Tag Archives: engineering

Monadelphous Group wins work from Rio Tinto, South32, Iluka

Base metals, Energy minerals, Mine operation news, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , ,

Monadelphous Group Limited has announced new contracts and extensions totalling approximately A$160 million ($107 million), with Rio Tinto, South32 and Iluka all getting mentions.

The engineering company has been awarded two one-year contract extensions for fixed plant maintenance services and sustaining capital projects across Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The company has also secured a fabrication, supply, installation and commissioning contract at Rio Tinto’s Tom Price mine, with work expected to be completed mid-2025.

In addition, the company has secured a new three-year contract for the provision of minor project works at South32’s Worsley Alumina operations in Western Australia, on the back of the maintenance and shutdown services contract extension announced last month. Monadelphous has been providing services at Worsley Alumina for almost 20 years.

Finally, Inteforge, Monadelphous’ fabrication business, has secured a contract for the supply and fabrication of structural steelwork and pipe racks for Iluka’s Eneabba rare earths refinery project in Western Australia, with work scheduled for completion in mid-2025.

Lycopodium engaged by Barrick for Lumwana copper expansion study

Base metals, Mine operation news, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , , ,

Lycopodium has been awarded a contract from Barrick for the feasibility study and basic engineering for the expansion of its Lumwana copper mine in Zambia.

The study and basic engineering contract is valued at approximately A$19 million ($12.5 million), with the project having a capital cost investment of almost $2 billion. Work has commenced, with the accelerated development program targeting completion of the feasibility study by the end of 2024 and expanded process plant production anticipated in 2028.

The expansion of the mine will increase Lumwana’s annual production from 150,000 t of copper at a 26-28 Mt/y process plant production rate, to an estimated 240,000 t of copper at a 50 Mt/y process plant production rate, with an estimated 36-year mine life.

Lumwana is a conventional open-pit (truck and shovel) operation, about 100 km west of Solwezi in Zambia’s Copperbelt. Lumwana ore, which is predominantly sulphide, is treated through a conventional sulphide flotation plant, producing copper concentrate.

Lycopodium Limited’s Managing Director, Peter De Leo, said: “The expansion of Lumwana within Zambia’s world-class copper region supports the country’s commitment to its copper industry, and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to continue our partnership with Barrick and be part of this significant development that will have a material impact on the Zambian economy.”

This engagement follows the award earlier this year of the feasibility study and basic engineering contract for Barrick’s Reko Diq copper-gold project in Pakistan.

BBA expands in North America with new Salt Lake City office

Mining services, , ,

As part of its international growth strategy, BBA has opened an office in Salt Lake City, USA, bringing the consulting engineering services company closer to its clients in a region that, it says, offers attractive business opportunities, particularly in the mining and metals sector.

Hassiba Lkoun, Director of Engineering, and Marc Tardif (pictured on the left with Jérôme Pelletier, President and CEO of BBA), an expert in process control and operational technology, have been on site for several weeks now preparing to open this new branch in the United States.

“We’re already busy building strong relationships with local partners and stakeholders, as well as carrying out automation and electrical engineering mandates at Rio Tinto’s Kennecott mine, located some 30 minutes from Salt Lake City,” LKoun said.

BBA has been providing a wide range of consulting engineering services for over 40 years. Today, its engineering, environmental and commissioning experts team up to, the company says, quickly and accurately pinpoint the needs of industrial and institutional clients, including those in the energy and natural resources industry.

GR Engineering cements Yangibana rare earth project EPC contract

Energy minerals, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , , , ,

GR Engineering Services has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Yangibana Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hastings Technology Metals Limited, for a beneficiation plant and associated infrastructure for the Yangibana rare earths project in Western Australia.

As previously announced on May 3, 2023, GR Engineering had entered into a binding term sheet with Yangibana Pty Ltd for these works.

The contract sum, including the provisional sum, is A$210 million ($138 million) as previously disclosed. This is made up of a fixed price component of A$180 million for the beneficiation plant and a provisional component of A$30 million mainly for the plant and tailings storage facility earthwork.

