Pathfinder recently completed a highly impactful contracting strategy workshop for a major Rare Earth Element mining project. This ambitious project includes several large-scale components beyond the mine and refinery itself, such as power infrastructure, site development, and product offloading facilities. Each of these components represents investments exceeding a billion dollars, making clear planning and coordination essential to the project’s success.
With time being a critical factor, Pathfinder facilitated a focused three-day workshop designed to accelerate progress and strengthen the project’s foundation. During the session, the team worked with company representatives to refine the business case, define and document the full project scope through a detailed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and explore multiple contracting alternatives to determine the most effective approach.
As a result of this structured collaboration, a primary “Plan A” contracting strategy was selected, along with “Plan B” and “Plan C” contingency options to ensure flexibility as the project advances. The implementation of Plan A is already underway, with Pathfinder supporting the development of contractor pre-screening processes, Requests for Proposals, contract documentation, and selection criteria.
This workshop exemplifies Pathfinder’s ability to bring clarity, structure, and momentum to large, complex projects. By combining deep industry expertise with a methodical and collaborative approach, Pathfinder once again demonstrated its value in helping clients move from planning to execution with confidence.
