Tag Archives: NRW Holdings

RCR and Primero Group to deliver crushing and conveying system for Fortescue

Bulk handling, Comminution of minerals, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , ,

RCR Mining Technologies and Primero Group are to work together on delivering a primary crushing plant (PCP) and overland conveyor (OLC) for the Queens project at Fortescue Metals Group’s Solomon Hub operations in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

RCR, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRW Holdings, was awarded the A$80 million ($61.8 million) contract by Fortescue, with Primero being sub-contracted a A$30 million package to provide engineering support and construction services for the PCP and OLC.

RCR previously delivered the Hopper 9 Crushing Facility at Fortescue’s Cloudbreak mine, with the latest award “strategically significant for the business as it showcases our engineering-led delivery of innovative solutions”.

Civil construction and earthworks will be undertaken by NRW’s Civil division, while RCR and DIAB Engineering, together with Primero, “bring a very strong design, manufacture and construction capability to this project with an engineering-led philosophy of solutions and innovation”, NRW said.

NRW Holdings is in the middle of trying to take over Primero following a cash and shares bid that values Primero at A$100 million.

NRW Holdings to add further mining/metals EPC capabilities with Primero acquisition

Comminution of minerals, Metallurgy, Mineral processing, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , , , , , , , ,

NRW Holdings is in pole position to take over Primero Group following a cash and shares bid that values Primero at A$100 million ($74 million).

Primero Directors, who own around 30% of Primero’s equity, have unanimously recommended its shareholders accept the offer in the absence of a superior proposal coming forward.

The addition of Primero, NRW says, would provide significant engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) capability to NRW’s renamed “Minerals, Energy & Technologies” business pillar.

For Primero, meanwhile, it would deliver a “meaningful premium” to recent market trading levels and avoid the need for a potential significantly dilutive capital raising to fund working capital required to deliver its 2021/2022 financial year contracted order book, NRW said. Primero currently has a contracted order book for FY21 of circa-A$285 million and holds preferred EPC contractor status across multiple projects totalling circa-A$900 million.

Managing Director of NRW, Jules Pemberton, said: “The acquisition of Primero will provide NRW with the opportunity to expand its Minerals, Energy & Technologies specialised capability and to leverage the combined expertise of both companies to pursue new business initiatives across a large pipeline of opportunities.

“It builds on NRW’s recent acquisitions of DIAB Engineering and RCR Mining Technologies and represents a further diversification of our strategic platform to offer clients continuity of services across the whole lifecycle of resource projects – from early planning, design, development, construction to operations and maintenance. In addition, Primero is also well positioned to future-focused energy solutions, including lithium and hydrogen technologies.”

Primero Managing Director, Cameron Henry, added: “The combination of NRW’s diversified delivery model coupled with the Primero capabilities will provide our client base with a unique end to end delivery model that will differentiate within the current market and will rapidly accelerate Primero’s growth strategy.

“Our teams have been working well at multiple levels together over the past 12 months and have several projects currently approaching delivery stage that will showcase the model.”

Detailed information relating to the offer will be set out in the Bidder’s Statement and Target’s Statement, which are expected to be dispatched to Primero shareholders in late November and early December 2020, respectively, the companies noted.

NRW Holdings to keep mining Gascoyne’s Dalgaranga gold project

Explosives and blasting, Mine operation news, Mining finance, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , ,

NRW Holdings says it has reached agreements with Gascoyne Resources to keep providing services at the Dalgaranga gold mine, in Western Australia, following the ASX-listed miner’s successful A$125 million ($89 million) recapitalisation process.

NRW has agreed binding terms with Gascoyne for an extension of both mining and drill & blast services for the full life of mine at Dalgaranga, which increases the overall contract value by circa-A$180 million.

In terms of the recovery of all pre-administration debts owed to NRW, it has received A$7 million in cash, as foreshadowed in Gascoyne’s recapitalisation agreement, and received 24 million Gascoyne shares (post-consolidation) valued at A$12 million at the issue price of Gascoyne’s A$85.2 million equity raising. NRW will also receive a further A$13.7 million linked to ounces produced at Dalgaranga and the gold price.

In addition to this, NRW also exercised its rights as part of the Gascoyne Entitlement Offer and now holds, in total, 36.9 million shares in the gold miner (post-consolidation).

Commenting on the work undertaken with Gascoyne and FTI as administrators, Andrew Walsh, NRW’s CFO, noted: “We have worked closely with the teams in both Gascoyne and FTI to support the recapitalisation plan recognising that a viable Dalgaranga project was critical to the success of that process. Output from the project has been consistently above 6,000 oz/mth for most of this year which has provided the basis for a great solution for both Gascoyne and NRW.

“Recent announcements on potential additional resources will provide opportunities for NRW to provide additional services beyond the current life of mine plan.”

