had ended up here, and where his journey with mining began:

Auryn was born, with the aim of finding projects that would make

“I started in the business as a stock broker at 22 years old, and

gold majors take notice.

I was buying mining stocks back in the .com era. In 2005, I came

Today, some majors are. Notably, Goldcorp invested in the junior

across my partner, a fellow mining entrepreneur, Shawn Wallace.

last January, putting in $36 million and becoming Auryn’s biggest

He’s seven years my senior and when we met each other we said,

singular shareholder. They followed this investment with a further

‘You know what? We like working for these two successful mining

$2 million the following year in two more financings. This interest,

groups, Roman Skhklanka in my case and Hunter Dickinson in his,

which Ivan believes is the largest investment globally from a major

but we want to try it our way’, taking the best of what we learned

into a junior at this low point in the gold cycle, shows the major’s

in the business to date.”

confidence in what Auryn is doing, and appeal of the potential scale

Shawn and Ivan started two companies prior to Auryn –

of the discoveries that might be made.

Keegan Resources and Cayden Resources. Keegan Resources was

In talking about their potential success, Ivan continuously brings

established in 2005, with the aim of finding a 5-million-ounce

the credit back around to his partners and the Auryn team. As well

54 | Endeavour Magazine

as his partner Shawn, he points to Auryn’s chief geologist, Michael

the freedom to follow their gut and approach their jobs with the

Henrichsen. Henrichsen was originally a global structural geologist

passion and individuality that their expertise gives them, rather

for Newmont. “He is one of the most professionally organised

than ticking boxes, has allowed the team to flourish, and there is no

geologists I’ve ever met. His best asset is that he surrounds himself

quicker route to a group of happy scientists. When a team is happy,

with people that know more than him about different areas of

they put in extra effort – Ivan tells us that during the exploration

geology. His area is structural geology, but if he needs to know

months, everyone, himself included, is putting in overtime not

about geochemistry, say, he goes to the world expert: somebody

because they have to, but for the love of the task.

that’s humble enough to acknowledge that they don’t know

Now, with results and possibly rewards for that effort so close

everything, especially in the world of science, is a brilliant person

on the horizon, Ivan and the team are full of optimistic anticipation:

to have confidence in. So, Michael’s the one who assembled the

“It’s an emotional rollercoaster that I can’t really describe. Do we

technical team for Auryn.”

have the next biggest goldmine in the world, or do we still have

Like Michael, Auryn’s team of experts includes many names

more work to do? I’m more excited than worried, but I’m so excited

that previously worked for exploration majors. We asked Ivan how

that I average about four hours of sleep a night. I look at Sombrero

Auryn managed to not only attract such a high-calibre team, but

and Committee Bay both in a portfolio, and I go, ‘This is a once in

how they’ve allowed this team to flourish and make the most of

a career, once in a lifetime, that as a junior explorer, to have the

their potential: “Our ability to finance really drew them in, and we

scale of these projects, at a time where the market’s not finding

also took away a lot of the red tape that they had with a major. The

resources.”

big deposits I’ve seen found are by a geologist who’s been free to

“It’s a spectacular opportunity that I’m doubtful will find us

be extremely creative in their exploration efforts. When you offer

again. I’m hoping one of the two, or both of them, work out, and

to back people financially, and give them the latitude to do what is

that we can deliver a return for the next 20 or 30 years.”

necessary for science, it doesn’t guarantee you a discovery, but it certainly gives you a really good shot.“ Allowing this talented team

Endeavour Magazine | 55

HISSHO SUSHI WWW.HISSHOSUSHI.COM // 001 704.926.2200

CERTAIN VICTORY! In Endeavour Magazine we have often featured companies that have risen-up from the humblest of beginnings to become industry leaders in their fields, whether regionally or even internationally.

It can safely be said that few, if any, however, began life from beginnings quite as humble as that of Hissho Sushiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspiring CEO and Founder, Philip Maung.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

HISSHO SUSHI Hissho Sushi is the culmination of a remarkable rags to

riches journey of a remarkable man. It is a real-life tale of passion and belief, hard work and eventual hardearned success; more than this, though, it is proof that the American Dream still exists for those willing and hungry enough to reach up and seize it. And boy has Philip reaped the rewards.

With over 900 sushi and Pan-Asian hotbars and kiosks in operation across 40 states, and counting, business at Hissho Sushi is booming. Endeavour Magazine had the pleasure of catching-up with Philip to find out more.

I

f you haven’t heard the name of Hissho Sushi, or that of the company’s founder Philip Maung outside of the US just yet, you’d be forgiven. Equally, however, you can be rest assured that

both names are ones you will begin to hear a lot more of over the years to come.

The story of both man and company is one of determination, ambition, and tireless hard work, fit to suit the Hissho namesake – meaning ‘certain victory.’ After beginning life as a humble husband and wife set-up out of Philip’s family home in Charlotte, North Carolina, just 9 years after he arrived on US shores with a pocketful of dollars to his name, today, Hissho Sushi has been on the Hot 500 list of fastest growing businesses in the US, and was recently named to the Inc 5000 list of the fastest growing privately owned business in the US for the 6th time in 7 years.

It is a food retail giant of sorts with over 900 outlets across more than 40 states and rising, boasting an annual revenue in excess of US$100 million. But rather than sell its menu of sushi snacks from the branded restaurants that are usually the signature of a major food retail brand, Hissho Sushi does things a little differently.

Hissho’s delicious Spicy Salmon, Tuna-Avocado, and California rolls, along with its Chicken Gyoza, Nippon Favorite, Inari, and Nagano Special, instead, vie for space with a wide range of other

58 | Endeavour Magazine

HISSHO SUSHI Pan-Asian bites in the display cases of Hissho’s fresh sushi bar and

whatever they’re doing, whether they are at work or at play or in a

Pan-Asian hot bar kiosks in shops, supermarkets, airports, corporate

rush, the chances are Hissho Sushi will be available. How could fine

facilities and universities across the length and breadth of the US.

snacking be more convenient?

As Philip explained, the logic behind this is simple: “Hissho

Hungry sushi lovers can pick-up a box from a Hissho Sushi

Sushi is aimed at yuppies and young professionals who often don’t

kiosk at their local shop along while they buy milk and bread, or

have time to sit down in a restaurant and have a sit down meal.

while waiting for a connection at the airport; when at corporate

Our customers are time-short, so to cater to them we offer a ‘grab

conferences with work, or on campus at university. It’s sushi

and go’ system so that wherever they are, however much of a rush

made easy; really easy, and it’s made easy without compromising

they are in, they can pick up a Hissho Sushi on the move.” It is this

on freshness. Hissho Sushi is synonymous with quality, and the

convenience which has proved to be a main ingredient for Hissho’s

delivery of quality begins and ends with its dedicated, expert chefs

rip-roaring rise from being a one man band to becoming one of the

who are trained the Hissho way at the company’s Charlotte, NC

sector’s industry leaders.

headquarters at Steele Creek Road.

On this, Andrea Lee, Head of Corporate Communications at

THE KEY TO HISSHO’S ‘CERTAIN VICTORY’: RESTAURANT-GRADE QUALITY, AFFORDABILITY, AND CONVENIENCE

Hissho, explained: “Hissho recruits and trains chefs and supervisors at our headquarters in Charlotte, NC. These same people are then sent back into the field to operate our sushi bars, or Pan-Asian hot

Since the company first opened for business in 1998, Hissho

bars, either as a franchisee or employee. Fresh sushi or hot bar

Sushi has steadily perfected the business of delivering restaurant-

items are made fresh every day, using product shipped from Hissho

grade sushi to customers at affordable prices into a fine art. But

Sushi HQ, and always purchasing their produce locally to ensure

more importantly than this, however, Hissho makes its high-

the freshest available.”

grade, affordable sushi easily accessible. Wherever customers are,

She continued: “CEO Philip Maung insists on the very

Accelerate CPAs & Advisors with Your Growth in Mind No matter where you want to take your business, you need a resourceful and innovative partner to steer you in the right direction.

