Tag Archives: NRW Holdings

Golding to add second 600 t excavator and 220 t haul truck to Jellinbah East fleet

NRW Holdings Limited’s wholly owned subsidiary, Golding Contractors Pty Ltd, has signed a variation to its existing five-year mining services agreement with Jellinbah Mining Pty Ltd at the Jellinbah East coal mine in central Queensland, Australia.

The scope of the variation includes operating and maintaining a second 600-t excavator and 220-t rear dump truck fleet to mine pre-strip overburden, increasing the full scope of the agreement to two 600-t mining fleets.

The variation is valued at approximately A$160 million ($105 million) and will commence in April 2024 using existing owned fleet and supplemented with hire equipment, NRW says.

NRW subsidiary Action Drill & Blast Pty Ltd has also been awarded the following contracts in Queensland:

  • Blasthole drilling services for Batchfire Resources at the Callide coal mine. The contract, valued at circa-A$52 million over five years has commenced and will use a workforce of some 40 personnel;
  • A 12-month extension to supply agreement with Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Pty Ltd for a Bowen Basin mine valued at A$30 million; and
  • A services agreement involing drilling for a central Queensland mine. This has a contract term of three years on an agreed rates basis with an estimated value of A$28 million.

These contracts will also use existing ADB-owned equipment where applicable, the company said.

Golding Contractors extends stay at CS Energy-owned Kogan Creek mine

NRW Holdings wholly owned subsidiary, Golding Contractors Pty Ltd, has signed a four-year extension to the existing Contract Mining Agreement (CMA) it has in place with Aberdare Collieries Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of CS Energy Pty Ltd.

Under the terms of the CMA the term is extended until June 30, 2030, with an option for CS Energy to extend the contract up to a further two years.

The value of the four-year extension including mine plan scope changes is approximately A$245 million ($162 million).

Golding will supply all major equipment under the CMA with the extension requiring new capital spend of approximately A$10M in its 2025 financial year. It will also continue to employ up to 100 people at the project, most of which live in the local Chinchilla or broader southeast Queensland regions.

Aberdare Collieries owns the Kogan Creek open-cut mine in the Surat Basin of southern Queensland. The mine supplies their adjacent Kogan Creek Power Station with approximately 2.5 Mt/y of coal.

Golding undertook civil works for the initial construction of the mine before becoming the mine operator in 2006.

Pilgangoora-PilbaraMinerals

Primero to work on next phase of Pilgangoora P680 lithium expansion project

NRW Holdings Limited’s wholly owned subsidiary, Primero Group Limited, has been awarded a contract for Structural, Mechanical, Piping, Electrical and Instrumentation Construction by Pilgangoora Operations Pty Ltd (POPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pilbara Minerals Limited, for the next phase of the Pilgangoora P680 Expansion project, 120km south of Port Hedland, Western Australia.

The award follows a formal Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase to determine construction methodology, cost and schedule.

Under the contract, Primero is responsible for the construction of the crushing and ore sorting facilities. Primero will also assist with providing commissioning, integration and shutdown support. The contract at award has an approximate value of A$64 million ($40.7 million), with the contract scheduled for completion in the September quarter of 2024 with the works commencing immediately.

Primero’s Managing Director, Michael Gollschewski, said: “It is pleasing for Primero to be awarded this contract following the combined efforts of Primero and POPL teams in the successful delivery of the first stage of the P680 Expansion. We look forward to building on what is already a strong partnership with the POPL team.”

NRW’s Managing Director, Jules Pemberton, added: “This award continues to build on the long association between Pilbara Minerals and Primero that began with the design and construction of the original Pilgan Plant and continues with the delivery of the P680 Expansion Project. We look forward to the successful completion of these works.”

The P680 Expansion project could see Pilbara Minerals step-up its production run-rate at the operation to a total of circa-680,000 t/y of spodumene concentrate across the combined Pilgangoora operation.

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

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.”

NRW Holdings wins contract mining gig at Allkem’s Mt Cattlin open-pit lithium mine

NRW Holdings Limited says it has been issued with a Letter of Intent from Allkem Limited in respect to the contract for mining services works at the Mt Cattlin open-pit lithium mine in Western Australia.

Formal award of the contract is subject to finalising outstanding terms, but the anticipated value of the contract is circa-A$332 million ($220 million) over a 36-month duration and the project will be supported by a workforce of approximately 140 people, mostly sourced from the surrounding area.