Newly acquired NRW Holdings companies to work on Tanami Expansion 2

Mine shafts and equipment, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , ,

In announcing an encouraging 10-month financial performance, NRW Holdings revealed its RCR Mining Technologies (RCRMT) division, working in tandem with DIAB Engineering, had been awarded a works contract at Newmont’s Tanami Expansion 2 project in the Northern Territory of Australia.

In an update on the company’s performance to the end of April, NRW Holdings said it had generated A$1.6 billion ($1.05 billion) of revenue in the 10 month-period from June 2019, representing a record revenue for the group compared with any previous full financial year.

Over this period, the company had progressed with the integration of the BGC Contracting business into the group, following the acquisition at the end of last year.

On contract news, the company said RCRMT and DIAB Engineering, which the company acquired through the BGC buy, had secured a A$17 million fabrication package for Tanami Expansion 2, with the companies manufacturing the head frame and skyshaft steel work for the project.

Jules Pemberton, NRW’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, said: “The award by Newmont to RCRMT provides an opportunity to bring both RCRMT and DIAB Engineering (acquired as part of the BGC Contracting transaction), together to deliver this important project.

“The ability to deliver this work from our regional facilities, in Bunbury, Geraldton and our Welshpool facility, to a major Australian project reflects the growing capability of NRW in the Australian manufacturing sector to provide specialised capital equipment for mining clients.”

Newmont’s board signed off on the TE2 project in October 2019. The expansion includes construction of a 1,460 m shaft, additional capacity in the processing plant, and supporting infrastructure to enable profitable recovery of ore at a depth of 2,140 m below surface.

NRW Holdings to upgrade Olympic Dam airport

Base metals, Mine operation news, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , ,

NRW Holdings’ wholly-owned subsidiary, NRW Contracting, has been awarded an airport upgrade contract with BHP at its Olympic Dam copper-gold-uranium project, in South Australia.

The scope of works includes two separable portions:

  • Airside works – includes bulk earthworks, pavement construction and drainage works for the construction of a new 1,860 m long runway and refurbishment of the existing taxiway and extension of the apron areas; and
  • Landside works – includes reinforced concrete works, structural steel and modular structures and all services for the upgrade of the existing terminal building and the surrounding infrastructure.

The new contract value is circa-A$48 million ($28 million) and is expected to have a duration of around 37 weeks with works commencing in late March.

The project will have an expected peak workforce of around 140 (including subcontractors), according to the company.

NRW’s CEO and Managing Director, Jules Pemberton, said: “NRW is delighted to be awarded this contract at Olympic Dam following the successful acquisition of the BGC Contracting business.

“NRW has a long history with BHP in their iron ore, coal and nickel divisions but this contract marks the first project for the copper operations. I look forward to the safe and successful execution of the works.”

NRW Holdings wins bulk earthworks assignment from Iron Bridge project partners

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

NRW Holdings is about to mobilise a team to carry out bulk earthworks at Fortescue Metals’ majority-owned Iron Bridge magnetite project in Western Australia.

The contractor confirmed it had received a notice of award for the bulk earthworks assignment from the Iron Bridge joint venture (between FMG subsidiary FMG Iron Bridge and Formosa Steel IB) and, while the award remained subject to finalisation, it had been directed to commence mobilisation.

The $2.6 billion Iron Bridge project will see the development of a new magnetite mine (including processing and transport facilities) and associated infrastructure. It will support production of 22 Mt/y (wet) of high grade (67% Fe), magnetite concentrate product, according to the partners. Production is expected by mid-2022. The Iron Bridge site comprises the North Star, Eastern Limb, Glacier Valley and West Star magnetite iron ore deposits and is 145 km south of Port Hedland.

The contract scope for NRW includes the bulk earthworks and drainage for roads, processing plant and infrastructure for the new mine site development. The contract value is around A$70 million ($47 million) and is expected to have a duration of around 45 weeks, NRW said. At its peak, there will be some 200 site based personnel required for the project.

NRW’s CEO and Managing Director, Jules Pemberton, said: “NRW is pleased to be involved in this exciting new project with Fortescue and looks forward to its successful execution.”

NRW receives BGC contract win at FMG’s Eliwana project

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

NRW Holdings’ newly acquired BGC Contracting business has been awarded an infrastructure contract with Fortescue Metals Group at its Eliwana iron ore mine and rail project, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The new contract, which came just two weeks after NRW announced the completion of the BGC acquisition, will support the development of 143 km of rail for the Eliwana project, according to the contractor.

The scope includes the construction of circa-65 km of rail formation, including earthworks, roadworks, drainage works and construction of bridges and pre-cast structures. The contract is valued at close to A$138 million ($96 million) with mobilisation expected to commence soon (completion is scheduled for late 2020). At its peak, the project will employ an expected workforce of 400, utilising over 140 pieces of major plant in the process.

