AMN - BOTSWANA: Barminco wins A$800 million contract

Diversified mining services company Ausdrill Limited's subsidiary, leading hard-rock underground miner Barminco, has been awarded a five-year underground mining services contract at the Zone 5 Mine in Botswana. The contract valued at around A$800 million has been awarded by Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty) Limited

Khoemacau’s Zone 5 operation is a new, large and long-life mine development project in the highly-prospective Kalahari copper belt in Botswana.

Barminco’s scope of services includes mine development, establishment of underground mine infrastructure, diamond drilling and mine production at an initial annual rate of 3.6 million tonnes of copper ore with multiple expansion opportunities.

Subject to closing of the Khoemacau project funding, which is expected shortly, Barminco will begin mining services in December 2019.

Ausdrill managing director Mark Norwell said: “We are very pleased to have been awarded this significant contract in Botswana, a highly desirable country to do business in Africa. This contract award is further endorsement of our acquisition of Barminco and its strong contribution to our international growth strategy.”

Barminco CEO Paul Muller said: “In addition to excellent safety, quality and productivity outcomes at Zone 5, success will also be measured by the creation of a highly skilled local workforce through effective training, skills transfer and leading technology programs.”

In awarding the contract, Cupric Canyon Capital and Khoemacau CEO Johan Ferreira said: “We are delighted to partner with Barminco at Zone 5 to create a safe, large-scale, highly productive and fully mechanised mine, delivering high-quality employment and sustainable skills development and employment outcomes for Botswana citizens.”

Ausdrill is a diversified mining services company. Since its formation in Kalgoorlie, WA, in 1987, Ausdrill has grown significantly and now has operations across Australia, Africa, India and the United Kingdom.

Ausdrill is a leader in open-cut and underground contract mining, diamond drilling, grade control, drill & blast, exploration, mineral analysis, procurement and logistics.

www.audrill.com.au