A career forged in the field, refined in the boardroom
The ability to resolve claims and disputes effectively is not a skill developed in isolation—it’s earned through lived experience. The professionals behind TacminMadini have built careers on major infrastructure and mining projects, where risk, uncertainty, and variation were everyday challenges. Working first as contractors, then as mining operators, and eventually as project turnaround specialists, they learned early that resolution isn’t about theory—it’s about timing, facts, and commercial sense.
This background shaped a practical and proven methodology: intervene early, understand the real drivers of disputes, and build solutions around what’s deliverable on the ground—not just what’s written in the contract. Over the years, this approach has evolved into a specialised offering that now supports owners, investors, and project teams facing high-stakes disruption.
Built on a deep understanding of delivery
From the outset, TacminMadini’s experience was grounded in physically delivering projects in remote and high-risk environments. Managing infrastructure builds under tight schedules and unforgiving conditions taught the team how disputes form and escalate and, more importantly, how they can be avoided through disciplined planning and clear communication.
As operations expanded into mining, the complexity increased. Misaligned schedules, equipment constraints, cost pressures, and production targets became routine flashpoints. But instead of defaulting to contractual disputes, TacminMadini leaned into early resolution, on-the-ground negotiation, and technical re-scoping—all of which became cornerstones of its approach.
Takeaway: Our ability to manage and resolve disputes is rooted in the fact that we’ve been there before—under pressure, in the field, with real consequences.
From contractor to strategic advisor
As the industry evolved, so did our role. TacminMadini transitioned from execution partner to trusted advisor—called in to assist when projects drifted off course or relationships broke down. The same practical knowledge that once guided boots-on-ground decisions was now applied at boardroom level: assessing commercial misalignment, identifying scope uncertainty, and advising on turnaround strategy.
Whether engaged in resolving multi-party disputes, supporting project re-engineering, or drafting revised contract frameworks, our focus remains consistent—restoring certainty, protecting capital, and preserving delivery momentum.
Re-engineering and commercial clarity
At the core of our approach is a fundamental belief: disputes don’t just need to be resolved—they need to be repositioned. We don’t rely on generic claims frameworks or adversarial tactics. Instead, we assess the feasibility of delivery under current terms and, where necessary, help reshape the project.
This includes simplifying overengineered scopes, removing bottlenecks, and realigning responsibilities between owner teams and contractors. We always focus on what’s practical, achievable, and fair, ensuring the project remains viable and the stakeholders stay aligned.
Takeaway: Re-engineering is not an afterthought. It’s a proactive tool to prevent future claims, recover lost time, and restore execution discipline.
First principles estimation and shadow bidding: Resolving disputes with substance
When disputes escalate over cost, productivity, or performance, TacminMadini deploys a methodology that strips out assumptions and focuses on core inputs. Through the first principles of cost estimation, we rebuild the true cost of work based on labour, materials, plant, and measured outputs. This provides a reliable benchmark that can withstand commercial and technical scrutiny.
We complement this with shadow bidding—reconstructing tenders or rates to test the fairness and validity of claims. These models allow us to challenge inflated costs, defend fair positions, and support negotiation with data, not speculation. This method has proven essential in helping owners regain control of project finances, avoid litigation, and confidently navigate stalled contractor relationships.
Takeaway: Our first principles approach restores commercial integrity, defuses inflated claims, and accelerates resolution.
Trusted by owners, respected by contractors
Because we’ve operated on both sides of the project fence—as contractors and owner’s representatives—we understand the motivations and constraints of every party. This gives us credibility with contractors and confidence from clients. We don’t play sides; we bridge them.
This balanced approach is critical in distressed projects. We engage constructively, offer fact-based options, and lead commercial discussions that re-establish trust, transparency, and momentum.
Delivering certainty through resolution
TacminMadini doesn’t just help resolve disputes—we enable project recovery. Every claim we close, every contract we help realign, and every cost we validate is part of a more significant outcome: protecting the investment, reinstating control, and enabling delivery.
Our service is not a legal function—it’s a commercial and operational safeguard. For owners, it means clarity and capital recovery. For contractors, it’s a chance to reset and perform. For investors, it’s the assurance that their project isn’t just being debated—it’s being delivered.
Conclusion: Experience you can build on
In the world of mining and infrastructure, disputes are a certainty. What matters is how you manage them. TacminMadini brings deep, field-tested expertise, coupled with the analytical rigour of first principles modelling and the commercial realism of seasoned project delivery professionals.
When capital is at risk and time is running out, TacminMadini provides more than guidance—we provide resolution, recovery, and results. If your project faces unresolved claims, commercial disputes, or cost uncertainty, TacminMadini is the partner that turns challenges into turning points—backed by decades of experience, industry respect, and results that speak for themselves. [LinkedIn: Sarel Blaauw]
