Tag Archives: Mark Dimasi

SIMPEC awarded significant Cloudbreak crusher contract from Fortescue

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SIMPEC’s relationship with Fortescue Metals Group continues to strengthen, with the engineering contractor set to replace two Metso Outotec Nordberg® C160 jaw crushers at the miner’s Cloudbreak iron ore operation in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

The WestStar Industrial Ltd subsidiary’s new contract for the Hopper 5 Jaw Crusher Replacement project is the first win directly from Fortescue but is far from the first time the company has stepped on site at one of its mines. SIMPEC has previously carried out work on its operations after being subcontracted by the likes of Central Systems, Energy Power Systems, ATCO and others.

The scope of the jaw crusher contract includes removal of all structural and mechanical items required to access the jaw crushers, followed by reinstatement on completion of the change out. It also includes maintenance works and modifications to the existing Hopper 5 hoppers, chutes and screens, SIMPEC said.

Worth A$2.1 million ($1.6 million), the vertical contract has commenced immediately, with works expected to be completed in April.

SIMPEC Managing Director, Mark Dimasi, said: “It has been a long-term goal of SIMPEC to work directly for Fortescue and to break into the field of sustaining capital works. By building our sustaining capital portfolio, SIMPEC aims to achieve a more stable cash flow as well as provide continuity for our workforce.

“This is a very proud moment for the team, and we look forward to successful completion of this project and what we hope will be a long-term relationship with Fortescue.”

SIMPEC to help Central Systems with Fortescue Solomon Hub work

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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.

IronMerge SIMPEC joint venture to work on Pilgangoora lithium operation

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SIMPEC and IronMerge have secured their first contract under a newly incorporated joint venture, with the IronMerge SIMPEC JV to work on Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora lithium operation in Western Australia.

WestStar Industrial Ltd’s SIMPEC formed its first Aboriginal Business joint venture, IronMerge SIMPEC JV, with IronMerge Pty Ltd just last month.

The Stage 1 A$15 million ($11.7 million) improvement works contract at Pilgangoora involves a series of works to improve operating time and throughput as part of continuous improvement to operational performance of Pilgangoora’s Stage 1, 2 Mt/y processing facility.

SIMPEC has been contracted to perform all vertical installation works including earth works, civils, fabrication, structural, mechanical, piping, tanks, electrical and instrumentation works for the project. All works will be conducted with joint venture partner IronMerge.

The Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project has a current resource of 222.5 Mt and existing JORC compliant reserves of 104.6 Mt.

SIMPEC Managing Director, Mark Dimasi (pictured on the right), said: “This newly awarded contract is a tribute to not only our SIMPEC delivery team but also Ian Taylor (Chairman of IronMerge, pictured in the middle next to Ken Brinsden, MD and CEO of Pilbara Minerals, on the left) and his IronMerge team. This is a very proud moment for all of us and I sincerely look forward to seeing this JV relationship growing and developing in the construction and mining sector. A big thank you to the Pilbara Minerals team for backing us throughout this tender phase.”

SIMPEC and IronMerge create Aboriginal Business JV serving the Pilbara

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WestStar Industrial Ltd’s engineering contractor business SIMPEC has formed its first Aboriginal Business joint venture, IronMerge SIMPEC JV, with IronMerge Pty Ltd.

IronMerge is a Supply Nation Aboriginal-owned mining and civil works service company, delivering local contracting solutions to customers across the Pilbara, driving employment outcomes for Indigenous people and local communities in the Port Hedland region, WestStar says. The company prides itself on being a Nyamal family business and offers direct employment for Nyamal people in the Pilbara.

IronMerge SIMPEC JV, an unincorporated 50:50 joint venture, has been formed to deliver a key component of SIMPEC’s Aboriginal engagement strategy and overall commitment to returning benefit to Traditional Owners and communities within its operational footprint, according to WestStar.

The key objectives of the joint venture are:

  • For SIMPEC and IronMergeto cooperate and support one another in construction and service opportunities in and around the Pilbara, winning work jointly or separately;
  • To actively participate and positively contribute to the communities in which the parties operate by continuing to create local employment opportunities and engaging the community interest in everything that is done; and
  • To be project and service delivery partners of choice through complete alignment with clients in meeting their goals, obligations and commitments to Traditional Owners and local Aboriginal businesses.

SIMPEC Managing Director, Mark Dimasi, said: “This is a milestone achievement not only for SIMPEC but also Ian Taylor (pictured in the centre) and his IronMerge team. This is a very proud moment for all of us and I sincerely look forward to seeing this JV relationship delivering sustainable outcomes to our businesses and equally to Aboriginal business and communities. A big thank you to all involved in bringing the first step in our ambitious goal to a reality.”

SIMPEC says it continues to develop and strengthen its relationship with local Traditional Owners and Aboriginal businesses.

“We believe our overall focus on social responsibility will further enhance SIMPEC’s positioning for financial year 2021 and beyond,” it added.

SIMPEC to help with plant handover at Tianqi Lithium’s Kwinana plant

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SIMPEC has added to its existing scope of works at the Tianqi Lithium-owned lithium hydroxide process plant (LHPP1) in Kwinana, Western Australia, with a new A$5 million ($3.34 million) contract to carry out structural, mechanical, piping, and electrical and instrumentation work at the operation.

This work, which comes on top of the pyromet piping installation contract the WestStar Industrial subsidiary was awarded by lead contractor MSP Engineering in 2018, will assist Tianqi with the handover of the plant to the operations team.

SIMPEC Managing Director, Mark Dimasi, said: “This award is a true reflection of our team’s performance to date on the LHPP1 project. An outstanding effort by everyone involved. I personally would like to thank all the MSP Engineering personnel for supporting our team over the past 10 months and Tianqi Lithium Kwinana for backing the incumbent SIMPEC site team.”