Let Cherry Bekaert guide you forward to your growth destination.

With InnovAsian Cuisine’s ready to use components you can create authentic Asian meals with minimal preparation.

We offer: quality ingredients and consistent taste through our extensive line of Asian products including: proteins, sauce, rice & noodle dishes as well as appetizers.

0g No TRANS FAT

MSG

We Also Specialize In GLUTEN FREE, VEGAN, VEGETARIAN & CLEAN LABEL

Congratulations, Hissho Sushi.

We are proud to be part of the team!

Find out how we can be your guide forward

cbh.com

1111 Metropolitan Ave. Suite 1000 Charlotte, NC 28204 704.377.1678

Atlanta | Charlotte | Hampton Roads | Miami | Raleigh-Durham Richmond | Tampa | Washington D.C.

60 | Endeavour Magazine

WWW.INNOVASIANCUISINE.COM

best quality across the board for all of the ingredients that go

self-belief, his desire to achieve success and, no less importantly,

into any of our products. Our items are made fresh every day

happiness. And make no mistake about it; the Hissho story is still in

and our customers can rest assured that they are getting the

its early chapters. That the business has more than doubled in size

best of the best.”

over the past three years alone speaks volumes; more so, when you take into account that this doubling has occurred in-line with Hissho

DREAMS OF A BETTER LIFE, SELF-BELIEF AND HARD WORK – THE FOUNDATIONS UPON WHICH SUCCESS IS BUILT

Sushi’s somewhat conservative growth strategy, which is “in the manner of a tortoise; slow and steady wins the race.” A particularly apt metaphor, since the tortoise has a very long lifespan.

What is there to say? When you take into consideration for a

Business is booming, as they say, but while Hissho Sushi’s

moment that he has built a food retail empire and a multi-million

portfolio continues to expand, with new locations being added

dollar fortune only two decades after landing on US shores with

each month, that isn’t to say the company has had things entirely

just $13 in his pocket, Hissho Sushi’s success can, to say the least,

its own way. The food retail sector is a big money game, and as

be considered be a job very well done on the part of Philip Maung.

one would expect the company faces fierce competition from rival

The Hissho Sushi success story is an inspiring, true-life tale

businesses, some of whom have been open for business much

about just what can be achieved by somebody with little, but who

longer than Hissho’s 18-years. Added to this, there is also the

dreams big; somebody who has an insatiable hunger for a better

additional threat posed by a number of ambitious, exciting new

life, and who has the work ethic, belief, invention and dynamism to

start-ups that are emerging, all of who are hungry and ready to

pursue it. As anybody who has looked up at the stars from a life of

cut into Hissho’s formidable market share should the opportunity

seemingly hopeless poverty knows, a dream of a better life is the

present itself. But as of yet, the company has proven resilient to the

most powerful of drivers for success. What Philip lacked in money

best efforts of the competition.

or connections he more than made up for in endeavour, incredible

Not that Philip is overly concerned: “Our marketplace is

Endeavour Magazine | 61

HISSHO SUSHI competitive, but that’s life. Whatever you do, in business or in life,

lead a company to experience its fair share of growing pain, even

there is competition everywhere. We’re aware of the competition

if the transition is a slow one. Maintaining a winning corporate

but we don’t focus on it. We focus inwards; on delivering quality

culture and attracting staff who are truly invested in a company’s

and building a culture in which our staff are happy and motivated,

values in such instances is difficult. When, like Hissho Sushi, such a

and which is true to our values.”

transition is made over a 10-year period of frenzied, rapid growth, it can be near impossible to maintain the identity and values that

HISSHO SUSHI: NOT JUST A COMPANY BUT A WAY OF LIFE

first brought about your success in the first place.

The company which Philip has lovingly nurtured over the years is more than a company; it’s a way of life. The Hissho brand is instantly recognisable, chic, and much-loved by the hipsters, creatives and young professionals who make up much of its customer base. And, besides, which of its competitors has such a charismatic, instantly recognisable personality at the helm?

THE IMPORTANCE OF HISSHO SUSHI’S 11 CORE VALUES, AND ITS WINNING TEAM OF STAFF Philip Maung found this out the hard way. After a first decade of incredible growth, during which Maung in his words “hired staff left

No, the only real challenges that have stood in Hissho Sushi’s

and right,” he stepped back in the end for a breather, only to realise

way have been internal in nature, related to the company’s, at

he presided over a divided business with a clear lack of identity,

times difficult 18-year journey from start-up to food retail giant.

and more than a few employees who hadn’t bought into his values,

The process of growing first from a small out-of-the-home-kitchen

nor were as invested in Hissho’s success as they should have been.

start-up to a mid-sized local and regional player, and then finally a

Finally, this led to Philip creating a ‘once voice, one culture’

cross-continental hegemon with a presence in more than 40 states

ideal, and the creation of Hissho Sushi’s 11 Core Values – the

doesn’t come without its difficulties. Such a transition will always

philosophy by which he and his employees live out each and

62 | Endeavour Magazine

every day; a philosophy which he regrets not implementing from

company sushi chef, and today she heads up our logistics team and

the off. Maintaining a small company, family culture is central

supervises its operations. Processing weekly orders from chefs and

to Hissho Sushi. It acts as the anchor by which it preserves the

staff working out in the field, warehouse operations and shipping, is

values and identities that have underpinned its success, and fosters

a hugely challenging job with a lot of responsibility – only somebody

togetherness and loyalty among its 340 or so staff – the men and

who understands the business from the ground up could do it.”

women without whom the company could never have achieved what it has achieved.

All in all, it is clear to see that Hissho Sushi is a progressive company that is on the up, and its journey to the top is far from

On this, Andrea told us: “Each member of Hissho’s 340 or so

over. In Philip’s view, the coming 5-years will see the company doing

staff is carefully vetted and trained specifically to not only be able

what it does best, namely delivering great, accessible Asian cuisine.

to perform their job, but are cross-trained to improve efficiency.

He said: “We will continue expanding steadily, but something we

Hissho’s benefit package is generous and includes a matched

are aiming to do is to improve our product offerings beyond sushi.

401k, 90% of healthcare costs paid by the company, flex time, free

Already we have a range of Pan-Asian products that are available,

activities like yoga and weight training with a personal instructor,

but there is room for growth in this area. That will be our focus in

an on-site library, exercise equipment, basketball, ping-pong, a

the short to medium-term.”

communal patio with a fire pit, and numerous company-funded outside activities.”

She continues, “Hissho employees also have the opportunity to rise up through the ranks – we have added great talent to senior staff and management teams, who rose up through the ranks after gaining experience. The prefect example would be our Director of Logistics, Hsiao Wen. Wen started out with us 15-years ago as

Endeavour Magazine | 63

TERANGA GOLD CORPORATION WWW.TERANGAGOLD.COM // 001 416 594 0000

LASTING TREASURE Corporate social responsibility â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something we take seriously in business, but some companies lift it to another level. One such company is Teranga Gold Corporation, a gold producer that is making waves in French West Africa, not only with an exciting and highly profitable organic pipeline, but with a vast slate of CSR projects to match.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

TERANGA GOLD CORPORATION

Richard Young, Teranga Gold Corporation’s President and

CEO, joined the Company at its inception: “I was the first employee, and Alan Hill, our Chairman, and I took the Company public in late 2010. I was the President and CFO until the fall of 2012, at which point I became President and CEO, and I’ve held that position ever since.”

