This case study describes how the approach to managing risk can be transformed and enhanced in a company. The case study is based on a hypothetical mining company, Akawini Copper, that has recently been acquired by an international concern, United Minerals. Akawini has a rudimentary approach to risk management (RM) that must be improved if the new owners are to realize the level of return claimed in the business case that was used to justify the acquisition. Akawini owns a single mine and concentrate plant approximately 50 kilometers from the coast. It ships the concentrate using trucks to a nearby port for export. The company earns revenue of $774 million a year from the sale of concentrate and employs a total of 1,500 people at the mine site and port.

THE ACQUISITION AND DUE DILIGENCE

United Minerals has developed and implemented a framework for managing risk based on ISO 31000 (ISO 2009). In particular, this has enabled it to properly integrate the risk management process into its approach to making decisions on major projects and investment decisions and also into the way it develops, plans, and executes projects.

During due diligence prior to the acquisition, the risk management team for United Minerals reviewed the current approach to risk management at Akawini and, from a cursory examination of documents, was able to determine that the approach …