Money of Mine Booms, Busts & Billion-Dollar Builds (Zimi Meka)
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Aug 12, 2025 Zimi Meka, co-founder and CEO of Ausenco, dives into the thrilling world of mining engineering. He shares hair-raising tales from explosive-laden Laos to the wild jungles of Tanzania and Zambia. Zimi discusses the rollercoaster ride of market fluctuations, overcoming challenges in remote locations, and the significance of innovative technologies in mining. He emphasizes the impact of strategic shifts in operations and the essential balance between engineering excellence and financial viability. Expect laughter and valuable insights from this veteran in the mining industry!
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Runaway Growth And Cultural Strain
- Ausenco ballooned from ~200 to 4,500 people during the supercycle.
- Zimi Meka says that scale outpaced control and worsened the unwind.
Strategic Americas Push Via Acquisitions
- Ausenco bought firms to secure a technical foothold and scale in the Americas.
- Zimi Meka credits ~A$250m of 2008 acquisitions for opening its Chile/Peru pipeline.
Starting Small In A Recession
- Zimi Meka started Ausenco at 31 from an empty Toowong office during a deep recession.
- He remembers answering the phone while his wife asked him to bring bread home.