Tag Archives: EPCM

Clean TeQ spells out battery raw materials potential of Sunrise project

Base metals, Energy minerals, Environmental, Metallurgy, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , ,

Clean TeQ Holdings and Fluor Australia have come up with a Project Execution Plan (PEP) for the Sunrise Battery Materials project in New South Wales, Australia, that, Clean TeQ says, confirms the asset’s status as one of the world’s lowest cost, development-ready sources of critical battery raw materials.

This builds on a 2018 definitive feasibility study on Sunrise that modelled the first 25 years of production at the project.

In production, it will be a major supplier of nickel and cobalt to the lithium-ion battery market, and scandium to the aerospace, consumer electronics and automotive sectors, according to Clean TeQ.

The PEP scope of works included a range of studies which have optimised metal production rates while holding autoclave ore feed constant at the approved maximum 2.5 Mt/y, it said. This saw average annual (metal equivalent) production rates of 21,293 t of nickel and 4,366 t of cobalt in years two to 11; and 18,439 t of nickel and 3,179 t of cobalt from year two to 25.

On top of this, the PEP considered a scandium oxide refining capacity of up to 20 t/y installed from year three, which can readily be expanded to 80 t/y with around A$25 million ($18 million) capital expenditure on additional refining capacity.

“As the scandium market grows, future investment in a dedicated resin-in-pulp scandium extraction circuit and further refining capacity offers the potential to increase by-product scandium production to up to approximately 150 tonnes per annum,” Clean TeQ said.

The pre-production capital cost estimate of $1.658 billion (excluding $168 million estimated contingency) reflects a significantly de-risked capital cost, with approximately 79% of total equipment and materials costs covered by vendor quotations, Clean TeQ said. Submissions were also obtained from contractors to validate the labour costs included in the total direct cost.

On the operating expenditure side, C1 costs came in at $4.31/Ib ($9,503/t) of nickel before by-product credits in years 2-11 and $4.58/Ib before by-product credits over years 2-25.

Using weighted average forecast (metal equivalent) sulphate prices over the life of mine of $24,200/t (including sulphate premium) for nickel and $59,200/t of cobalt, the project would generate a post-tax net present value of $1.21 billion, the company said.

Future value optimisation studies to assess opportunities to reduce capital expenditure in areas of off-site pre-assembly, modularisation and low-cost offshore procurement could further improve this return, it said.

The PEP assumed the project execution on an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) basis. Prior to making a final investment decision, Clean TeQ will select an EPCM contractor for the engineering, procurement and construction phase of the project, it said.

Clean TeQ Co-Chairman, Robert Friedland, said: “Auto supply chains are coming to realise they are playing a game of nickel and cobalt musical chairs. We are half-way through the second verse and the music will eventually stop.

“We have a clear vision for how to create a sustainable auto supply chain of the future. Our team is proud to present that vision today. Sunrise is a long-life, low-cost, development-ready asset which is a template for consistent, sustainable and auditable nickel and cobalt supply. We cannot anticipate how long it will take to have the project funded and in development, but we can be patient with such a strategically important asset, and we are fully committed to ensuring it is developed with partners who understand the value that responsible supply chain integration brings.”

Although the level of activity associated with the PEP study and engineering works will now significantly reduce, Clean TeQ said a range of work-streams will continue in order to progress a number of value-adding deliverables aimed at minimising project restart time once funding is secured:

  • Work will be progressed on the long-lead electrical transmission line (ETL) work scope. The ETL application to connect to the NSW electrical grid is currently in progress and will continue through the 2021 financial year;
  • Progressing ongoing commercial discussions with landowners, local councils, the New South Wales state government and other impacted parties required for land access agreements for key infrastructure including the water pipeline and the ETL;
  • Surveying and planning for autoclave and oversize equipment transport routes to site;
  • Preliminary investigations to be undertaken on exploration licences for limestone resources, a key process reagent for which the company currently has a supply contract in place with a third party;
  • Test work and engineering assessing opportunities for potential further downstream processing of sulphates into battery precursor materials;
  • Ongoing environmental work including monitoring and compliance reporting;
  • The Sunrise Community Consultative Committee will be maintained along with several local community engagement/support programs; and
  • A range of scandium alloy development programs will continue to be progressed, consistent with Clean TeQ’s long term strategy to work with, and assist, industry players to investigate and develop new applications for scandium-aluminium alloys.