GR Engineering has commenced early works up to an agreed capped amount. The EPC contract is conditional on GR Engineering being issued with a commencement notice, which is dependent on Hastings finalising funding for the project as well as a number of other pre-conditions standard for an EPC contract.

Construction is planned to be complete in the March quarter of 2025 with first concentrate on truck in the June quarter of 2025

Under the A$210 million contract, GRES will design and construct the Yangibana beneficiation plant and all associated infrastructure, including engineering, manufacture, supply, installation, dry and wet commissioning, and testing of the facility over a period of less than 18 months. When completed, the plant will have a feed capacity of 1. 1 Mt/y and a rare earth concentrate output capacity of 37,000 t/y, Hastings says.

NRW’s Primero Group awarded major EPC contract for KCGM Growth Project

Comminution of minerals, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , ,

NRW Holdings says its wholly owned subsidiary Primero Group Limited has entered into an EPC contract with Northern Star Resources Limited for its KCGM Growth Project in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.

The execution of the engineering, procurement and construction contract follows an extensive program of work to define the scope, cost and schedule, according to NRW. Under the agreement, Primero will be responsible for the design, procurement, construction and commissioning of the process plant facilities, with the commercial model for delivery an “Incentivised Target Cost”.

The EPC contract has an approximate value of A$973 million ($647 million). The contract is scheduled for completion by the September quarter of 2026.

Last month, Northern Star announced the final investment decision on the KCGM Mill Expansion project, agreeing to invest A$1.5 billion to boost the mill’s capacity to 27 Mt/y, from 13 Mt/y. Included within this is 20 MW grinding mills – the highest powered, gear-driven mills in the world – and the first gear-driven 28 ft (8.5 m) diameter ball mill, according to FLSmidth.

Primero participated in a competitive early contractor involvement (ECI) program from January 2022 and has worked with the Northern Star project team to develop a technically-superior design that will bring operating benefits to the Fimiston processing plant, it says. Following the ECI program, Primero was engaged to undertake further value engineering and scope development.

Primero’s Managing Director, Michael Gollschewski, said: “The execution of the KCGM Growth Project is the culmination of an 18-month journey with Northern Star. The work conducted to date to develop the capital cost, design, execution strategy and schedule for the project, has been one of the most comprehensive and rigorous ECI programs we have participated in. The effort of the combined teams to define this key project has provided a solid foundation for a safe, efficient and successful delivery.”

NRW’s Managing Director, Jules Pemberton, said: “This EPC contract reinforces Primero’s reputation as a leading provider of world class engineering and construction services. This
project showcases Primero’s full range of in-house capability. I look forward to developing a long-term relationship with one of the industry’s leading gold producers.”

FLANDERS reflects on 75 years of innovation in electric rotating machines

Automation, Comminution of minerals, Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

FLANDERS, a global provider of engineered solutions for the mining, mills, oil and gas, power generation, utilities, and energy markets, is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2022/23 with, it says, activities highlighting the company’s history and plans for the future.

Beginning in 1947 as a small motor repair workshop, the company has grown into a global leader, specialising in the distribution, service, repair, design and manufacturing of electric rotating machines, it says. It now boasts products and services like artificial intelligence-powered-condition-based monitoring, custom controls, systems integration, and automation for the industry’s largest and most demanding applications.

Frank Flanders started the company in May of 1947 in Evansville, Indiana, and, in 1962, Roy Patterson and Bud Havens purchased Flanders Electric Motor Service Inc. The Patterson family held sole ownership until recently, with family members, including grandfather, father, mother, and sons, holding key leadership roles throughout the decades.

Center Rock Capital Partners purchased the company in March 2021, with the acquisition forming part of a broader initiative to serve heavy industry and mining with electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic services – focused on a “whole of service” offering to our clients, helping them lower their operating costs.

FLANDERS now has with 15-plus locations worldwide, supporting over 10,000 customers and employing hundreds of people worldwide in a family-oriented environment.

