Projects
Case studies
Services
Varennes Carbon Recycling (VCR)
Quebec, Canada
The Varennes Carbon Recycling (VCR) plant will convert non-recyclable waste into energy through production of biofuel from waste, residual biomass, and green hydrogen.
Techne Mandate:
Techne was engaged to augment the VCR’s owner team to provide leadership in project controls, procurement, contracts, and quality assurance for both the Biorefinery and Electrolyser projects in the VCR Portfolio. Value delivered includes improved processes, procedures, methodologies, and mentorship of their personnel to strengthen in-house capabilities.
Following the initial engagement, Techne was also engaged to provide talent extension resources to the owner team including a project controls manager, planner, and cost controller for the Electroyzer, as well as a project procurement manager and buyer for the Biorefinery. Dispute resolution consultancy services were also provided.
Rochester Mine Expansion
Nevada, USA
A major open-pit silver-gold operation that commenced operations in 1986. The mine’s significant expansion project features a heap leach, Merrill-Crowe process plant, crushing circuit, and related infrastructure. It is expected to extend the mine’s lifespan by approximately 13 years.
Techne Mandate:
Techne PMC was engaged to deliver comprehensive project controls leadership for a significant expansion of the Rochester Mine. Techne’s specialized expertise ensured effective leadership of a skilled team of planners, cost controllers, and estimators, overseeing all aspects of project controls from detailed design through to construction, driving efficient progress and cost management across each phase.
Rincon Lithium Project
Argentina
Situated in the core of Argentina’s renowned ‘lithium triangle,’ Rincon is poised to become a significant supplier of swiftly generated, top-notch lithium, serving the global energy transition with excellence.
Techne Mandate :
As part of RT’s stage-gate process, Techne was engaged to conduct an independent audit of the project’s cost forecast prepared by an engineering consultant. Techne delivered an assessment of the forecast’s accuracy and robustness and performed a root cause analysis to identify factors driving the increase in projected capital costs
Whabouchi Lithium Mine and Becancour Lithium Hydroxide Conversion Facility
Quebec, Canada
Nemaska Lithium plays a crucial role in advancing the North American battery sector and producing top-tier lithium hydroxide. It stands out as one of the most sustainable global initiatives, driven by clean, renewable energy sources.
Techne Mandate:
Techne was engaged to support Nemaska’s stage-gate process, which included conducting third party-reviews of the estimates and schedules developed by Nemaska’s engineering consultants for the conversion facility and the mine.
Following these reviews, Techne was engaged to develop the bottom-up definitive estimate for the Whabouchi Mine, working closely with the client’s engineering consultant.
Alma Aluminum Cast Centre Expansion
(CBA Billets Plant)
Quebec, Canada
Rio Tinto has commenced construction to enhance its capacity for casting low-carbon, high-value aluminum billets by 202,000 metric tonnes. The project involves expanding the existing casting center and incorporating new state-of-the-art equipment, such as furnaces, a casting pit, coolers, handling systems, inspection facilities, and sawing and packaging systems.
Techne Mandate:
The pre-pandemic project cost estimate required updating to bring confidence as the project moves forward. Techne was engaged to apply our comprehensive understanding of COVID-19 impacts and evolving market conditions, producing a current, definitive estimate that enhanced cost certainty for the project owner. Following this, the owner conducted a value engineering exercise to optimize project value and Techne integrated the resulting efficiencies into an updated estimate, further reinforcing confidence in the project cost.
Modernization of Centrale Isle Maligne Hydroelectric Facility
Quebec, Canada
Modernization project on a 95-year-old hydroelectric generating station, including turbine generator replacement.
Techne Mandate:
Techne was engaged to assist the client owner team in two key areas:
- Development of the feasibility study estimate in collaboration with Rio Tinto’s engineering services provider
- Leadership of master planning, in collaboration with client’s engineering services provider, construction contractors, and major equipment vendors.
Techne was also retained for further support in planning and project controls during project execution.
Jadar Lithium-Borate Project
Serbia
The Jadar project, currently in development phases, would be one of the largest greenfield lithium projects in the world with capacity to produce approximately 58,000 tons of lithium carbonate, 286,000 tons of boric acid and 255,000 tons of sodium sulfate annually, with a mine life of 40 years.
Techne Mandate:
The Jadar project has been under exploration and development for over 20 years. As the project positions for execution, and as part of Rio Tinto’s stage-gate process, Techne was engaged to provide a third-party independent assessment of the feasibility study estimate. The outcome brought further confidence to the owner in the robustness of the estimate.
Hydro Quebec Action Plan 2035
Quebec, Canada
Hydro‑Québec’s Action Plan 2035 aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet expected growth in electricity demand through a large portfolio of projects to enhance the power grid.
Techne Mandate:
Techne was engaged to conduct a preliminary analysis of the construction resources requirement for 2035 expansion program. Following this assessment, Techne was retained to conduct a portfolio-level master schedule to improve the robustness of construction resources requirements for Plan 2035.
Elysis
Quebec, Canada
A partnership of two major aluminium industry pioneers – Alcoa and Rio Tinto – to advance the scale-up and commercialization of ELYSIS technology, while eliminates all direct greenhouse gas emissions from the aluminium smelting process
Techne Mandate:
Techne was engaged as an extension of the owner team to develop and maintain the master schedule for execution of the project.