DRA to design, supply and construct SOP processing plant for Kalium Lakes

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

DRA Global says it has been awarded the engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the Kalium Lakes-owned Beyondie sulphate of potash (SOP) project in Western Australia.

The scope of work will be the design, supply, and construction of the 90,000 t/y SOP processing plant, with a provision for future expansion to 180,000 t/y, the company said.

“As a total solutions partner, the awarding of the Beyondie EPC contract highlights the confidence in DRA’s specialised expertise,” Greg McRostie, Executive Vice President of DRA Global in APAC, said. “We are excited to be partnering with Kalium Lakes Limited on this innovative Australian project.”

DRA was already involved with the purification plant at Beyondie, having been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction management contract last year.

DRA Global wins Lola graphite project EPCM contract

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

SRG Mining has selected DRA Global as the provider of engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services for its Lola graphite project in Guinea.

This selection is the result of a competitive tender process where several international engineering firms were invited and responded with qualifying and attractive proposals, SRG Mining said.

Over the past three years, DRA has assisted SRG with the evaluation of the Lola graphite project, having been involved from the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) stage to the most recent feasibility study. This latter study outlined a project costing $88.5 million to build and producing 54,600 t of graphite flakes over a 29-year mine life.

DRA and its subsidiaries such as SENET have a long and successful history of delivering resources projects in Africa, most recently being involved in the construction of Alufer’s Bel Air bauxite project and Managem’s Tri-K gold project, both in Guinea, SRG Mining said.

“This historic knowledge and experience, combined with expertise of the latest processing technology, enable DRA to successfully design and execute mining and minerals processing projects, particularly in West Africa,” the company added.

The engineering phase of the project will be carried out through the DRA offices in Montreal and Toronto and the site-based execution will be led by DRA’s subsidiary SENET.

Ugo Landry-Tolszczuk, President and Chief Operating Officer of SRG, said: “Our tender process cemented our belief that DRA is the best partner for SRG to successfully complete the design and construct our Lola graphite project.”

Andrew Naude, CEO of DRA Global, said: “Awarding the execution of this internationally important graphite project on the African Continent to DRA is testament to DRA’s position as the preferred technical partner for projects of this nature. It reinforces DRA’s position as the preferred partner for the delivering of projects on the Continent.

“DRA has put together a very strong team for the EPCM of the project all of whom carry industry leading experience in delivering successfully on projects, in Africa.”

GR Engineering to grow Americas footprint with Hanlon Engineering buy

Mineral project development, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , , ,

GR Engineering Services has entered into an agreement to acquire Hanlon Engineering & Associates Inc as it looks to grow its existing footprint within the Americas.

Hanlon, based in Arizona, USA, is a multi-disciplinary engineering services firm that provides engineering, procurement and construction management services to the mining sector in North America. It was established in 1999 and employs around 40 people. Hanlon also has a satellite office in Elko, Nevada.

Among the list of mining companies Hanlon has carried out work for is Agnico Eagle Mines, Barrick Gold, BHP, Freeport McMoRan Hecla Mining and Newmont.

GR Engineering’s Managing Director, Geoff Jones, said the acquisition of Hanlon was aligned with GR Engineering’s growth strategy.

“We are pleased to be acquiring the Hanlon business,” Jones said. “Hanlon has a strong local brand with an excellent safety record and longstanding relationships with major mining clients. Hanlon has an experienced management team capable of taking advantage of the numerous growth opportunities that exist in the Americas.”

Based on Hanlon’s current workflow, identified growth prospects and GR Engineering’s existing pipeline of work in the Americas, GR Engineering anticipates the business will immediately contribute to GR Engineering’s revenue and become earnings per share accretive for the company in the financial year ending 30 June 2021.

The acquisition remains subject to the satisfaction of several conditions precedent customary for an agreement of this nature. It is anticipated that the acquisition will be completed by the end of February.

BHP’s South Flank on course for 2021 first iron ore deadline

Mineral project development, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , ,

Fluor says BHP’s $3.6 billion South Flank iron ore project, in the Pilbara of Western Australia, is on track for first ore in 2021, with the engineering firm having erected the first 1,500 t of modules in the ore handling plant.

This construction milestone is in the critical sequence to first ore and comes after achieving 50% project completion, announced by BHP in October 2019, Fluor said.

Fluor is providing engineering, procurement and construction management services on South Flank.

In December, Mammoet said it had started transporting the first heavy components for the under-construction mine, with around 1,900 items including prefabricated and modular mine processing plant units of various sizes set to be moved from Port Hedland to the new mine site.

