BULK & MINING LOGISTICS
INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT

SERVICES

Logistics and Supply Chain cost estimates for bulk & mining projects

- Logistics studies
- Export studies
- Peer reviews
- Due diligence

Rusu Consulting provide assessments and analyse various transportation options on rail, road, sea, overland conveyors or slurry pipe for new or existing mining projects.

We design reliable operational plans and estimate the total logistics costs from the mine to the loading / unloading port using road and/or rail around Australia and worldwide.

Geographically, we provide the full range of services for any project and location internationally as we have a strong network of worldwide connections within the rail, road and sea transport industries.

Bulk & Mining supply chain optimisation

Rusu Consulting assess, evaluate and optimise existing mining supply chains in order to achieve lean but robust operational parameters.

We negotiate on behalf of our customers haulage contracts, prepare tenders and offer procurement assistance.

We provide independent due diligence review of the logistical parameters in existing or proposed bulk logistics operations.

We provide peer reviews of logistics studies performed by third parties.

Transition to green bulk supply chains

The global supply chains account for 80% of planet's carbon emissions (Bloomberg - Oct 2021).

As the transition to sustainable supply chains becomes a necessity, the mining, quarrying and other industries with large bulk outputs are challenged by the implementation of green policies.

We can assist you in choosing the right timing, right assets and the level of green policy implementation so the transition is as smooth as possible, balancing the cost - benefit equation and minimising the CAPEX and OPEX.

Traffic studies and surveys

Rusu Consulting performs traffic studies with the aim to assess the viability of any proposed road operation.

We own and operate 2 TMS-SA4 traffic counters (radars) with an autonomy of up to 3 weeks in any location.

The primary objectives of our road traffic studies include:

Traffic Volume Analysis: Gathering data on the number of vehicles using the roads, including peak and off-peak hours, to understand traffic patterns and determine the level of congestion.
Traffic Flow Analysis: Examining the movement of vehicles on the road network, including intersections, bottlenecks, and road segments, to identify areas of congestion, potential conflicts, and operational issues.

SERVICES

ABOUT

Rusu Consulting Independent Bulk Logistics Consultant (previously trading as URB Mining Logistics Consulting) is offering transport options assessments and reliable estimates for the movement of bulk products, ores and/or concentrates from the proposed mine sites to the proposed loading port and further to the destination port.

During such logistics studies Rusu Consulting may investigate rail, road, barging, sea and hybrid options for both outbound and inbound flows.

The business's owner: Mirel Rusu, holds a Logistics and Supply Chain Management Master Degree (Adelaide), as well as a Master Degree in International Studies (Adelaide) and a Graduate Diploma Degree in Economics (Bucharest) and has spent more than ten years in mining supply chains & logistics.

Mirel published articles in the Dry Bulk Magazine, Mining Magazine and the South Australian Mines and Energy Journal and presents frequently to mining and logistics forums and conferences around the world.

Covid 19 update - Rusu Consulting staff is fully vaccinated.

2008

Year Established

50+

Projects Completed

100+

Workshop

attendees

5

Continents

Case Study 1: Optimising Road Logistics for Agincourt Resources in Sumatra, Indonesia (Year: 2023)

Mining Logistics case study keywords: Gold, Lime & Limestone, Road transport, Storage, Traffic survey, Electric trucks vs diesel trucks cost-benefit comparison

Challenge: The gold mine operated by Agincourt Resources in Sumatra, Indonesia, found an alternative source for lime and limestone within 100 km of the mine site and lacked in-house logistics knowledge to understand the costs and operational challenges of a road logistics operation in a challenging logistics environment, mostly related to the traffic intensity and the quality of road infrastructure.

Objective: Assessment of the optimal road itinerary, optimal road assets, estimated operational parameters, road assets replacement schedule, estimated Capex and Opex for setting up a road logistics operation, and a cost-benefit assessment of the potential use of electric trucks versus diesel trucks.

Approach:

Conducted a comprehensive audit of current road transportation conditions, including road traffic surveys on three different locations on the potential routes using Rusu Consulting’s digital traffic counters, and visual inspection of the road infrastructure status.
Analysed the various road transportation routes utilising the results of the traffic surveys, to assess traffic flows by day, hour, type of vehicle, and average speeds, and set up a robust operational plan.
Explored the possibility of alternative road transport assets, such as electric trucks versus diesel trucks, and highlighted the cost, operability, traffic impact (noise, pollution), acquisition and operational costs, to optimise logistics operations, within an environmentally aware paradigm.
Developed a logistics strategy that included route optimisation, optimal road asset selection, road assets replacement schedule, and robust road operational rostering schedule.