T

he two men met at Barrick Gold Corp after Young joined

on their second mine, Wahgnion, located in Burkina Faso, which is

the team in the early nineties. Prior to this, starting in 1984,

anticipated to be in production by the end of 2019. Once up and

Hill had led the development of Barrick’s mines, which gave

running, Wahgnion is expected to increase the Company’s yearly

him a wealth of experience with which to set out and achieve a pipeline of his own. “Barrick was smaller when we met, and then grew into a larger company, and both Alan and I left together with

production by 50% to between 300,000 oz. and 350,000 oz.

Teranga also has an excellent organic pipeline, the key focus of which is the Golden Hill project:

the goal of doing something more entrepreneurial. We’ve worked

“We started drilling Golden Hill in the first quarter of 2017,

together ever since.” At first, the pair joined Gabrielle Resources,

and we expect to announce a maiden resource by the end of this

where Richard indicated they attempted to permit one the largest

year. We spent about $7 million on the project in 2017, and have a

undeveloped gold deposits in the world - unfortunately, with no

budget of $8 million for 2018. Golden Hill is moving along rapidly.

success. After five years, in 2010, they turned their attention to

We’re getting very good grades and continuity in our first five target

new horizons: “We had tried our hand at permitting, and we really

areas; presuming we get the tonnage, we’ll move on to a feasibility

wanted something that was already in production and was in a

study with a view to developing Golden Hill into our third mine.”

country that was mining-friendly - a country where we could grow.

This third project is particularly exciting because of the elevation it

Sabodala Gold Mine in Senegal seemed to be that place.”

could give Teranga’s production profile: attaining mid-tier status is

Teranga acquired this mine in 2010, and the flagship has now produced over 1.4 million oz. of gold. Last year saw a record yield of

an active goal for the Company, and it seems that management has a clear path to achieving this vision.

233,000 oz., and for the next five years, the Company predicts an

On top of all this, Teranga also has exploration projects in both

annual yield of 200,000 oz. Looking further ahead, there is a long

Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, which could turn into mines further

life still in the mine yet! “It’s got at least a 13-year mine life left; it’s

down the line.

a quality asset for us.”

Teranga has an impressive pipeline, which represents heavy

Off the back of this asset, the future holds a busy slate for

investments from the Company, as well as strategic forward

Teranga Gold. Thanks to the Sabodala Gold Mine’s steady success,

planning. The acquisitions behind this line-up began in earnest in

the Company has been able to expand: work has already commenced

around 2013, when many gold mines in Africa were feeling the

66 | Endeavour Magazine

TERANGA GOLD CORPORATION pinch of the downturn in gold prices. Instead of playing it safe,

you move into an emerging jurisdiction where there isn’t a history

Teranga’s management team and board took a chance: “For the

of gold mining, there’s a lot of work that a company needs to do in

most part in 2013, companies retreated and focused on limiting

order to gain the trust of its stakeholders. We’ve really focused on

costs and taking care of their balance sheets, whereas we took the

that: it’s our aim to lead the West African mining community in CSR.”

opportunity to start building a strong pipeline of projects designed

Many companies express a similar sentiment, but the Teranga

to take us to mid-tier status.” The decision was a gamble, but a wise

team is inarguably putting their money where their mouth is. We

one, and now Teranga faces the exciting prospect of reaping the

asked Richard to break down some of the initiatives that the

rewards. “We’ve really set this company up for what we think is

Company has put in place, and it was far from a short answer.

tremendous growth in the next few years.”

This focus seems as central and sincere as the Company’s focus

This foresight and bold investment could be highlighted

on mining – and to Richard’s mind, the one can’t exist without the

as the key to Teranga’s success, but Richard and Alan feel it is

other. The first of the projects he explained to us was Teranga’s

something more than this. “First and foremost, I think it’s our

approach to government relations:

focus on CSR.” Corporate social responsibility initiatives focus

“In 2013, with a downturn in gold prices, there was less money

on ways that companies can operate sustainably, ethnically, and

coming into Africa. The Senegalese mining code had made sense

to the long-term benefit of the regions they work in. They are

when it came into effect in 2003, but the country was under severe

an increasingly important focus for many businesses, particularly

financial pressure ten years later.” Teranga cooperated with the

for heavy industries that have the potential to greatly impact the

Senegalese government to make their operations in the Sabodala

communities around them, for better or for worse. However, for

mine more mutually beneficial: “Within West Africa, when you’re

Teranga, CSR is not an afterthought, an addition or even a safety-

converting an exploration licence into a mining licence, there’s an

net. It is the front line.

option for the government to take an additional interest, which

“We lead with CSR,” Richard explains with pride. “We have

generally speaking they don’t take, but we paid for that option. We

always believed that a strong CSR programme pays for itself. When

also moved our royalty rate up from 3% to 5%. Many companies will

68 | Endeavour Magazine

pay the mining code and not a dollar more, but we understood that this was a long-term partnership. That made a world of difference for us and the government.”

This cooperation and understanding built up trust between Teranga Gold and the Government of Senegal; however, maintaining credibility with the central government alone was not enough.

Richard and Alan believe that every stakeholder, including the Company’s shareholders, should benefit from responsible mining, and this meant working with the communities directly affected by Teranga’s operations. The first way to do this is to make sure the Company’s presence creates jobs, rather than taking them away: “At the beginning, between 10%-13% of our workforce was expatriate. We’ve now cut that down to between 5%-6%. We also work with small enterprises on precuring goods and services.

We’ve gone to local companies for our ore haulage, for all of our bus services, and maintenance work on our mills – we really work hard to work with local companies to build up their skill set.”

These efforts keep money moving through the communities Teranga works in, which provides a strong short-to-mid-term benefit. However, more than this, they are thinking long-term: “We have a local training programme on site, where we bring casual labour in to learn skills – bricklaying, carpentry, iron works etc. This

Endeavour Magazine | 69

TERANGA GOLD CORPORATION allows them to not only work but also to learn a trade that they can employ either regionally or at a national level.”

“It was tough. In fact, there were groups who didn’t think it was possible. We really believed it could be successful, but it took time.

One of the most significant and innovative of Teranga’s long-

Ultimately, though, after the first market garden took off, then all

term projects has been the development of ‘market gardens’.

the other communities wanted one.” Teranga has also built several

Some of the communities that the Company work in are in

health clinics in Sabodala, and runs a project called White Gold for

dry, arid areas far from the coast where there is a distinct rainy

Life, which works with artisanal miners who used to farm cotton

season, and the ground does not hold the moisture well, meaning

before its global prices suffered. “They want to go back to farming.

that the food supply is weak. Teranga decided to do something

It’s more stable, it’s safer, and their kids can be in school. White

about it:

Gold for Life is basically a seed to shelf project, because the area

“We had 18 months of consultation with local stakeholders and government on what they wanted to see this region grow,

actually has all the five steps that are required to produce a finished product.”

and then we looked for appropriate opportunities.” Following the

The Company’s projects don’t end there: “We’ve got a social

consultations, the Company devised the idea of market gardens,

fund of between US$1.2-$1.5 million a year, which we spend on

and they have now constructed 12 to date. Areas of land are

local projects. We establish an annual protocol with the community,

prepared for farming around the installation of a bore hole that can

where they set out how they want that money to be spent. Everyone

keep the crops watered all year round. Each garden costs around

is aware of which projects each community has focused on and

US$255,000 to create, depending on size, and an ergonomist

wants to move forward.” We also set up a dedicated fund after

works closely with the women of the communities to make sure

the discovery of a high-grade mine 25 kilometres from Teranga’s

that the farms cultivate a beneficial variety of crops between them.

processing plant. When artisanal miners travelled to work the new

The project has been life-changing, improving the health of the

site, Teranga used the fund to inject economic activity back into

families and the areas impacted, but surprisingly, it initially proved

the areas they had travelled from, to mitigate the impact of them

difficult for Teranga to get groups involved:

moving away.