When operational, South Flank will be one of the largest iron ore processing hubs in the world. The project will include an 80 Mt/y crushing and screening plant, an overland conveyor system and rail-loading facilities. The mine will replace production from BHP’s Yandi mine, which is nearing the end of its life.

South Flank engineering and procurement work is being performed from BHP’s office in Perth, with Fluor working together with BHP as an integrated project team, it said.

Tony Morgan, President of Fluor’s Mining and Metals business, said: “We are extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish with BHP on this project including our commitment to achieve diversity through the hiring of indigenous and local team members.

“The pioneering integrated team approach on this project is truly a collaborative effort. We look forward to continuing our long and successful relationship with BHP on this project and beyond.”

Richard Gerspacher, Project Director, said: “Based on the project routines and culture we’ve created, I am confident that the project will continue to proceed in a positive manner as we work towards first ore.”

Fluor previously performed the feasibility study for the project before it was awarded the follow-on construction and project management scope. Over the life of the project, it is expected that more than 9,000 people will be engaged in the South Flank work force.

Construction began in July 2018 and first production of iron ore is anticipated in 2021.

Primero Group to take on EPC contract at Rio’s Koodaideri iron ore mine

Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , , ,

Primero Group has secured a A$115 million ($79 million) contract with Rio Tinto’s iron ore division that will see it design, fabricate, supply, deliver, construct, install, test and commission the Mine Infrastructure Area and associated facilities at the Koodaideri iron ore project in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

The scope includes the complete engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract of the facilities for this project, which will commence immediately and is scheduled to be completed in mid-2021.

Primero says it expects to employ a workforce of over 150 personnel at its peak.

Koodaideri, billed by Rio as an “intelligent mine”, will deliver a new production hub for Rio’s iron ore business in the Pilbara, incorporating a processing plant and infrastructure including a 166 km rail line connecting the mine to the existing network.

Construction on Koodaideri Phase 1 started this year with first production expected in late 2021. Once complete, the mine will have an annual capacity of 43 Mt, underpinning production of the company’s flagship iron ore product, Pilbara Blend.

In addition to mine infrastructure and the accommodation camp, an airport and mine support facilities will be built. Throughout the construction period, Rio expects to employ over 2,000 people with 600 permanent roles created once the mine is operational.

In addition to the Koodaideri work, Primero said it had been awarded Phase 2 of the proposed processing upgrade, on an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) basis, for Northern Star Resources’ Pogo gold mine, in Alaska, USA.

The works will be conducted predominantly from Primero’s Americas Montreal (Canada) office with works progressively executed this winter to ensure construction windows are met in the summer period, it said.

The upgrade works will increase throughput of the current processing facility from 1 Mt/y to 1.3 Mt/y by January 2021, with the potential to move to a Phase 3 (1.5 Mt/y) over the coming years.

Primero said: “Works are set to progress over the next 12 months including detailed design and equipment procurement with the planning for on-site works commencing over the winter period to be executed in the warmer months, post winter.”

The award of the project is the first major contract with Northern Star Resources, Primero added.

Northern Star acquired Pogo, the company’s first mine outside of Australia, from Sumitomo Metal Mining late last year for $260 million.

ÅF and Pöyry to move forward as AFRY

Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , ,

Following a merger, completed on February 22, ÅF and Pöyry have decided to rebrand the joint company as AFRY.

AFRY is a leading company within engineering, design and advisory services, with its clients mainly within the infrastructure, industry and energy sectors.

ÅF was founded in 1895 and Pöyry in 1958 and, since the merger, the merged entity has become the biggest company in its sector in the Nordic region, and a global actor with almost 17,000 employees in offices in 50 countries and projects in 100 countries. This comes with an annual revenue of about SEK20 billion ($2.08 billion).

Jonas Gustavsson, President and CEO at AFRY, said: “Our focus on sustainability is strengthened and our position as a global company consolidated with the launch of AFRY. Given the exponential technological development we are facing, our services and solutions are more relevant than ever.”

Gustavsson added that in the last couple of years, the companies have experienced significant growth, with revenue doubling since 2015.

The company said: “The need for sustainable solutions is greater than ever in times of increased globalisation, urbanisation, digitalisation and climate change. At AFRY we drive the transformation, and, together with our clients, we are able to influence many parts of society through solutions that reduce our impact on the climate.”

With a new common brand and offer, the company says it has strengthened its position in its core markets of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Switzerland, and grown internationally within, for example, the energy and process industries.

