The Metals & Minerals department comprises a team of specialists with extensive expertise of all industrial minerals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
The department offers a comprehensive service for the investigation of incidents and disputes involving the production, storage, transport and maritime trade of metals, metal products (e.g. pipes, drums, coils, bars, flats, plates), and minerals on an international basis.
Scope of work
Advice on metals and minerals storage, handling &
transportation
Assessment of environmental claims
Asset evaluation
Business Interruption assessment
Cargo disposal & damage mitigation
Cargo liquefaction studies
Cargo self-heating investigation
Environmental damage studies
Environmental impact studies
Expert
witness >
Feasibility studies
Independent sampling & assaying
Investigation of cargo damage incidents
Litigation
Live
attendance >
Load & discharge surveys
Market research
Mediation in trading disputes
Minerals plant analysis
Processing capabilities
Plant design and engineering
Post incident investigations >
Process analysis and value-in-use
Rapid response advisory service
Experts & Consultants
The Metals & Minerals department was established in 1994 and has an established track record of investigations into causation, advice on quantum and mitigation as well as risk management, safety and environmental studies.
The department is headed by Caline Sahyoun, who is supported by other specialist technical, engineering and trading consultants who have direct access to analytical and testing facilities at leading laboratories.
Typical Cases
CWA has reviewed and reported on the arrangements for shipping and chartering world-wide and has been able to identify areas for substantial efficiency improvement.
CWA provides expert evidence on the technical and commercial aspects involving disputes arising from shipments of rolled coils.
CWA has been involved with the research into the root causes of self-heating of Direct Reduced Iron in the light of recurring problems in DRI shipments.
CWA has been involved in investigating business interruption (BI) incidents involving continuous process plants. CWA has reviewed the standard methodologies for ramp-up business interruption claims and evaluated the business interruption quantum for plants during start up.
CWA has investigated and advised on numerous incidents concerning the liquefaction of bulk solid cargoes including coal, iron ore fines, nickel laterite ores, and base metal concentrates.
In the light of these experiences, CWA have been involved in reviewing shipping procedures.
CWA has frequently advised on the treatment of a comprehensive range of contaminated cargoes and undertaken forensic analysis of the causes of contamination, often with support on the commercial front by assisting in disposing off-specification cargoes.
CWA provides expertise on the effects of long term storage of mineral concentrates required by, for example, the grounding of a bulk carrier which necessitated length repairs.
CWA was directed to inspect a cargo of potash which, on arrival showed evidence of water ingress. CWA was involved in the loss mitigation and arranged for the material to be treated locally.
CWA regularly provides expert advice either in situ or post incident for disputes arising during international maritime trade
Cargoes
The group provides expertise in all metals and mineral materials shipped worldwide.