70 | Endeavour Magazine

Arranging CSR projects of this capacity, and with this level of local insight and involvement, is a full-time job in itself. In fact, it’s several! Teranga has made this scale of involvement possible by committing not only time and resources, but people. In 2010, the Company’s CSR team consisted of two employees; today, it has 50.

“We’re really proud of our CSR work. To be honest, it’s one of the most pleasurable aspects of our roles.” Teranga’s genuine commitment to CSR has paid off, both for the communities that have and continue to prosper as a result, and for the Company itself. Generosity and reliability have created strong business ties and bonds that are allowing them to pursue the exciting organic growth pipeline they have in the works: “It’s allowed us to grow the Company in Senegal, and more importantly, it’s allowed us to grow elsewhere in French West Africa, because our solid reputation precedes us.”

Smart business sense that benefits everyone, combined with the gutsy decision to expand when other companies were internally focused - Teranga Gold is a company set to achieve great things in the coming years, and in our opinion, they deserve to do so!

Endeavour Magazine | 71

CAYMAN AUTOMOTIVE WWW.CAYMANAUTOMOTIVE.COM // 001 345.749.0900

DRIVEN BY SUCCESS With a vision to offer the crème de la crème of electric vehicles to the Caribbean, John Felder created Cayman Automotive, an innovative leasing, marketing and sales company that had a sustainable and environmentally responsible future in its sights. Endeavour Magazine spoke with Felder, to find out more about what drives his continued success.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

CAYMAN AUTOMOTIVE

Incorporated in 2005, Cayman Automotive might be a

relative newcomer to the automotive industry, but that certainly hasn’t stopped John Felder, Owner and CEO, from achieving incredible success in a short space of time.

W

hile you might think that the introduction of electric

automotive industry and we offer a warranty on every vehicle that

vehicles to the Caribbean would have been a welcome

we sell, which is a first in the Caribbean.”

innovation, Felder is candid about the struggles he had to

overcome,

He goes on to add, “Our Platinum Leasing Plan is the most customer focused lease

“When I made a decision to begin marketing and selling

plan available anywhere. The service includes comprehensive

electric vehicles in Grand Cayman, this was not possible because

insurance, all factory maintenance, mechanical breakdown

the current laws did not include electric engines, so the vehicles

coverage, 24-7 roadside assistance, courtesy airport delivery

could not be licensed. I worked tirelessly for seven years and on

and pickup. Our customer demographic is the college-educated,

November 11, 2011, The Cayman Islands Government changed the

professional, 35-65 age group, with an environmentalist ethos.

law to allow electric vehicles to be driven on public roads. The fact

Most of our customers are in Grand Cayman. We sell new and

that I did not give up was inspiring to many Caymanians who still

used vehicles from both the US and the UK, so we can provide

say that I never gave up.”

customers with either a left or right hand drive position.”

Naturally, finding ways to ensure the sustainability of the planet

2009 must seem like a lifetime ago now, but that’s when the

are vital, but with such hurdles to tackle, right from the outset, it is

first electric vehicles were introduced to the Caribbean, by Cayman

truly incredible that Felder never once considered giving up on his

Automotive and the fleet has grown to an impressive size. With

dream. When you discover that the company now boasts a nothing

Nissan Leaf, Tesla, Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Bolt, Vauxhall Ampera,

short of impressive annual revenue, it was clearly a dream worth

BYD and JACChevrolet Spark EV all now readily available from

pursuing, but now is not the time to sit back and get complacent.

Cayman Automotive, there is truly a vehicle for everyone and there

Felder makes it clear that continued innovation and customer

are industrial interests rising as well. Partnering with Smith Electric

satisfaction-driven initiatives are the only way to maintain his

Vehicles has meant that Cayman Automotive was able to ingratiate

amazing grip on the electric automotive industry,

itself into the competitive commercial vehicles market by offering

“Cayman Automotive’s core business is automotive sales,

the first 100% electric fleet trucks and vans. The impressive

leasing and service. Our slogan, “We service what we sell”, is critical

partnerships don’t end there though, as ZEV Electric has also come

because we are the only company in the Caribbean that have the

onboard to offer the world’s longest-range motor scooters and

diagnostic equipment, training and over 30 years’ experience in the

motorcycles to the Caribbean.

74 | Endeavour Magazine

CAYMAN AUTOMOTIVE Operating throughout The Bahamas, Cuba, Grand Cayman and

“On January 11, 2011, Premier Automotive Export, which is

Barbados already, Jamaica is soon to be added to the extensive

a division of Cayman Automotive Leasing, received approval for

network of dealers that Felder has collated, but the question has to

the first Export License to ship vehicles from the U.S. to Cuba. On

be asked; how buoyant is the electric vehicles market?

March 17, 2017 the historic Launch Event was held in Havana,

“The current state of the Caymanian market is robust and growing. Competition is limited because it’s difficult to sell vehicles that you cannot offer the service after the sale.”

Cuba with the Embassy of Guyana taking delivery of a Nissan Leaf and Clipper Creek Level II Fast Charge Station.”

With a fantastic product on offer, monopoly of the market and

Dominating the market is not the only concern for Felder and

an eye for future innovations, Cayman Automotive seem to have

his team, however, as they want these vehicles to be easy to use, a

it made, but all of this could easily fall by the wayside, if a team of

pleasure to own and simple to operate, which is why an extensive

committed customer service agents were not in place. We don’t

network of charging points have been created,

think you’ll be surprised to learn that Felder is insistent that every

“To accommodate the needs of Grand Cayman’s ever growing ownership of electric vehicles, Cayman Automotive was

client is treated like royalty and when his team lives up to this strict mantle, they are rewarded appropriately,

instrumental in providing the network of charging stations that will

“Our customer service is very customer focused and I inform

handle your needs from West Bay to East End. To take advantage

every employee that when you interact with any of our customers,

of the sun’s abundance of renewable energy, Cayman Automotive

they are to treat them as if they were my parents. We promote from

introduced the first solar panel charging stations in the Caribbean.

within, provide continuous training support and there is currently

We also have two authorised service centres in Grand Cayman and

nine employees.”

Cayman Brac, to handle the service needs of customers on the sister islands.”

Felder went on to note that,

76 | Endeavour Magazine

Given that Cayman Automotive is a company that keeps getting stronger and more successful, it is refreshing to hear that something as simple as exemplar customer service will guarantee employees a

future with prospects. Expertise is not something to be brought in, from outside, on a whim, but rather, nurtured from within, making every single facet of the company far more sustainable than many large companies and, we assume, a guarantee of a small staff turnover.