Monadelphous after Chile mining exposure with Buildtek, Maqrent deal

Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , , , , ,

Engineering company Monadelphous Group is expanding its South America presence through the acquisition of 75% stakes in Chile-based construction and maintenance services contractor, Buildtek SpA, and plant and equipment hire company, Maqrent SpA.

Buildtek provides multidisciplinary construction and maintenance services to the mining sector in Chile, having facilities in Antofagasta, Rancagua and Calama, and a head office in Santiago. Maqrent provides a range of plant, machinery and equipment for hire to Buildtek and external customers in the mining and construction sectors. Customers include major resources and energy companies such as Codelco, BHP, Albemarle, Anglo American and GNL Quintero. The business achieved an annual turnover in excess of CLP20 billion (A$24.7 million) in the last financial year.

Monadelphous Managing Director, Rob Velletri, said the acquisition formed part of the company’s markets and growth strategy, through the expansion of its existing services into new geographical regions. The announcement was the result of “significant efforts” over a number of years to understand the South American market, he added.

“The acquisition enables our entry into the growing Chilean resources market through an established and well-recognised operator. We will support Buildtek and Maqrent as they continue to grow and expand in the South American market,” he said.

Monadelphous is paying CLP5 billion in cash to acquire 75% of the companies, with an option to purchase the remaining 25% in three years’ time. The companies were founded in 2007 by Victor Valech and employ around 700 people. Valech will continue to manage and run the operations in Chile, with support from Monadelphous.

M3 Engineering wins Camino Rojo oxide gold project EPCM

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

Orla Mining says it has awarded the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract for the Camino Rojo oxide gold project in Zacatecas State, Mexico, to M3 Engineering & Technology Corp.

M3, a full service EPCM firm headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, has provided services to over 10,000 projects for some 1,000 clients in its 33-year history, Orla says.

Work on the Camino Rojo project will be undertaken out of the M3 office in Hermosillo, Mexico, with senior review and support from the Tucson, Arizona office. The company will be responsible for detailed engineering, construction planning and execution, contractor management and cost control for the project under the auspices of Orla management.

Orla expects to begin engineering work by mid-September, yet the selection of M3 and commencement of any EPCM work is subject to entering into a definitive agreement.

Jason Simpson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orla, said: “M3 has a wealth of engineering knowledge and with its extensive experience in Mexico, it is well suited to design and build the Camino Rojo project on time and on budget.

“We look forward to commencing detailed engineering work by mid-September as we work with M3 to build a high-quality project that begins to produce gold in mid-2021.”

The Camino Rojo oxide project consists of an 18,000 t/d heap-leach open pit operation. An estimated 44 Mt grading 0.73 g/t Au and 14.2 g/t Ag is expected to be processed during an almost seven-year mine life. Gold production is expected to average 97,000 oz/y at an estimated all-in sustaining cost of $576/oz of gold.

Orla has submitted the permit applications to SEMARNAT for the Manifesto de Impacto Ambiental (MIA) and the Change of Land Use (ETJ) permits at the end of August. The legislated timelines for the review of properly prepared MIA and ETJ applications and mine operating permits for a project that does not affect federally protected biospheres or ecological reserves are 120 working days and 105 working days, respectively, which can be completed concurrently, according to Orla.

DRA Global to carry out feasibility study work on Managem’s Tizert copper project

Base metals, Bulk handling, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

DRA Global says it has been awarded the bankable feasibility study (BFS) contract for the Managem Group-owned Tizert copper project, in the Souss-Massa province of Morocco.

The Tizert copper deposit is located on the northern edge of Igherm Precambrian buttonhole and is the largest copper deposit in the western Anti-Atlas Copper Belt, according to DRA. The underground mine, with a targeted production of 3.3 Mt/y of ore, is expected to use multiple mining methods including room and pillar and long hole stoping.

An aerial ropeway system will be used to convey the ore from the mine site to the process plant across an 800 m wide and 250 m deep canyon. The process plant will be a flotation concentrator producing oxide and sulphide copper concentrates.

DRA’s Montreal office has been awarded the full BFS scope which will include mining, backfill, ore transport, process plant and infrastructures. The BFS is expected to be completed in the June quarter of 2020.

Pierre Julien, DRA’s Executive Vice President Americas, attributes the winning of the contact to an excellent working relationship with Managem: “The DRA team has been working closely with the Managem leadership team for almost two years, and through a dedicated and collaborative approach has built a partnership which culminated with the award of this BFS contract.”