Mining Industry Case Study: Cost-Benefit Analysis

Business Challenge

The mining industry client was facing challenges in identifying the most cost-effective blend of counter-measures to save themselves from a potential loss in the coal production category.

About the Client

One of the fastest growing mining industry firms, employing over 1500 professionals across various economies. Their main objective is to enhance value for stakeholders by discovering, acquiring, developing, producing, and marketing mineral resources profitably, especially in the segment dealing with coal production.

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Engagement Overview

A leading firm in the mining industry, specializing in the coal production category, was looking at developing a cost model for realistic apportionment of costs incurred for each product and sub-products that are part of the operation. To do so and to enhance business efficiency, the client approached SpendEdge to help them leverage cost benefit analysis based solutions. A detailed quantitative analysis of various cost factors within the supply chain network was carried out to identify the indirect and direct spend categories.

Benefits of the Engagement

The cost benefit analysis engagement helped the mining industry client tounderstand the economic impact of inappropriate business decisions. The developed cost benefit analysis model helped them control indirect costs and save themselves from a potential loss. Our cost benefit analysis experts worked as an extension of the firm to uncover major opportunities for improving their sourcing strategies by controlling indirect and direct spend.

Importance of Cost BenefitAnalysis in Procurement

Whatever is the size of your organization, it is essential to analyze cost and inventories. Moreover, as businesses become larger, their sourcing needs become more complex, making it a necessity to analyze maverick spend, delivery times, and cost elements across the supply chain. Cost benefit analysis also helps firms to make the best use of their suppliers and their capabilities.

Moreover, as procurement increasingly shifts focus from profit margin expansion to that of a strategic enabler of business growth, procurement leaders can maximize benefits by leveraging cost benefit analysis and making appropriate business decisions on sourcing strategies.

Our Findings

Procurement, being an essential aspect of your business, is necessary to undertake cost benefit analysis to ensure you make the best use of your hard-earned money. Leading mining industry players are now looking at employing cost benefit analysis to deliver breakthrough business value.

Every business decision today is greatly impacted by cost benefit analysis. Such is the importance of cost benefit analysis in identifying business risks and analyzing spend categories. However, it is up to the individual firm to decide and incorporate this capability failing which you run the risk of wasting valuable time and money by taking on unprofitable tasks.

Explain the process of cost-benefit analysis

Identify and Define the Project or Decision:
Begin by clearly defining the scope and objectives of the project or decision under consideration. Clearly articulate what is to be achieved and the alternatives that are available. This step is crucial in establishing the boundaries of the analysis and ensuring that all relevant costs and benefits are considered.

Identify Costs and Benefits:
In this step, enumerate and quantify all the relevant costs and benefits associated with the project or decision. Costs can include direct expenses such as initial investment, operational costs, maintenance, and disposal costs. Benefits may encompass revenue generation, cost savings, and intangible benefits like improved quality of life or environmental conservation. Both tangible and intangible factors should be considered.

Assign Monetary Values:
Convert all identified costs and benefits into monetary terms. This step involves assigning a dollar value to each cost and benefit, which may require estimating future cash flows and adjusting for factors such as inflation. This process enables a more straightforward comparison of diverse elements in the analysis. It’s important to use a consistent approach and be transparent about the assumptions made in assigning values.

Discount Cash Flows:
Future costs and benefits are typically discounted to present value to account for the time value of money. This is crucial because a dollar received or spent in the future is not equivalent to a dollar today. Discounting allows for a fair comparison of costs and benefits occurring at different points in time. The discount rate used should reflect the opportunity cost of capital or the rate of return expected on alternative investments.

Conduct the Cost-Benefit Comparison:
Compare the total present value of costs with the total present value of benefits. If the benefits outweigh the costs, the project or decision is considered economically viable. However, it’s essential to interpret the results in the context of the specific goals and constraints of the decision-maker. Sensitivity analysis can be conducted to assess how changes in key assumptions or variables may impact the results.

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