The works to be performed under the contract include load & haul, drill & blast and material rehandling. NRW will use an existing fleet comprising 200-250-t-class excavators and 150-t-class trucks together with ancillary plant. Mobilisation is currently underway preparing for commencement on site in August.

The Mt Cattlin operation produced circa-194,000 t/y of spodumene concentrate grading up to 6% Li20 in the 2022 financial year to June 30, 2022, according to Allkem.

NRW Chief Executive Officer, Jules Pemberton, said: “I am delighted to announce that NRW has been selected by Allkem as its preferred contractor for the mining services contract. NRW is a world leading provider of services across all aspects of the Lithium sector and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with Allkem.”

Primero to deliver non-process infrastructure for Rio Tinto’s Western Range site

NRW Holdings says its wholly owned subsidiary, Primero Group Limited, has been awarded a contract by Rio Tinto for work at the Western Range mine site, within the Pilbara Region of Western Australia.

Under the contract, Primero will be responsible for the design, supply, construction and commissioning of the non-process infrastructure facilities on site. This includes the refuelling facility, mobile equipment maintenance facility, primary crusher maintenance facility, washdown facilities, wastewater treatment plant and water infrastructure.

The contract is scheduled to run for approximately 12 months commencing in April 2023 and has an approximate value of A$54 million ($35 million).

NRW’s Managing Director, Jules Pemberton, said: “This is an exciting opportunity as we continue to reinforce our long-term relationship with Rio Tinto through the delivery of world-class, non-process infrastructure, design and construction performed in-house by Primero
Group.”

Bellevue Gold appoints NRW Holdings Limited as open-pit mining contractor

Bellevue Gold says it has awarded the open-pit mining and tailings facility construction contract for its namesake mine in Western Australia to a subsidiary of NRW Holdings Limited.

The contract has a total value of circa-A$24 million ($16 million), which Bellevue says is in line with the pre-production capital expenditure forecast.

Mining at the Vanguard open pit is set to commence in late March-early April 2023 and will offer Bellevue the opportunity to generate early cashflow via a toll treating arrangement, it says. Once mined, waste material from Vanguard will form the basis of the tailings facility.

Vanguard is scheduled to provide approximately 10,000 oz of gold, which will be available for processing in mid-2023, well in advance of the completion of the Bellevue processing facility. The company is exploring toll treatment options with mining companies in the region and discussions remain ongoing.

As part of the company’s plan to accelerate underground development and bring on additional ore sources, commencement of the Tribune boxcut will also be brought forward to open up the Tribune mining front.

The addition of the Tribune ore source will increase the number of active working fronts to five in the first year of production, further de-risking the production outlook by providing another independent mining area. Strategically, this will also provide options for drilling the southern extensions of the orebody from underground and allow for a top-down mining method, which will provide the most efficient method of accessing the orebody, according to Bellevue Gold.

The Tribune boxcut is scheduled to commence immediately after completion of the Vanguard open pit. This will create a considerable saving on de-mobilisation and mobilisation costs of the open pit mining fleet.

Construction of the 1 Mt/y nameplate processing facility, being built by GR Engineering, continues to advance on schedule and budget, meanwhile. Bulk and detailed earthworks for the processing plant site have all been fully completed, structural concrete on all critical infrastructure foundations has also been completed with only very minor concrete works remaining. The erection of structural steel for the crushing circuit is well advanced, while both secondary and tertiary crushers are on site and ready for installation. Work is continuing on critical path carbon-in-leach tanks, with five now at full height and well ahead of schedule.

The first two delivery lots of the three for the ball mill and components have landed in Perth ready for transport to site with a third due to land this quarter, well ahead of critical path requirements.

Underground development remains on track with full ramp up of the third jumbo achieved during January 2023. All three jumbos maintained full shift production, achieving >300m per jumbo per month on mostly capital development. Ore development is underway at the Armand work area, while capital development continues to advance towards the Bellevue South/Viago, Deacon Main and Marceline production areas.

Grade control drilling activities are ongoing with two underground diamond rigs operating at the Armand, Marceline and Bellevue South areas. Recent drilling has continued to reinforce the geological model and further de-risk the resources ahead of mining. A third underground rig has commenced targeting resource/reserve growth mainly at the Deacon Lode.