Having enjoyed incredible support from several vendors, Felder is keen to mention a few in particular that have been instrumental in the introduction of electric vehicles to the Caribbean. Hurley’s Market Place, Camana Bay, Governors Square, Cricket Square, Cayman

Islands

Government,

The

Bahamas

Government,

Caribbean Utility Corporation (CUC), Island Heritage, and Winston Connolly all make the list. There’s absolutely no doubting that Cayman Automotive will continue driving the industry forward and with a newfound agreement reached with Budget-rent-A-Car in Grand Cayman, a 100% electric fleet of rental cars will soon be on offer as well. It just goes to show that if you have vision, passion and determination, anything is possible and we can’t wait to see Felder’s future ideas made reality.

COVER IMAGE The first American manufactured vehicle exported to Cuba

CAYMAN AUTOMOTIVE has made great

strides toward a greener Caribbean and ISLAND HERITAGE is pleased to have been with them from the beginning.

Through our partnership, we were the first insurance company in Cayman to offer comprehensive insurance coverage for electric vehicles.

Today, we’re proud to sponsor 16 SOLAR CHARGING STATIONS and provide further convenience to our eco-conscious customers.

in 60 years alongside a vintage GM vehicle in Old Town Havana 184022_HR-Ad-EndeavorMagazine.pdPage 1

4/6/17

12:17:22 PM

Endeavour Magazine | 77

KORITE AMMOLITE WWW.KORITE.COM // 1-800-917-2228

A GEM OF AN IDEA When it comes to the glamorous world of gemstone discovery and jewellery creation, there is one company that seems to be leagues ahead of competitors in terms of innovative designs and beautiful materials, which is why Endeavour Magazine wanted to take a closer look at KORITE. WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

KORITE AMMOLITE

Founded in 1979, KORITE has risen through the ranks

to become Canada’s premier and most respected coloured gemstone discovery operation, thanks to its single-minded approach to harvesting and displaying ammolite.

I

n fact, the company vision says so much more than we ever could, in terms of how focused it is, “To colour the world with KORITE ammolite, Canada’s

gemstone, recognised for its unique provenance, high quality, rare vibrancy and talisman-like energy.”

With a targeted vision such as this, it makes sense that the mission statement of the operation talks exclusively about celebrating the incredible gemstone, through amazing jewellery designs and high-end collectibles, but what exactly is ammolite?

Derived from ammonite, a fossilised material that is notable for its unusually vibrant colours and stunning composition, finished ammolite has all the aesthetic superiority of its parent material, but in a more polished and presentable way.

“Ammolite is an official gem, certified by the World Gemstone Federation, one of three in the past 300 years. Rare because of its limited discovery in Southern Alberta’s Bearpaw Formation, KORITE is a truly unique and authentic ammolite gem that has bold vibrancy, positive energy and a natural history.”

With control over more than 90% of the ammolite resources in the world, it comes as no surprise that KORITE is so successful, knowledgeable and respected in the industry, after all, if you surround yourself with one specialist product, you’re going to quickly become an expert in it! Don’t think that a single-minded approach to harvesting means an unethical approach though, as that couldn’t be further from the truth as KORITE stands by,

80 | Endeavour Magazine

KORITE AMMOLITE “Environmental and ethical mining practices, eco-responsible

So, KORITE is a market leader, has monopoly over the lion-share

leadership, manufacture, design and community support to the

of the natural resources in the world, thanks to ownership of the

highest standards of sustainability, design, craft and citizenship.

largest commercial mine and now, has an incredibly experienced

The company, its discovery team, craftspeople, designers and sales

and industry-expert management team in place, but that’s not all.

professionals stand by quality and professional confidence at every

With a smooth finish and gorgeous aesthetics that are said to rival

stage of its intimate Canadian operations.”

black opals for their colour and fire, ammolite is entwined in legend,

With a fantastic heritage in the industry already, a new

folklore and even spirituality,

management team came as a welcomed refresh and brought new

“Recognised as the most influential stone of the millennium,

knowledge into the fold that would prove to be fantastically useful

ammolite is celebrated internationally, by Feng Shui masters for its

for future projects. Martin Bunting, a respected retail executive,

significant properties. Only KORITE Canadian ammonites combine

has been brought in as CEO, alongside Jay Maull, a mining and

the excellent properties of the ammolite gemstone and the good

jewellery professional, who was appointed as company President.

fortune of the shell together in one beautiful and very special fossil.

The introduction of these two top-level executives in 2015

The gem symbolises good luck and prosperity, enhances clarity,

heralded a new dawn for KORITE and to say that the future looks

promotes cooperation and encourages wisdom.”

set to be dazzling, would be a trite understatement,

Filled with vibrant colours that correspond to key Feng Shui

“New management introduces new and exciting opportunities

principles, it’s no surprise that ammolite is treated with respect and

to evolve the brand by exploring refined, on trend and fashion-

reverence, or that KORITE has made such an effort to protect its

forward designs for its signature KORITE jewellery. Distinctly

interests, primarily by announcing that it owns and runs the only

colourful and deeply emotive, the new direction will help grow the

legal ammonite-producing mine, the reach of which is now being

business to secure its leadership in the industry.”

extended by a huge five acres.

82 | Endeavour Magazine

With demand from 28 countries for this amazing and diverse

having stumbled upon an unusually progressive organisation,

gem, there’s no mistaking that the extra acres are needed, but

“From responsible harvest at its award winning excavation to

Canada itself is also seeing a huge increase in demand, thanks to

finished jewellery and decor statement pieces sold around the

the 150th birthday celebrations being held in 2017,

world, the company stands by quality and professional confidence

“Canadians can bring out their true colours with ammolite in

at every stage of its International operations. We have now

preparation for Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations in 2017 and

become one of the most loved and respected coloured gemstone

KORITE is proud to be the official jewellery supplier licensee for

companies, with a far-reaching signature jewellery brand.”

Canada 150. The ammolite gemstone is set in beautifully designed,

Just as ammolite can be traced back 71-million years and has

Canadian symbolic keepsakes and jewellery as a new collection of

a long and traceable history, we get the feeling that KORITE has

everyday wearable accessories. Promoting Canadian patriotism,

many more years of successful mining and design ahead of it. The

there will be 21 keepsakes to collect, set in silver plate or sterling

Canada 150 celebrations and increased mining facilities are just

925 silver.

two amazing developments to happen to KORITE in 2017 and it’s

KORITE encourages Canadians to share the ammolite keepsakes with friends and family locally and abroad to spread the message of

only just begun, so we can only imagine the stratospheric levels of success that await the team as the year progresses.

unity, independence and cultural diversity in Canada.”

It’s not a rarity to find a forward-thinking company that produces inspiring, gorgeous products, but when you couple that with a genuine commitment to environmental stewardship and a desire to make a global impression on a highly competitive marketplace through hard work and innovation, there is a sense of

Gemstones & Jewellery Online » www.pointersgroup.com

Dragon Sculptures wall hand made with Canadian Ammolite and other world gems

Providing Rare Gems and Art since 1964

Endeavour Magazine | 83

TTC: TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION WWW.TTC.CA // 001 416-393-4000

A NEW LIFELINE With a history of offering Toronto easy and reliable transportation solutions, the Toronto Transit Commission has embarked on one of its most ambitious projects yet; the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension. Endeavour Magazine took a closer look at the project, to establish how and why this will prove to be a whole new lifeline for the residents of the area.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

TTC: TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has long

been in place, overseeing the installation of reliable infrastructure and ensuring future-proofed transportation solutions, but the extent to which it is attempting to make customer satisfaction the chief priority is simply staggering.

