Tag Archives: KCGM

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.”

New Cat 793Fs start arriving at KCGM’s Super Pit gold operations in Kalgoorlie

Mine operation news, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , ,

Northern Star Resources has started to welcome the first of its 39 new Caterpillar 793F haul trucks to its KCGM Operations in Western Australia.

The first of these haul trucks arrived in September, with the remaining trucks to arrive at site between now and April 2022, Northern Star said. They will be transported from Perth to Kalgoorlie-Boulder on the Great Eastern Highway.

Part of an open-pit fleet replacement program, the trucks will offer “improved visibility and comfort” to Northern Star’s 200-plus local operators working in the Super Pit, while supporting KCGM’s life of mine plans to 2034, the company said.

The trucks are fitted with Schlam’s Hercules dump bodies, which have been custom designed to suit the hard-rock mining environment of the Super Pit and KCGM’s mining plan, Schlam said.

At KCGM, open-pit mining rates continued to ramp-up in the September quarter, with an increased production rate of 72 Mt/y achieved at quarter end.