NRW’s Primero to work on Pilgangoora P680 Expansion Project

NRW Holdings subsidiary, Primero Group, has been awarded a contract by Pilgangoora Operations Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pilbara Minerals Limited, for work at the lithium processing plant that is part of the wider Pilgangoora operation, in Western Australia.

The works to be performed under the contract include upgrading the existing Pilgan lithium processing plant through the construction of a new primary rejection facility and preliminary work in connection with a new crushing and ore sorting facility.

Under the contract, Primero will be responsible for detailed earth and concrete works associated with both the primary rejection and crushing and sorting facilities, together with structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation installation associated with the primary rejection facility. Primero will also assist with shutdown, brownfield’s integration and commissioning support to tie the facility into the existing Pilgan plant.

The contract is scheduled to run for approximately eight months, commencing in January 2023, and has an approximate value of A$62 million ($44 million).

NRW Managing Director, Jules Pemberton, said: “This contract builds on a long-term association between POPL and Primero that began with Primero’s involvement in the design and construction of the original Pilgan plant. We look forward to the successful completion of these works.”

The construction activities due to take place on the plant are part of the wider P680 Expansion Project Pilbara Minerals is working on. This could see the company step-up its production run-rate at the operation to a total of circa-680,000 t/y of spodumene concentrate across the combined Pilgangoora operation.

NRW subsidiary wins drill and blast contract at Talison’s Greenbushes lithium mine

NRW Holdings’ wholly-owned subsidiary, Action Drill & Blast Pty Ltd, has been issued a notice of award by Talison Lithium Australia for drill and blast services at the Greenbushes lithium mine in Western Australia.

This award follows the longstanding relationship Action has with Talison Lithium since Action commenced drill and blast activities on site in 2011.

The seven-year (plus two-year option) contract is valued at circa-A$300 million ($213 million) over the initial period and is scheduled to commence in July 2023.

The scope of works under the contract include ore, waste, pre-split and RC grade control drilling together with loading, stemming and initiation of bulk explosives. Plant requirements for the project will be sourced from within the Action business together with new equipment capital expenditure of circa-A$30 million over the life of the contract, it said.

The contract will require a peak workforce of some 160 personnel, including the 56 currently employed on site.

Action said the majority of the workforce will be sourced from the local community, building on current relationships and training programs.

Together with its predecessor company, Talison Lithium has been producing lithium concentrates at Greenbushes since 1983, which are ultimately used in lithium-ion batteries. The Greenbushes project, directly south and adjacent to the town of Greenbushes in Western Australia, is a major supplier of lithium mineral concentrates.

Atlantic Lithium brings in Primero for FEED flowsheet services at Ewoyaa

Atlantic Lithium has awarded the processing plant front-end engineering design (FEED) contract for its Ewoyaa lithium project in Ghana to Primero Group.

Under the terms of the agreement, Primero will provide services to optimise the project’s flowsheet, identify long lead items, look to maximise the project’s long-term profitability, reduce execution risk and ultimately support the advancement of the project towards becoming a financially and operationally robust lithium-producing mine, Atlantic Lithium said.

The value of the contract is $980,000; the consideration of which is to be paid in accordance with the three-stage earn- in agreement the company has with Piedmont Lithium Inc to fund the project towards production. This could see Piedmont invest up to $103 million in the project to eventually deliver a 1.5-2 Mt/y run of mine operation for a 27.5% stake in Atlantic Lithium’s Ghana portfolio.

Primero, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRW Holdings Limited, specialises in the design, construction and operation of global resource projects. The group has extensive experience in delivering large-scale construction contracts, including in the lithium industry and in West Africa, demonstrating significant expertise, versatility and competence, Atlantic Lithium says.

Primero, the company says, has provided services for a number of lithium projects with comparable flowsheets to Ewoyaa’s, including Bald Hill (Tawana Resources), Pilgangoora (Pilbara Minerals), Finniss Lithium (Core Lithium), Mt Holland (Covalent Lithium) and Xuxa (Sigma Lithium).

Following the recent completion of the 47,000 m resource and exploration drilling program at the Ewoyaa project, Atlantic Lithium is currently working towards producing an updated mineral resource estimate (MRE), intended to be announced in the March quarter of 2023. The updated MRE will then be used to support a definitive feasibility study, expected to be completed by mid-2023.