Results and Conclusion: Rusu Consulting delivered detailed mining logistics studies spanning 76 pages, which included a peer review and a logistics study at the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) level. The studies addressed all objectives, providing estimates for Capex and Opex costs, road operational planning, road asset replacement schedule, potential acquisition strategies, and recommendations for future steps. The study was received very well, and as far as I know, the implementation is underway.

Case Study 2: DFS level Logistics Study for Global Lithium in Western Australia, Australia (Year: 2023-24)

Mining Logistics case study keywords: Lithium spodumene, Road transport, Rail transport, Storage, Shipping, Bulk vs Bulk containers vs GP containers cost-benefit comparison, Port facilities

Challenge: Global Lithium sought to develop the Manna project in Western Australia but lacked in-house logistics knowledge to understand the costs and operational challenges of a road or hybrid road/rail logistics operation in a challenging logistics competitive environment, primarily related to rail capacity and port(s) storage and shiploading facilities and abilities.

Objective: DFS level assessment of the optimal road or road + rail itinerary, optimal road and/or rail, loading and packing assets, necessary road and rail infrastructure requirements, estimated operational parameters, estimated Capex and Opex for setting up a road or road + rail logistics operation, and a cost-benefit assessment of the own logistics operation vs using the service providers' operation.

Approach:

Conducted a comprehensive audit of current road and rail transportation conditions, including visual inspection of the road, rail, and rail terminals in Kalgoorlie, Esperance, and Kwinana, and at Esperance and Kwinana Ports, the storage, and shiploading assets and infrastructure status.
Analysed the various road and road + rail transportation routes, chose the optimal route, and set up a robust operational plan.
Explored the possibility of using own operator road + rail fleet versus the service providers' assets, acquisition and operational costs to optimise logistics road, rail, and port operations, with an eco-conscious approach.
Developed a logistics strategy that included route optimisation, optimal road and rail asset selection, port storage development strategies, and shipping in bulk vs the containerised option.

Results and Conclusion: Rusu Consulting delivered a detailed mining logistics study at the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) level. The studies addressed all objectives, providing estimates for Capex and Opex costs, loading and packing, road, rail, and port operational planning, potential acquisition strategies, and recommendations for future steps. The study was received very well, and the project development remains highly dependent on the international market demand for lithium. The logistics study was (initially) part of the DFS prepared by Wave International.

Case Study 3: DFS level Logistics Study for TiGa Minerals and Metals in New Zealand, (Year: 2022)

Mining Logistics case study keywords: Mineral Sands, Road transport, Rail transport, Storage, Road, Rail, and Port logistics constraints, Shipping, Bulk vs Bulk containers vs GP containers cost-benefit comparison, Port facilities

Challenge: TiGa Minerals and Metals sought to develop the Barrytown project in the Southern Island of New Zealand but lacked in-house logistics knowledge to understand the costs and operational challenges of a road or hybrid road/rail logistics operation in a challenging logistics competitive environment, primarily related to rail capacity, rail infrastructure limitations, port(s) storage and shiploading facilities.

Objective: DFS level assessment of the optimal road or road + rail itinerary, optimal road and/or rail, loading and packing assets, necessary storage, loading, packing, road and rail infrastructure requirements, international shipping port capabilities, estimated operational parameters, estimated Capex and Opex for setting up a road or road + rail logistics operation, and a cost-benefit assessment of the own logistics operation vs using the service providers' operation.

Approach:

Conducted a comprehensive audit of current road and rail transportation conditions, including visual inspection of the roads and rail terminals in Rapahoe, Lyttelton, and Timaru, and at Greymouth, Westport, Lyttleton, and Timaru Ports, the storage, and shiploading assets and infrastructure status.
Analysed the various road and road + rail transportation routes, chose the optimal route, and set up a robust operational plan.
Explored the possibility of using own operator road fleet versus the service providers' assets, acquisition and operational costs to optimise logistics road, rail, and port operations, with an eco-conscious approach.
Developed a logistics strategy that included route optimisation, optimal road and rail asset selection, port storage development strategies, and shipping in bulk vs bulk containers vs the GP containerised option.

Results and Conclusion: Rusu Consulting delivered a detailed mining logistics study at the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) level. The studies addressed all objectives, providing estimates for Capex and Opex costs, loading and packing, road, rail, and port operational planning, potential acquisition strategies, and recommendations for future steps. The study was received very well, and the project is developing at a rapid pace. The logistics study was part of the DFS prepared by Palaris Australia.