A

longside continuously upgrading facilities, such as stations

“To encourage commuters to use the subway system, 2,900

and maintaining subway trains, a huge project has been

parking spaces are planned for various stations. Commuter parking

undertaken,

but

lots are planned at the Finch West Station with 400 spaces, Pioneer

with exceptional facilities already in place, what could Toronto

Village Station with 1,850 spaces, and Highway 407 Station with

possibly need?

563 spaces.”

which

is

now

nearing

completion,

“The Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension Project will

In an ideal world, nobody would need encouragement to take

provide a critical extension for the existing Toronto Transit

a greener, more economically sound method of transportation, but

Commission subway system across the municipal boundary

the TTC has an inherent understanding of the fact that convenience

between the City of Toronto and The Regional Municipality of York

will always win out, hence the fantastically frequent train schedule

(York Region).”

and easy access to cost-effective parking, but there is always scope

Adding an extra 8.6-km of subway line means that this is an

for further improvement.

innovative, as well as exciting, development, as this will be the very

“On opening day, trains will run every four to five minutes. As

first time that the TTC has built a rapid transit line that physically

more people use the subway, trains will be added and become

crosses the Toronto City boundary.

more frequent.”

It’s no secret that as populations grow, cities develop, expand

Naturally, the question on everyone’s lips is when will this

and need to cater to the needs of every resident and by taking the

fantastic extension be completed and ready to use, given that it

initiative to add the Line 1 extension into York Region, the TTC is

gained initial environmental approval in 2007?

committing to always being one step ahead of what the city needs.

“Service on the new extension is planned to start at the end

If only all transport infrastructure operations could take a similar

of 2017. So you can expect to catch a train northbound from the

approach! Just imagine not having to get stuck in rush hour traffic

existing Downsview Station (to be renamed Sheppard West on

on a daily basis and you’ll see that there are lessons to be learned

May 7, 2017) all the way to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre at

from this methodology.

Highway 7 and Jane Street. The new Toronto Rocket trains run

Adding six stations to the extension, customers will have easy

on the Line 1 Yonge-University subway. The TTC has replaced

access to a jumping on or off point, wherever they are located and

the entire Line 1 fleet with newer and more comfortable ‘Toronto

a planned service schedule of a train every four minutes means that

Rocket’ (TR) trains and has acquired additional TR trains for the

being late will never be an option again. If you’re thinking that it

Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension. It will take approximately

will be difficult to encourage people to use the new train services,

14 minutes to travel from the current Downsview Station (soon to

as apposed to regular cars, however, think again, as the TTC has

be Sheppard West) to the end of the line at Vaughan Metropolitan

accounted for that,

Centre (VMC) Station.”

86 | Endeavour Magazine

TTC: TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION If you’re thinking that 10 years seems like a long time to add

price tag attached. Coming in at $3.18 billion, it’s no joke to say

8.6-km, you need to think about the bigger picture. New subway

that transport infrastructure is big business, but a number of

tunnels were required and that is no small undertaking.

governments have come together to invest,

“The three main techniques used to build the subway extension

“The Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension project is jointly

are tunnel boring, ‘cut and cover’ construction and sequential

funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario,

excavation method (SEM). SEM was used to build a Double Ended

the City of Toronto and The Regional Municipality of York. The

Pocket Track Housing Structure (DEPTHS) under the Finch Hydro

Government of Canada has committed $697 million, the Province

corridor. Depending on soil conditions, an earth pressure balance

of Ontario has provided $974 million, which has been deposited

tunnel-boring machine can progress approximately 15 metres per

into the Move Ontario Trust and the City of Toronto and The

day.”

Regional Municipality of York have committed to fund one-third of

15 metres a day? No wonder this was always going to be a longterm development, but with the tunnels now finished, other aspects can be focused on, in order to bring the project to completion.

total project costs. Toronto will contribute $907 million and York Region will contribute $606 million.”

Such collaborative working is exactly why Toronto and

“Construction of the subway tunnels was completed in

outlying regions will continue to enjoy seamless transportation

November 2013. Four tunnel boring machines, Holey, Moley and

infrastructure and future-proofed accessibility solutions. The TTC

Yorkie, Torkie, drilled 6.4-km of twin tunnels. Construction work

has and will continue to rise to the needs and wants of the people

on all six new stations is well underway and you can now see the

that it serves and we look forward to observing what a positive

entrances and bus terminal structures rising above the ground.”

impact the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension project

Promising to significantly improve the lives of Toronto and

will have.

York Region residents, essentially, this is a priceless and invaluable endeavour, but as with any commercial project, there is a definitive

AECON: BUILDING A BETTER WAY For more than a century, Aecon has been a Toronto | GTA partner-of-choice for critical infrastructure builds.

Proudly meeting the complex needs of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) in the design and construction of subway tunnels, rapid transit systems, platforms, instrumentation and controls, as well as state-of-the-art stations like the new Downsview Station on the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension Project.

88 | Endeavour Magazine

Obrascon Huarte Lain (OHL) is a concessions and construction group with more than 100 years of history and an international leader in the construction of hospitals and railways. www.ohlcanada.com

FCC Construction is the infrastructure division of FCC Group, an international leader in environmental services, infrastructure and water management with over 100 years of experience. www.fccco.com

OHL & FCC have partnered together to construct the Highway 407 Station and the Northern Tunnels, as part of the Toronto York Spadina Subway Extension, for which they were awarded the â&#x20AC;&#x153;2015 Major Infrastructure (Canadian) Project of the Yearâ&#x20AC;?

Endeavour Magazine | 89

RISE BAKING COMPANY WWW.RISEBAKINGCOMPANY.COM // 001-888-444-0322

PUTTING THE CUSTOMER FIRST When it comes to creating great food, as a rule it is almost always the case that the smaller independently-run outfits steal the show. No more is this true then with delicious artisan breads, crispy bars and cookies, as any discerning consumer of such treats will soon attest.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

RISE BAKING COMPANY Local bakeries, as with most small food outlets, take

great pride in their craft and bake their goods with great attention to detail. The art of creating unique breads, crispy bars and cookies, using meticulously sourced ingredients that are then baked to perfection, is as important as the bottom line. When a bakery emerges that is a cut above the best of the rest, people talk and word spreads over social media, and before you know it the bakery in question is the talk of town. And therein lies the problem: when a local bakery achieves success, more often than not it eventually hits a wall.

A

rtisan indie-run bakeries can only spread their wings so far,

umbrella. This process started with New French Bakery in 2013,

and those that do grow and develop to the stage where they

then Best Maid Cookie Co. a year later in 2014, Hudson Baking

are bigtime, suddenly realize that while they are a national

in 2015, South Coast Baking in 2016, and then Choice Foods just

brand with branches in every city, they have lost the grassroots

this year,” explained Eric Ahlgren, Rise Baking Company’s Chief

connection to their customers that provided the foundations for

Operating Officer.

their success in the first place.

