SIMPEC is to supply and install the electrical, instrumentation and communication works for the Solomon Central Facilities Workshop Yard at Fortescue Metals Group’s Solomon Hub iron ore operations in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

The contract, awarded by Central Systems, is valued at A$7 million ($5.4 million), according to SIMPEC, WestStar Industrial’s engineering contractor business. Work has commenced immediately.

FMG Solomon Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Fortescue, is developing the Solomon Central Facilities Workshop Yard, which involves consolidating various workshops, facilities and other non-process infrastructure into a centralised location. Central Systems was awarded the A$57.5 million design and construct contract for the Central Facilities (picture courtesy of Central Systems) back in October, and SIMPEC will be working with the company on site to supply and install the electrical, instrumentation and communication works for these facilities.

This award, SIMPEC’s first from Central Systems, builds on the portfolio of non-process infrastructure work packages successfully undertaken by SIMPEC across Western Australia and Sydney, New South Wales, the company said.

SIMPEC Managing Director, Mark Dimasi, noted: “To be part of this new development in the non-process infrastructure space on a Fortescue Metals Group project is very rewarding for the team. This large project allows SIMPEC to showcase its true electrical and instrumentation capabilities.”

Fortescue’s Solomon Hub is in the Hamersley Ranges and comprises the Firetail and Kings Valley mines, which together have a production capacity of 75 Mt/y. At the hub, higher iron grade, low cost Firetail ore is blended with low phosphorous Chichester ore to create the company’s Fortescue Blend.