The MSA Group

What The MSA Group does

The MSA Group is an independent technical consultancy providing geology, exploration, mineral resource and reserve estimation, mining, environmental and corporate-advisory services to the international mining industry. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, the firm was founded in 1986 and operates across 50+ countries on five continents, with wholly-owned subsidiaries in South Africa and the UK and joint-venture entities in Kazakhstan (MSA Minerals Consulting Ltd), Egypt (MSA-Gold Pyramid Group) and additional partnership-led presence in Türkiye, Angola, the DRC and the Americas. The service portfolio covers the full mining lifecycle — from targeting, exploration programme management and Mineral Resource estimation through scoping/Preliminary Economic Assessment, feasibility studies, mine optimisation, technical due diligence, valuations, public reporting on TSX/ASX/LSE-AIM/JSE, and mine closure and environmental services — with a multidisciplinary team of geologists, mining engineers, metallurgical engineers, environmental specialists, geohydrologists and geotechnical experts experienced across 30+ commodities. Technology is anchored by ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001-certified processes, complemented by a partnership with Canadian firm Koan Analytics that provides a machine-learning platform for spatial-correlation ore-body targeting.

The go-to-market is sales-led and professional-services-based, serving Major Mining Companies, Junior Explorers and Miners, Private Equity Funds, Sovereign Wealth funds, State Owned Enterprises and Traders through direct engagement. Revenue is generated through project-based, quote-driven consulting mandates spanning exploration programme contracting, Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimation, public-reporting sign-off, scoping/PEA, feasibility and due diligence work. Customer relationships are typically multi-year and project-anchored (e.g., Ma'aden, Alphamin Resources, West African Minerals, Blackthorn Resources, Tharisa PLC), supported by a Public Documents portal that provides transparent access to technical reports prepared for international stock exchanges. Distribution is via direct professional services delivery combined with regional sub-brands (MSA Arabia, MSA-Türkiye, MSA South & South East Asia, MSA North and South America) and 20+ environmental provider partners, enabling localised service in jurisdictions where Western consultancies face logistical and regulatory barriers.

Name

The MSA Group

Legal name

The MSA Group Proprietary Limited

Website

https://msagroupservices.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The MSA Group is an independent South African mining technical consultancy providing exploration, geology, Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies, environmental and corporate-advisory services to major miners, juniors, PE/sovereign wealth funds and SOEs across 50+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mining Technical Consulting Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114), Support Activities for Mining (2131)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Mine Development & Processing EPC (Critical Minerals) (IMAKAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mine Infrastructure & Utilities EPC (Power, Water, Comms, Camps, Roads, Airstrips) (IMAKAOAB)

Keywords

• Mining consulting services
• Geological exploration services
• Mineral resource estimation
• Mining feasibility studies
• Environmental mining consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Mining Technical Consulting Services: Professional consulting services spanning the entire mining life cycle including exploration project management, Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimation, public reporting, valuations, scoping/PEA studies and feasibility studies, mine optimisation and mine closure.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The MSA Group is an independent technical consultancy providing geology, exploration, mineral resource, mining studies, environmental, and corporate advisory consulting services to the international mining industry. Its services span the entire mining life cycle—from targeting and initial assessment through turn-key exploration project management, Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimation, public reporting, valuations, scoping/PEA studies, feasibility studies, mine optimisation and mine closure—covering 30+ commodities across 5 continents and 50+ countries.

Product overview

The MSA Group is an independent technical consultancy providing a comprehensive suite of mining lifecycle services. The core offering consists of five main service lines: Exploration and Geology, Mineral Resources, Mining Studies, Environmental, and Corporate Advisory. These are delivered through the company's head office in Johannesburg, South Africa, and through multiple regional sub-brands including MSA South Africa, MSA Mining Consulting UK, MSA Minerals Consulting (Kazakhstan), MSA-GPG (Egypt), MSA Arabia, MSA-Türkiye, MSA South and South East Asia, and MSA North and South America. The company also provides a Public Documents Portal for accessing technical reports prepared for international stock exchanges. The portfolio covers the full mining lifecycle from targeting and initial assessment through turn-key exploration project management, mineral resource estimation, public reporting, valuations, scoping/PEA studies, feasibility studies, mine optimisation and mine closure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MSA - Minerals Consulting: Kazakhstan-registered mining consultancy offering exploration, geology, mineral resource, mining and environmental consulting services in Central Asia.
• MSA - GPG (Gold Pyramid Group)
• MSA - Mining Consulting UK
• MSA - South Africa