He continued, saying: “We put this platform together with the

Finding a happy medium somewhere in between being a small,

thought process that there’s a gap in the marketplace where the

nimble artisan bakery with no more than a handful of outlets

very large baking companies have lost the appropriate level of

and a giant national and international baking brand to whom

customer focus, and the small regional players haven’t got the reach

their customers are little more than numbers has proved to be a

or resources to serve national accounts. There’s an opportunity

challenge. In fact, up until recently very few brands succeeded

right in the middle where if you can create an organization with

in developing a national footprint in the US without losing that

a national scale that can remain nimble and customer-focused,

bakery-next-door stardust that made customers sit-up and take

you’re going to win in the marketplace.”

notice in the first place. That is, until Rise Baking Company found

And won they have. Today, Rise Baking Company is a

a blueprint for operating a middle-ground business model that has

manufacturer with a portfolio of delicious, high-quality products,

succeeded where many in the industry have failed.

including innovative frozen cookie dough, fully baked cookies,

The Rise Baking Company story began in 1995 when New

crispy bars and artisan breads for the in-store bakery and

French Bakery, a Minneapolis-based artisan bread baker, first

foodservice markets. It’s range of customers is no less varied,

opened its doors for business. Over the course of the 20-years that

including major national players spanning grocery, warehouse/

followed, New French Bakery captured the region’s niche artisan

club, convenience and mass merchandisers who demand business

bread market, before catching the attention of Arbor Investments

partners that are ready, able and willing to support them cross-

– a Chicago-based private equity firm that was then seeking to

functionally. With a distribution range that spans nationally across

acquire an artisan bread company of the New French Bakery mould.

the United States, in addition to a small number of international

Through this acquisition, Arbor Investments gained a foothold into

markets, it is telling that Rise Baking Company is thriving in a highly

the bakery sector – the rest, as they say, is history.

competitive marketplace that is bursting at the seams with rivals

“Rise Baking Company is a combination of 5 strategic acquisitions that have been merged under the Rise Baking Company 92 | Endeavour Magazine

and competitors.

With the backing of Arbor Investments and its considerable

RISE BAKING COMPANY resources and expertise, Rise Baking Company has gained access to

Fortunately, this process of integrating the once-separate

a strong network of food and beverage industry operators, which

component companies that now make-up Rise Baking Company,

it has leveraged to increase sales. Internal processes have been

whilst challenging, has been far from insurmountable. Rise Baking

streamlined, and they have successfully built on each of the legacy

Company’s ethos is based around the tenets of being customer-

foundations by expanding resources in areas including innovation,

focused, hard work, accountability, and passion – all values which

technology, food safety, HR, and finance. In addition, there is

align naturally with those of its original component companies.

also the US $50 million that Arbor has invested into boosting Rise

The acquisition of New French Bakery, along with Best Maid

Baking Company’s production capacity and capabilities.

Cookie Company, Hudson Baking, South Coast Baking, and Choice

The union between Rise Baking Company and its component

Foods were strategic in nature, and occurred only because Arbor

parts and Arbor Investments has undeniably been a successful one,

Investments had confidence that their cultures aligned with that of

but that isn’t to say that there haven’t been a few minor hurdles, as

Rise Baking Company. As a business landscape littered with broken

Eric pointed out:

mergers and squandered billions show, an inability to integrate

“Merging the companies together has posed its challenges,

companies can be catastrophic, and Arbor has passed on a number

which is to be expected when you have different companies and

of opportunities to acquire companies which initially looked

cultures coming together, different product portfolios, different

promising because culturally they wouldn’t fit.

computer systems, and so forth. We’ve been working to merge

The success of this ‘journey to one’ is clear for all to see, but

these elements, and unite the legacy companies and their brands

undoubtedly the key to Rise Baking Company’s rise to prominence

under the Rise Baking Company name. Rallying under the single

is attributed to its commitment to customer focus and the ability to

name and working to create a unified culture and identity; making

respond quickly to market demands.

sure that everybody is speaking the same language, whether in IT or manufacturing, and working towards the same goal.”

94 | Endeavour Magazine

“Having quality products, ensuring customer-focus, being nimble, and delivering to customers what they truly want is

essential. Today, most of the customers from the retail segment are looking for some differentiation with their products or packaging.

By working with them, we can help provide them with tailored products to meet their needs,” explained Jeff Getzkin, Senior Vice President of Sales at Rise Baking Company. He went on to say: “We promote a team culture in that our environment is ‘find a way to make it work for the customer, and then do what it takes to get it done.’ This differentiates us from our larger competitors where they have what they want to sell and that is all they have to offer.”

This product tailoring can take any number of forms, be it offering to develop labels for customer in-house, or providing different types of artisan breads using different baking methods;

We are honored to be a supplier to Rise Baking Company!

it can be offering innovative, unique flavours of cookie dough and baked cookies. The artisan bread market is continuing to grow exponentially, while even mature product lines like cookies are still seeing demand increase year-on-year. Staying innovative and flexible, and staying ahead of the pack with regards to utilizing the

Clasen Quality Chocolate is world-class manufacturer of

latest technological advancements is essential. So too, of course, is

chocolate, confectionery coatings and fillings. Our wide

creating an environment and working culture in which Rise Baking

variety of products can be used for baked goods, snack

Company’s employees feel valued, and are made central to the

mixes, nutritional bars and more!

businesses’ success.

www.clasen.us • 877.459.4500

Endeavour Magazine | 95

RISE BAKING COMPANY On this point, Eric stated: “We are a relationship-based company

Eric concluded the interview on this point, explaining: “To

where the quality of our people is just as important as the quality

support this growth, we are investing in several capital expansion/

of our products. Our environment encourages creativity, and we

improvement projects. Our Springdale, AR cookie manufacturing

value an entrepreneurial and industrious approach to work. With

facility is currently undergoing construction which will double in

over 1000+ employees across 7 manufacturing facilities we seek

both the size and capacity.

first-rate recruits to join our rapidly growing family.

We’ve nearly completed the installation of a new artisan bread

We take pride in working with creative individuals with a

line at our Minneapolis, MN Facility, guaranteeing the artisan

passion for what they do, and we’re always looking to expand our

breads that we provide stay true to the European techniques our

team. We continually seek to promote from within, over the years

customers have come to enjoy. Additionally, we’ve added robotic

we’ve invested heavily in the recruiting, selection and training of

automation and packaging lines to this facility.

our team members. In addition, we’ve made significant investments in wages and benefits to attract and retain world-class talent.”

These are exciting times for the company, which, following a fifth strategic acquisition this year and the award of several lucrative

Our most recent expansion is at our River Falls, WI facility where we are working to increase the capacity and improve efficiencies in our cookie lines as well as integrate our crispy bar manufacturing operations under one roof to maximize our workforce.”

new customer contracts, has driven Rise Baking Company to invest

Continued organic growth of Rise Baking Company will be the

heavily in expanding its facilities. Three major plant expansions

flavour of choice over the medium to long-term. But while growth

within each of the business segments are underway which will

and corporate development will continue, what is certain is that

support the growth of Rise Baking Company’s proprietary Fast Pan

the company’s commitment to delivering a superior customer

TM technology, and result in the introduction of new varieties of

experience will not waver with growth. The recipe to Rise Baking

delicious, European styled artisan breads, and allow us to expand

Company’s success is a winning one – why change it?

our variety of crispy treats that evoke home-made appeal.

96 | Endeavour Magazine

IOS SERVICES GEOSCIENTIFIQUES INC WWW.IOSGEO.COM // 001 418 698-4498

INTEGRITY. ORIGINALITY. SERVICE. The brave new world into which IOS has emerged, following the end of the worst industry downturn in living memory downtown, is a very different landscape to the one of five-years ago.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

IOS SERVICES GEOSCIENTIFIQUES INC The Canadian mining sector of 2016/17 is a game which

must be played to new rules. Not that Rejean Girard, the CEO of IOS Geoscientifiques, is in anyway concerned – he has observed first-hand the ebbs and flows of this most cyclical of industries for nearly a quarter century, and kept the company at the top, rain or shine, through the provision of service excellence and unrivalled innovation.

