Tag Archives: Mulla Mulla

Aqura to keep comms and entertainment running for BHP Pilbara workers

Communications in mining, IoT, Mining people, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , ,

Specialised ICT and communications provider, Aqura Technologies, has signed a multi-year service contract with BHP that will see it provide managed support for all in-room communications and entertainment system services across the miner’s accommodation villages in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

Aqura, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASX-listed Veris Ltd, announced the BHP contract at the same time as reporting on a similar multi-year agreement with structures, logistics, utilities and energy company, ATCO.

“These contracts continue to demonstrate the execution of Aqura’s strategy to evolve its earnings base with the addition of recurring revenue models, which complement the business’ traditional project execution focus,” Veris said. “The new contract awards expand Aqura’s business model into new markets and evolve the business’ product offering towards a recurring opex ‘as a service’ model to its diverse customer base.”

The three-year agreement is with BHP’s Western Australian Iron Ore business unit, with the contract having already commenced, Veris said.

Karl Paganin, Veris’ Chairman, said: “Securing these contracts with blue-chip customers like BHP and ATCO reflects the continued success in delivering Aqura’s strategy of building our opex-friendly solutions. These provide flexibility for customers to engage with Aqura in a more commercially attractive manner.”

Back in August 2019, BHP opened its upgraded and expanded Mulla Mulla accommodation village (pictured) in the Pilbara, which is expected to accommodate up to 2,500 construction workers for its in-development South Flank iron ore project.

Decmil results buoyed by resources contracts

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , ,

Decmil Group Managing Director and CEO, Scott Criddle, says the group is seeing strong market conditions in the infrastructure, resources and renewable energy sectors across Australia and New Zealand and expects its revenue growth to continue in the near term.

Criddle’s assessment came after the company published its financial results for the six months to end-December, which saw revenue climb 96% higher year-on-year to A$276 million ($196 million) as the company secured several new and larger contracts in the latter part of 2018. Among these was a contract extension from BHP related to work on the Mulla Mulla village in Western Australia.

During the period, the company also completed projects for Fortescue Metals Group, in relation to its Port Hedland tug harbour, and non-process infrastructure for Rio Tinto at its Amrun bauxite mine.

Earnings from continuing operations before interest, tax and depreciation was A$9.3 million, up from $1.3 million a year earlier, while the group generated operating cash flow of A$30.9 million for the six months, up from A$1.7 million previously.

As of the end of February, Decmil said it had around A$650 million of committed revenue for the full 2019 financial year and more than A$400million of work in hand (contracted and preferred) for the 2020 financial year.

BHP grants Decmil extension to Mulla Mulla camp contract

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

Decmil Group’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Decmil Australia, has been awarded an extension to its contract with BHP at the Mulla Mulla camp in Western Australia.

The works, which upgrade and expand the existing Mulla Mulla village, will support current operations at Mining Area C and the South Flank iron ore project, the latter of which is currently in execution.

The extension adds to the A$13 million ($9.5 million) early works package announced in August 2017 and the A$75 million stage one package announced in November 2017.

The second stage includes the refurbishment, relocation and installation of a further 632 rooms, the installation of 10 laundries and the supply and installation of new verandas. The scope also includes internal roads, drainage and concrete footpaths. The works on the second stage will commence immediately.

The 80 Mt/y South Flank iron ore project is aimed at sustaining BHP’s Western Australia iron ore production as the Yandi mine is exhausted over the next five to ten years. The South Flank deposit is around 130 km by road northwest of the town of Newman, and approximately 8 km to the south of the company’s existing Mining Area C operation.

BHP commenced its first blast at the project in September and expects first ore extraction to take place in 2021.