JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – South Australian copper and gold miner Oz Minerals has awarded engineering groups Downer EDI and Ausenco a $312-million contract at the Carrapateena mine.
The companies have been contracted for the engineering, procurement and construction of a new minerals processing plant, including non-process infrastructure.
The joint venture will also be responsible for power distribution, developing bore fields for regional water supply and for the full communications and telemetry network.
Downer reported on Monday that initial works worth $100-million would get under way under a limited notice period, with construction scheduled to start at the end of the first quarter next year.
“Today’s announcement builds on the joint venture partners’ extensive experience and specialist skills in the development of large-scale materials handling infrastructure and combines Downers’ national construction expertise with Ausenco’s world-class mineral processing capability,” said Downer CEO Grant Fenn.
Oz Minerals approved the development of the Carrapateena mine in August this year. The development, which is estimated to cost $916-million, will produce an average of 65 000 t/y of copper and 67 000 oz/y of gold over a 20-year mine life.