Djamil Benmehidi had the chance to speak to Rejean about what has been a tricky few years for IOS, and to find out more about the key to this company’s success.

Y

ou’ve got to hand it to IOS Geoservices and Rejean Girard, its longstanding CEO. Even in the depths of the unprecedented five-year downturn just gone, both man and company

managed to keep a steady hand on the tiller, so to speak. More than this, however, the company kept its head as the rest of the Canadian mining sector lost theirs.

That said, perhaps this is to be expected of a company which has forged a reputation in Quebec and beyond as one of the best explorers in the business; a company which has completed over 1,200 projects in Québec alone, and which for many years has been regarded as the gateway into Quebec for international clients looking to do business in this distinctive part of the world.

“IOS is a technical service provider to the mineral exploration industry. We are consultant, we are contractor, we are manufacturer, we are developer. And this broad offering to a specialized

Integrate images and data from multiple sources for rapid and accurate mineralogical analysis with ZEISS correlative workflows.

industry is built on a deep understanding of the industry’s need.

And this is how we get efficient,” Rejean stated, when he was asked to summarise IOS. He continued: “We customise services to the clients, who’s needs varies greatly depending if they are

Incorporate optical, electron and X-ray microscopy with automated mineralogy to link the micro and nano worlds in 2D and 3D. Correlation from ZEISS gives you the complete picture.

multinational mining company, junior companies, government

www.zeiss.com/mineralogic

their own network and knowhow, saving precious resources for

Images of a nickel sulphide ore, Fraser Mine, Canada.

Courtesy of Leicester University, UK.

100 | Endeavour Magazine

agencies, large engineering firms or simple prospectors. We act as a door in, if you will, and help companies coming into Quebec - by using us they don’t need to invest time and resources in building exploration strategies.”

IOS SERVICES GEOSCIENTIFIQUES INC Most importantly, however, IOS stands out in what is a

sector emerges from a downturn so astoundingly brutal that few

conservative industry because of one particular attribute:

are in any doubt it was the worst in generations, it is clear to see

innovation. “Be different,” Rejean smiles wryly. “If you do the same

that a price would always need to be paid for the short-termist

as everybody else, you will stay a water carrier – leave this to the

strategies aimed at infinitely expanding production; how the belief

competition. Instead, you must be perceived as a leader by your

that the Chinese miracle would continue forever was so very

clients; as somebody who can generate value for them. If you do

misplaced. That a saturated market so reliant on high commodity

things nobody else can, and demonstrate the benefits to your

prices would suffer the most terrible hangover when the music

client, you will win the run!” This is what sets IOS Services apart,

finally stopped. And so it proved.

and indeed it is this that ensured the company’s survival during the

Even for IOS Geoservices and its flamboyant CEO, Rejean

recent downturn which for half a decade relentlessly battered the

Girard – a man who having seen no fewer than four recessions

Canadian mining sector.

during his 23-years leading the company is no stranger to adversity

At the highest heights of the Chinese demand-inspired global

– the downturn proved to be a gruelling period which stretched

commodities boom during the early 2010’s period, well over

both company and man to their very limits. But IOS made it, and

1,500 mining and exploration companies called Canada home

most remarkably of all, the company has emerged out of the storm

– a figure which accounted for nearly three quarters of all such

into a position of market dominance perhaps greater than before.

mining companies in the world. Canada, as arguably the world’s

That being said, however, the landscape in which IOS finds itself is

single-most dominant mining power, was unique during this time,

a different, more competitive place with fresh opportunities and

in that it was the only G7 nation to find itself near-immune to the

new challenges.

quite devastating global financial crash that laid low the rest of the developed world.

Of course now in the cold light of day, as the Canadian mining

102 | Endeavour Magazine

“The ecosystem has profoundly changed,” Rejean stated. “There is now far less exploration companies, although the ones that remain are better capitalised and stronger. The field is now much

more competitive, so we have to move away from conventional

operate in the field without the need of a helicopter, and heat

services and built on innovative products. It’s challenging but I’m

camps at 20% of the cost of its competitors.

confident.”

Rejean explained: “During the doldrums we invested massively

Following such a painful event, and in so competitive a field as

in technology and niche product development. And it paid off. As

the one IOS currently inhabits, the default action might for many

an example, we re-engineered from scratch a technique which

be to conserve, consolidate, and painstakingly rebuild. Certainly,

looks at the dispersion of gold grains in sediment in order to trace

there is no appetite for risk. But, as is evidenced by Rejean’s bold

back the source. This technique was used successfully since about

decision making, even in the very depths of the crisis, not IOS. On

40-years ago without any improvement by the gold exploration

the contrary, the company is now beginning to capitalise on the

industry. Our technique, commercialised as ARTGold™, is seen as

investments that would made in the very depths of the crisis with

a gamechanger. We currently have about a year of work in front of

the future in mind.

us at the lab, and new contracts are piling in! Instead of competing,

Where rival lines broke in panic and disarray as equity and capital dried up, IOS held its nerve – while rivals cast away their

we just jumped to the front – we have about 10 such innovations in the pipeline.”

best employees in a desperate bid to slash operating costs, instead,

Understandably, Rejean is most optimistic about what the

IOS waited quietly in the wings to snap-up the newly available

coming years hold. As always, commercialisation of innovation will

top-talent; where others ceased all spending on R&D and new

remain at the heart of IOS Service’s development strategy over the

equipment, and instead ploughed all available resources into

coming 18-months, but as you might expect the company has a

present-time field operations, conversely, IOS invested large sums

unique approach to harnessing the advantages it brings. Rather

of capital into developing cutting-edge equipment and technologies

than go about the development of innovative new products and

like the Kaskoo-X04 all-terrain vehicle and a geothermal temporary

services with a view to implementing them for use in current

camp heating system – innovations which mean that IOS can now

projects, instead, IOS develops innovations to use as a magnet

Endeavour Magazine | 103

IOS SERVICES GEOSCIENTIFIQUES INC that will attract new projects. Innovation is a motive rather than a

built with the help of artificial intelligence, to recognize the shape

reaction, in other words – a product of the synergistic relationship

of the gold grains, and automatically classify in regard of its growth

between field and laboratory work, and R&D that exists at the

environment and deformation it suffered through dispersion. No

company.

more arbitrary classification based on technician decision.”

The biggest new trend that will emerge in the industry is

You have to give credit where it’s due to IOS – they have a

‘big data,’ in Rejean’s view. Following remarkable advances in

healthy order book, even in market conditions which remain, if not

computing technology over the past decade, tasks that were once

dire like only 12-months ago, certainly uneasy. Rejean anticipated

considered unimaginable have now become routine, and this has

that the market would begin to recover this year, and never lost

had a profound effect on the day-to-day workings of the mining

sight of the fact that even this most dreadful of market crashes

exploration sector. Geometallurgy, photonics, and 3D modelling are

would pass. “When the bubble bursts, too many companies panic

three realms in which advanced computing has become invaluable,

and lay people off. When the market was in the doldrums, this

and IOS has embraced the computer technology boom to get its

wasn’t the time to do that; because we got our affairs in good order

nose ahead in these areas.

and the machinery oiled, we are ready for the next boom!”

When asked about this, Rejean said: “In geometallurgy, almost everybody works with EDS spectrum matching to classify minerals.

Computing capacity recently leads to the release of new software which allows deconvolution of the EDS spectrum into chemical analysis in order to classify the minerals. Building on this approach, we developed a cluster and textural analysis procedure for mineral classification.

As a leading example, our ARTGold™ procedure has a routine,

104 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 105