Products and services

• Exploration and Geology Industry-leading geological teams providing contracting and consulting services to advance minerals exploration objectives, including field-based exploration geologists and competent persons for program oversight across all major commodities and mineralisation styles. For mining and exploration companies needing expert geological input.
• Mineral Resources Highly skilled Mineral Resource geologists with experience in both exploration and mining environments, providing three-dimensional geological modelling, grade estimation using geostatistical techniques, and public reporting to all major international mining stock exchanges (TSX, ASX, LSE/AIM, JSE). For mining companies needing Competent Person sign-off and defensible resource estimates.
• Mining Studies Multi-disciplinary mining specialists providing integrated techno-economic studies including scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, due diligence reviews, risk assessments, reserve estimations, financial modelling and mineral asset valuations. For mining companies and investors requiring defensible technical-economic evaluation of mineral projects.
• Environmental Integrated and practical environmental solutions for mining, infrastructure, and energy clients, including environmental compliance and permitting, risk and liability auditing, mine closure and rehabilitation, water/air quality management, and ESG services. For mining and infrastructure operators needing environmental risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Corporate Advisory Services helping lenders, mining companies, corporate advisors, investors and other clients make informed business and investment decisions through due diligence studies, mineral asset valuations, and independent technical and public reports across multiple commodities and jurisdictions. For investors, lenders, and corporate decision-makers evaluating mining assets.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 mineral resource projects completed in the last 8 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Koan Analytics (Canada)coreTechnology or IntegrationMSA has partnered with Canadian company Koan Analytics who provide a machine-learning platform that enables the ingesting and interrogation of vast datasets such that spatial correlations can be identified that facilitate the targeting of ore bodies. MSA is Koan's global technical partner, providing geological inputs to leverage extensive understanding of ore genesis controls into the machine-learning environment.
• GeoAtlânticous (Angola)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership in Angola enabling MSA to operate extensive programs in the country and benefit from full logistical, administrative and operational support.
• Fraser Alexander (DRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership in the DRC enabling MSA to operate extensive programs and evaluate tailings re-mining projects in South, Central and North America.
• Minerals Operating Ltd (Kazakhstan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between MSA and established Kazakhstan Mining Services company to provide high-quality technical consulting services in Central Asia by combining experienced international consultants with Kazakh geologists that have in-depth knowledge of the regional mining industry.
• Gold Pyramid Group (Egypt)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSA-Gold Pyramid Group (MSAGPG) partnership offering exploration, geology, mineral resource, mining and environmental consulting services in Egypt and North Africa. GPG was founded in 2016 and is the leading geological services provider in Egypt.
• EGEMAD (Türkiye)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEGEMAD was established in Ankara, Türkiye in 2004 and provides effective project management and wide range of engineering solutions to mining clients.
• ALMINA (Türkiye)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerALMINA was established in Türkiye in 2012 and specializes in providing a broad range of geological consulting and field services to the natural resources sector.
• 20+ Leading Environmental ProvidersminorOthersMSA Environmental maintains strategic partnerships with over 20 leading environmental providers in several jurisdictions across the globe to ensure delivery of high-quality, localised service.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CSA Global (ERM): International mining consultancy providing resource geology, geometallurgy, mining engineering and corporate advisory services, now part of ERM. Directly comparable to MSA across Competent Person services and feasibility work.
• Snowden Optiro: Specialist mining consultancy focused on mineral resource estimation, geostatistics and mining studies. Direct competitor for technical sign-off and resource work MSA provides.
• Behre Dolbear Group: Boutique mining consultancy focused on due diligence, mineral asset valuation and independent technical reviews for mining companies and financial institutions. Overlaps with MSA's Corporate Advisory line.
• AMC Consultants: Independent mining consultancy delivering geology, mine engineering, due diligence and project management services. Highly comparable service mix and target client base to MSA.
• Wardell Armstrong International: Independent mining and minerals consultancy providing resource estimation, mine planning, feasibility and environmental services. Direct peer in technical consulting to mining clients.
• SLR Consulting (Roscoe Postle Associates): Global advisory firm with a strong mining practice (formerly RPA) offering mineral resource and reserve estimation, due diligence and technical studies. Overlaps directly with MSA's Mineral Resources and Mining Studies lines.
• SRK Consulting: Global independent mining consultancy offering resource estimation, exploration, mine design, due diligence and environmental services. Closest direct competitor to MSA by service mix, multi-commodity coverage and independent positioning.

Broad incumbents

• WSP Global (Mining): Global professional services firm with a substantial mining and earth sciences practice (incorporating Golder). Larger, broader-scope competitor that can deliver integrated engineering, environmental and social services that exceed MSA's standalone offering.
• Tetra Tech (Coffey Mining): International consulting and engineering firm with a mining practice. Broad incumbent that competes with MSA on multi-disciplinary mining and environmental mandates, particularly for major and PE-backed clients.
• Wood plc (Mining): Global engineering and consulting firm with mining studies and mineral processing capabilities. Competes with MSA in feasibility studies and EPC-adjacent consulting for mining clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheMSAGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/themsagroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-msa-group

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The MSA Group