This new contract builds on previously announced extensions during the company’s 2020 financial year and brings contract awards received during the first half of this period to circa-A$23 million.

SIMPEC starts FY2020 with more WA contract extensions

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SIMPEC has continued to add to its structural, mechanical and piping (SMP), and electrical and instrumentation (E&I) work, in Western Australia, bolting on another A$5 million ($3.49 million) to its current list of contracts.

Having been awarded contracts totalling A$50 million in its 2019 financial year to end-June, the WestStar subsidiary has started its 2020 financial year strongly.

Although the company didn’t mention the specific contracts it had won extensions on, SIMPEC has previously been awarded work involving pyromet piping installation at the lithium hydroxide process plant (LHPP1) at Tianqi Lithium’s Kwinana project (pictured), in addition to installing electrical and communications systems at the Rio Tinto’s West Angelas iron ore mine construction camp.

The latest news come less than two weeks since SIMPEC registered A$2.5 million of extensions to previous contracts.

SIMPEC Managing Director, Mark Dimasi, said: “Having delivered a strong pipeline of contract awards over the past year, SIMPEC continues to consolidate its position and build its credentials on major projects.”

The company added: “SIMPEC continues to tender strongly for new work and expects outcomes from these tendering activities in due course.”

SIMPEC banks more Western Australia work as order book continues to grow

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WestStar Industrial’s engineering contractor business, SIMPEC, has been awarded an additional A$2.5 million ($1.7 million) in scope extensions to its current contracts in Western Australia, bringing its total year-to-date order book to over A$50 million.

The SIMPEC team has grown substantially over the past 6 months and has deployed over 150 personnel and contractors now working across all of SIMPEC’s current contracts. This includes work for MSP Engineering (the Tianqi Lithium Kwinana processing plant) and Iluka Resources (for the Cataby mineral sands project), in addition to a contract with Fortescue Metals Group for its new Eliwana iron ore project.

SIMPEC Managing Director, Mark Dimasi, said: “SIMPEC is performing exceptionally well on site and the contract extensions are a good indication of this.”

With this award, the WestStar group has posted a year-to-date order total in excess of A$50 million.

The company said: “With major contract works underway or soon to commence, the company expects a strong start to the new financial year. SIMPEC continues to tender strongly for new work and expects outcomes from these tendering activities in due course.”

SIMPEC wins more work from MSP Engineering, Iluka Resources

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SIMPEC says it has been awarded more than A$5 million ($3.46 million) in scope extensions to its current contracts in Western Australia.

WestStar Industrial’s engineering contractor business said the bulk of this work is either underway or will commence imminently and was built on the original awards from MSP Engineering (for the Tianqi Lithium Kwinana processing plant, pictured) and Iluka Resources (for the Cataby mineral sands project).

This news comes hot on the heels of SIMPEC announcing major contract awards, the most recent being the A$10 million win from ATCO to supply and install the electrical, communications and dry fire systems for an 800-room mine camp at Fortescue Metals Group’s Eliwana iron ore mine site in the Pilbara, Western Australia.

SIMPEC said its team has grown substantially over the past six months with nearly 150 personnel and contractors now working across all of its current contracts.

SIMPEC Managing Director, Mark Dimasi, said: “These scope extensions are a direct result of our strong performance on site. With safety at the forefront of everything we do, SIMPEC is performing very well across all projects and working very closely with our clients.”

BGC Contracting, SIMPEC awarded contracts for FMG’s Eliwana iron ore project

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Australia mining and construction firm, BGC Contracting has been awarded a A$24 million ($16.9 million) contract to deliver bulk earthworks and roads at Fortescue Metals Group’s A$1.7 billion Eliwana iron ore project, 90 km west-northwest of Tom Price, in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

The six-month project is underway and BGC Contracting will deliver infrastructure including the construction of the permanent accommodation village earthworks and access road, a RFDS airstrip and a 16 km-long construction access road, the company said. BGC is carrying out all earthworks and civil works necessary to develop initial road facilities, which will also facilitate connection to near-future construction packages to rail and other infrastructure.

The Eliwana project will involve the building of 143 km of rail, a new 30 Mt/y dry ore processing facility and infrastructure. Production is expected to commence in December 2020 with a life of mine strip ratio of 1.1. The project underpins the introduction of a 60% Fe grade product (Fortescue Premium) in the second half of the company’s 2019 financial year.

BGC Contracting CEO, Greg Heylen, said the Eliwana contract is a major achievement for the company’s diversification strategy and allows BGC to extend its expertise in the mining construction sector.

“When you partner with BGC Contracting, you don’t just partner with one of Australia’s largest contractors; you partner up with every person that works on the job. You get their collective experience, their knowledge, and their work ethic. You get 110%,” he said.

“There has been a real increase in resource sector and construction opportunities, particularly in Western Australia and Queensland, and we look forward to this next phase in our growth strategy.”

The day after BGC announced this contract award, WestStar business SIMPEC said it had been awarded a circa A$10 million contract by ATCO Structures and Logistics to design, supply, construct, test and commission the electrical, communications and dry fire systems for an 800-room mine camp at Eliwana.

The contract, SIMPEC’s largest single contract award to date, was scheduled to commence in mid-2019 and was expected to take nine months to complete.

SIMPEC Managing Director, Mark Dimasi, said: “To see the fruits of the concerted effort during the Fortescue Eliwana tender phase is very rewarding for the team. This Tier One project award is a significant achievement for SIMPEC allowing the company to construct alongside some of Australia’s biggest construction companies.”