John Oliver, CEO of FLANDERS, said: “I am very proud of what we’ve accomplished throughout the company’s 75-year history. It takes a great team of employees and partners to get us where we are today. From our legacy products to new engineered solutions, we’ve learned from and evolved with the needs of our global customers. As we look to the next 75 years, we are committed to developing innovative products and solutions to meet our customers’ unique challenges.”

Today, FLANDERS has multiple business streams, including autonomous solutions, control and power systems, distribution, motor manufacture, and repair and services. Each business stream capitalises on solid engineering expertise to help customers solve unique challenges, it says. The company is also investing in green power solutions to protect the environment and solutions that help reduce the cost of operation in heavy industry.

FLANDERS has its headquarters in Evansville, Indiana, and holds more than 1 million sq.ft (92,903 sq.m) of repair, office, and inventory space.

Oliver added: “Built into the FLANDERS ethos is our customer service mindset, we understand that our customers are focused on safety, quality, reliability and productivity, and at FLANDERS as we use that lens to engineer solutions and services that put the customer’s needs at the forefront and going a step further to think above and beyond what can be done to improve the customer experience.”

FLANDERS says it is dedicated to investing in its diverse employee base and innovative technologies, focusing on green power management solutions for another 75 years.

Bellevue Gold tasks GR Engineering with process plant build

Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , ,

Bellevue Gold Limited has awarded GR Engineering Services Limited engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) work related to the 1 Mt/y gold processing plant and associated infrastructure for its namesake project in Western Australia.

GR Engineering will immediately commence design engineering services and ordering of long lead and design critical path equipment including the ball mill, crushing equipment, screens, agitators, leach and tailings thickeners, prior to entering into a formal EPC contract.

Geoff Jones, Managing Director, said: “GR Engineering is pleased to be working with the Bellevue team on this exciting gold project. This project further enhances GR Engineering’s reputation as the leading gold EPC contractor in Australia.”

Bellevue Managing Director, Steve Parsons, said GR Engineering knew the project well from its work during the study phase.

“Commencing manufacturing of these long-lead critical components of our 1 Mt/y processing plant de-risks the construction schedule and puts Bellevue on the pathway to first gold in the second half of 2023.

“The appetite among leading contractors and suppliers to be involved with our project speaks volumes about its strong future.”

Bellevue is forecasting production of 200,000 oz/y during years one to five at an all-in sustaining cost of A$922/oz ($653/oz) at its operation.

Artemis awards Blackwater gold EPC contract to Sedgman Canada

Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , ,

Artemis Gold Inc says it has made an award for the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPC) scope of works for the processing plant and associated infrastructure at its Blackwater project in British Columbia, Canada, to Sedgman Canada Limited, a CIMIC Group company.

The award amount of approximately C$312 million ($243 million) is consistent with the prescribed budget for the process plant and selected infrastructure scope of works in the 2021 feasibility study.

Sedgman Canada Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Sedgman Pty Limited, a CIMIC Group company. CIMIC Group (ASX:CIM) is an engineering-led construction, mining, services and public private partnerships leader working across the lifecycle of assets, infrastructure and resources projects.

The EPC contract is expected to be executed by June 30, 2022, with the contract supported by performance security including bank letters of credit, which will underwrite the financial performance and obligations of the contractor under the contract.

While the parties finalise the definitive EPC contract, in order to maintain the project schedule, an interim services agreement has been agreed which could cover procurement and pricing of long lead equipment and optimisation through refined scope changes, among other aspects.

The project schedule supporting the award to Sedgman includes the following assumptions:

  • Construction mobilisation and major works preparations commence in Fall 2022 with process plant bulk earthworks scheduled to be completed prior to the start of major works;
  • Commissioning activities of the process facility to commence in Q1 (March quarter) 2024; and
  • First gold pour expected in the first half of 2024.

The final EPC contract terms will provide for potential cost adjustments of certain components of construction representing approximately less than 15% of the total contract amount, including the potential for cost adjustments from further quantity definition, Artemis said. Standard adjustments, including currency exchange rates for certain equipment purchases also apply, and further optimisation of the processing plant with final engineering will occur.

