Mining project house DRA, which recently struck a deal to acquire the Forge Group North America companies, formerly known as Taggart Global, said that it had stuck a second deal, this time a partnership agreement with Australian mine planning consultancy Orelogy, of Perth.

DRA, a private, employee- owned Johannesburg-based engineering and project management services company, which is celebrating its thirtieth year in business, said the latest transaction would boost the support of Australian companies with African projects.

Africa-hardened DRA, which is headed by CEO Paul Thomson, is increasing its potential in Africa and internationally at a time of world focus on the continent, exemplified by this week’s Washington summit attended by 50 of Africa’s 53 heads of State.

“DRA’s critical mass and African experience give us the opportunity to further break through into the African market and provide an enhanced service to a larger client base,” Orelogy MD Steve Craig said.

Australia-based mining companies own more than 400 projects in the African market.

“Africa is DRA’s strength but the clients who have African projects are based all over the world and we need to give them ease of access to a project house that can implement these projects in Africa,” DRA Australasia CEO Clive Hart commented.

DRA mining division MD Neale Goddard added that, while DRA delivered African projects, it did not have strong relationships with the Australian market, which the Orelogy agreement brought to the table.

While the first 30 years of the growth of the 3 000-employee DRA have been overwhelmingly organic, as it expands its North American and Australian footprints, it is opting for acquisitive growth.

The company said that last week’s acquisition of Taggart’s US operations would add more than $100-million to its existing Americas business, along with world-class engineering capabilities.

DRA bought the 21-year-old Taggart with the full support of the management team, which will remain with the company.