Customized solutions for evolving mining, minerals, and metals markets
With specialized product characteristics and logistics needs, mined commodities are particularly exposed to transportation and logistics costs. This is because logistics frequently makes up a significant – often majority – portion of the delivered sale price. While this can present some risk for mined commodity businesses, for PLG Consulting clients, it actually represents an opportunity to turn logistics into a competitive advantage.
PLG has extensive project experience with long-established mined commodities including frac sand, industrial sand, soda ash, limestone, thermal and metallurgical coal. In addition, PLG has been at the forefront of supply chain development for energy transition minerals, key materials essential for the low carbon transportation and generation technologies of the future. Those minerals and metals include copper, lithium, nickel, manganese, cobalt, graphite, and zinc.
How we help
Logistics, transportation, and material handling from the source: PLG’s operations and engineering expertise have come together at multiple mining and processing sites where the need for optimized cost and efficiency of handling have been key drivers in profitable production.
In addition, PLG know-how in logistics procurement and distribution network optimization has helped numerous shipper clients in determining optimal locations and configurations for loadout, product storage, and multi-modal transloading.
These services have become especially important for emerging clean energy technologies such as EV and grid storage batteries, where the supply chains are still being invented and critical decisions such as where to locate capital-intensive processing facilities will help determine long-term market competitiveness. PLG Consulting is at the forefront of the green energy and renewables emergence. We help emerging technologies come to life by mapping out a business strategy for your supply chain and logistics that supports your business goals.
PLG Consulting brings long-term solutions to your mining, minerals, and metals logistics.
Email us for a free custom consultation.
Supplying breakthrough insights
Mining, minerals, and metals logistics bring unique challenges including asset and infrastructure intensity, specialized handling equipment, changing units of measure across the supply chain, owned or leased assets (railcars, trailers, ships, barges) and complex freight negotiations.
We understand how the supply chain for mined commodities must be efficiently and cost-optimally integrated from mine mouth to processing to distribution and finished product delivery. You can rely on PLG Consulting to help ensure your logistics are best-in-class among your competition and also fully support your business and commercial objectives within your target markets.
Mining, minerals, and metals logistics and supply chain services:
Comprehensive logistics assessments that deliver operational and cost-reduction opportunities
Material handling systems
Transportation procurement negotiations
Sales and operations planning (S&OP) implementation
Network optimization and logistics network analysis
Technology (TMS, WMS) needs assessment, selection, and implementation
Site selection for raw material supply, processing, and terminaling/distribution locations
Competitive access/mode and carrier competition
Rail and marine facility design and operations planning
Vertical supply chain integration for product end-users
Project Examples
Major metallurgical coal producer implements business continuity strategies to accommodate +50% volume increase while identifying $40 million annual cost savings
A major metallurgical coal producer near the US Gulf Coast supplying a high-quality, high-value met coal for the world market at nearly eight million short tons annually had slated a new mine operation for development that...
Midwest-based operator of metals service centers invested in US road freight analysis to help improve service levels and market competitiveness while reducing costs
A large Midwest-based operator of metals service centers with over 14 facilities was seeking a solution for ongoing service concerns and high freight costs for their clients within the aerospace, automotive, chemical processing, consumer products, construction,...
Top 20 private debt firm weighs long-term viability of public frac sand companies
PLG helped a private debt firm evaluate the long-term viability of public frac sand companies. Our experts profiled significant frac sand plants, analyzed value-add capabilities, and delineated cost by shale play. PLG delivered a clear strategy...
Fact-based evidence improves frac sand trucking carrier’s market penetration
A leading frac sand trucking carrier in shale plays sought to better define its advantages in a rapidly changing market. PLG provided objective benchmarking of client’s solutions vs. competitors, quantitative “last mile” comparison of different delivery...
Self-sourcing strategy for frac sand sourcing saves over $40MM for E&P
This leading exploration company engaged PLG to develop a strategy for vertical integration of frac sand supply to drilling areas in Texas and Louisiana, driving tens of millions of dollars to the bottom line. PLG provided...
International chemical group enhances data to drive smart business decisions
PLG helped an advanced materials and specialty chemicals company to develop and implement a rail management system which increased data quality, helped with rail fleet sizing processes and tools, and developed a product storage approach that...
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