Artemis is also considering awarding additional construction packages under an EPC agreement type structure to further enhance the risk management of the total capital expenditure for Blackwater, it said.

When combined with the EPC for the Power Transmission Line announced on August 18, 2021, the percentage of the estimated total capital expenditure for Blackwater under EPC is on track to target circa-60% of the initial Stage 1 development capital of C$645 million in a lump sum EPC type arrangement by the September quarter of 2022.

Stage 1 development should lead to the building of a 6-9 Mt/y operation (6 Mt/y in years 1-4 and 9 Mt/y in year 5) able to produce around 312,000 oz/y of gold.

Steven Dean, Chairman and CEO, said: “The award of the EPC job for the process plant at Blackwater is another significant milestone for Artemis, reflecting a competitive process involving multiple bidders. We are very pleased to be working with a world-class engineering firm in Sedgman. In partnership, we will work to finalise the design and engineering of the Blackwater project in advance of a start of major development activities. Blackwater remains on track for a start of major construction activities following receipt of Mines Act and other permits in Fall 2022 with a first gold pour in H1 2024.”

Austin to supply NRW Civil & Mining with 16 ULTIMA truck bodies

Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

Austin Engineering says it has secured a A$7 million ($5 million) agreement to supply 16 locally-made truck bodies to Australia-based mining contractor NRW Civil & Mining, a unit of NRW Holdings.

Austin and NRW marked the award with a steel plate cutting ceremony for the first of the ULTIMA truck bodies to be manufactured on site at Austin’s Kewdale facility, which is co-located with the company’s new corporate headquarters in Western Australia.

In addition to representatives from Austin, the ceremony was attended by NRW CEO, Jules Pemberton, and other NRW representatives, along with Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia Chief Executive Officer, Paul Everingham.

NRW is an arm of Australian diversified contract services provider NRW Holdings, which services the resources and infrastructure sectors in Australia. Its services include civil construction, bulk earthworks, road and rail construction and concrete installation, contract mining and drill and blast services.

NRW has ordered 16 ULTIMA high performance truck bodies and two 6060 Face Shovel buckets from Austin, which will be manufactured at Austin’s Kewdale site over the coming months.

Austin’s Kewdale facility is one of two of the company’s major manufacturing sites in the Asia Pacific region, the other being in Indonesia. The company is investing A$6.5 million to implement advanced manufacturing processes and capabilities at these sites, including increased automation and the use of custom jigs, fixtures, workstations and a standardised manufacturing approach to building product.

The Kewdale facility will receive the first manufacturing upgrade, which will benefit customers, such as NRW, and enhance the company’s supply of Western Australian-made dump truck bodies and other hauling and loading products, Austin says.

Austin Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, David Singleton, said: “We are extremely pleased to sign this contract with NRW, one of Australia’s leading mining contractors. The contract adds to a solid order book for Austin. Our recent strategic review demonstrated the opportunity to upgrade our manufacturing facilities to increase production efficiency while enhancing product quality and operator safety. We are the leading designer of truck bodies in the world, and intend to be the most efficient too.”

GR Engineering wins Mt Ida EPC contract from Aurenne Alt Resources

Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , ,

GR Engineering Services says it has executed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Aurenne Alt Resources Pty Ltd in relation to the Mt Ida gold project in Western Australia.

Mt Ida, which Aurenne inherited with the acquisition of Alt Resources last year, is in the eastern goldfields of the state.

GR Engineering said the contract sum is approximately A$73 million ($54 million) and work is expected to start immediately.

Geoff Jones, Managing Director of GR Engineering, said: “GR Engineering is pleased to have been awarded the EPC contract by Aurenne and we look forward to working collaboratively with the Aurenne team. This project further reinforces GR Engineering’s reputation as the leading gold EPC contractor in Australia.”

Alt Resources previously outlined the need for a 750,000 t/y processing facility at Mt Ida in a 2020 feasibility study prior to being acquired by Aurenne.