SNC-Lavalin has been awarded a project by Minera Los Pelambres, a subsidiary of Antofagasta Minerals (AMSA), to provide feasibility study services for the Los Pelambres optimisation project in Chile, some 350 km northeast of the capital city of Santiago. SNC-Lavalin’s contract includes the review of a prefeasibility study developed by other firms, as well as the production of deliverables required for a feasibility study. These services include the engineering and design of a primary crusher, a new 60,000 t/d concentrator line and pebble crushing circuit, flotation cells and related plant infrastructure, including internal roads and power systems. The process plant to process an additional 60,000 t/d of ore will bring its total capacity to 205,000 t/d. The plant will use primary crushing, SAG and ball mill grinding systems, as well as flotation technologies.

“This contract builds on our long-standing relationship with AMSA, and reflects their continuing confidence in our ability to carry out projects for them,” said Dale Clarke, Executive Vice-President, SNC-Lavalin Group. “More importantly, this award gives us an opportunity to make further contributions to the long-term development and market positioning of one of Chile’s flagship companies.”

The feasibility study has commenced and is scheduled for completion at the end of October 2014.