with the support of Ausenco, GPR Dehler, HSBC & Outokumpu

If the massive wave of consolidation that swept over us has done one thing, it is highlight the resourcefulness the ilk of Kagara Zinc and Consolidated Minerals in succeeding. Robinson and Kiernan forged their companies in the tough times with opportunities that were nearly invisible to others. Robinson brought an Eastern Goldfields operator’s savvy to zinc by spotting the potential to truck to a central mill at Mt Garnet and then building a lean plant ($43m) to get the cashflow rolling - before contemplating growth. Kiernan resurrected a shattered Valiant Consolidated Resources when his trucking company emerged as a major creditor.

Both were founded in the hardest of times and are now catching the eye of a market that is gaining pace by the day. Both operate in commodities traditionally the preserve of the majors. Robinson’s Kagara kicked off in February producing zinc at a cash cost of US20c/lb at a time when the established producers have just about lost circulation. If his ambitions are fulfilled, Kagara could grow to a 300,000 tpa cons producer in three years and join the top 10. Kiernan’s Consolidated Minerals recently gained some spice to its manganese and chromite production when the market realised its strong exposure to the booming Chinese minerals market. Then along came Andrew Forrest with a characteristically ambitious plan in his Fortesque Metal Group to build a $1.5bn railway and port. The proposal gives credence to isolated iron ore assets that will also happily find markets in China should it get lift off. The market is appreciative valuing them both at around $140-150m. They are enterprises built from the ground up. Not to be missed. RSVP Tuesday prior - Booking Form below and 'back' on SMC home page