Jules Pemberton, NRW’s CEO and Managing Director, said: “Following the successful acquisition of the BGC Contracting business, NRW’s operational delivery capabilities in the Pilbara are further enhanced, through the addition of the highly skilled BGC workforce into the group, together with the strong technical skillset to safely and successfully deliver the large bridges and concrete structures required on the project.”

In addition to the building of 143 km of rail, Eliwana will include a 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.

NRW Holdings continues spending spree with BGC Contracting buy

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

NRW Holdings has continued with its M&A spree, agreeing to acquire 100% of BGC Contracting in a deal that comes with an equity value of A$116.4 million ($78.8 million) and expands its Mining Technologies pillar.

BGC Contracting provides services to the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors across three core businesses: mining, construction and DIAB Engineering.

NRW responded to media speculation earlier this month by acknowledging it had been selected as the preferred bidder in the sale of BGC Contracting.

The agreement comes less than a year since NRW Holdings acquired RCR Tomlinson’s Mining and Heat Treatment businesses and a little over two years since it purchased Golding Group.

NRW said: “The business is a strong strategic fit adding significant scale through an expanded service offering to a high-profile client base with a long track record of contract renewal and extension.”

The deal is expected to provide significant strengthening of NRW’s ‘Mining Technologies’ pillar through the addition of DIAB Engineering, which provides specialist industrial engineering, shutdown maintenance and fabrication services and generates “annuity style” revenues, NRW said.

BGC comes with a fleet of over 200 items of “high-quality mobile mining equipment” with a book value in excess of A$200 million, according to NRW Holdings. It also has an existing contract portfolio and order book of around A$1.5 billion, which “delivers a step change in scale”.

NRW says the deal is highly earnings per share accretive and could have pre-tax synergies of A$15 million/y, driven by consolidation and reduction in duplication, including facilities and systems.

Jules Pemberton, CEO & Managing Director of NRW, said: “We are extremely pleased to announce the acquisition of BGC Contracting which is strongly aligned with our objective to pursue opportunities to further diversify our revenues and enhance shareholder returns.”

He added: “We are enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead for the expanded NRW group, to leverage the additional capabilities and regional strengths of the combined group and further capitalise on our strong market reputation.

“Together with our combined workforce of around 6,000 people supporting more than 100 projects around Australia, we are well placed to offer a diverse range of services and project solutions to clients across the infrastructure, resources, industrial engineering, maintenance and urban sectors.”

NRW in the lead for BGC contract mining business

Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , ,

NRW Holdings, in response to recent media speculation, says it has been selected as the preferred bidder in the sale of BGC Contracting.

The company said it has consistently stated it is pursuing opportunities to “further diversify its revenues and enhance shareholder returns”, with this including discussions with various parties regarding potential acquisitions. This included talks with BGC Contracting.

Earlier this year, BGC Contracting’s owners, BGC Pty Ltd, said it was exploring options for the group’s national contract mining, maintenance and civil construction business.

While NRW confirmed its preferred bidder status for BGC, it said this status was subject to final documentation and a number of conditions considered “customary in this type of transaction”.

“NRW believes there is significant merit in the acquisition of BGC Contracting and would only enter into a transaction applying a similar discipline to previous transactions (Golding Group and RCR Mining Technologies) on terms that deliver appropriate value for NRW shareholders, including a requirement that any transaction be earnings per share accretive,” it said.

NRW said it has multiple funding options available to it and, furthermore, any transaction would include the assumption of outstanding equipment finance obligations of approximately A$190 million ($131 million), “which is well supported by a considerable fleet of major mobile equipment”.

Golding and BMA strengthen ties with Blackwater civil works contract

Coal technology, Mine operation news, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , ,

Golding Contractors has been awarded a contract by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) for civil works at the Blackwater coal mine in Queensland, Australia.

The NRW Holdings’ wholly-owned subsidiary’s scope of works to be undertaken included establishing alternate access for heavy vehicles outside of the mining footprint; providing civil infrastructure to enable the relocation of a communication mast; relocating critical mine infrastructure (HDPE pipeline, high voltage power lines, fibre optic cable); constructing the drainage structure, to remove water flows from the proposed mining area into an existing creek system; and providing flood protection (levees) for the new and existing mining pits.

As part of this project, around 1.2 Mm³ of earthworks, 4 km of HDPE pipelines, 22 km of fibreoptic cabling and 21 km of overhead cabling is expected to be installed.

The works have an approximate value of A$35 million ($23.7 million) and contract completion is anticipated to be in January 2021.

NRW’s CEO and Managing Director, Jules Pemberton, said it was pleasing to be awarded this contract following work secured in July for the same client at Goonyella, with a value of circa-A$34 million.

Those works, also being undertaken by Golding, include around 950,000 m³ of earthworks and 10 km of new pipework, with completion scheduled in August 2020.