Mining services company Saunders International (ASX:SND) has been awarded a $31.5 million contract for Northern Star Resources’ (ASX:NST) Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines operations (KCGM) in Western Australia.
New South Wales-headquartered Saunders will be responsible for the reconstruction and upgrade of six carbon-in-leach (CIL) tanks, each measuring 12.7m in diameter and 13.5m in height.
The contract also covers the pipework, structural steel and interconnecting launders.
Northern Star is aiming to increase the throughput of its third bank of CIL tanks on site, while enhancing the reliability and availability of the Fimiston processing plant.
The KCGM Operations, which is a 50/50 joint venture between Northern Star and Saracen Mineral Holdings (ASX:SAR), include the Fimiston open pit (Super Pit), Mt Charlotte underground mine and the Fimiston and Gidji processing plants.
The Fimiston processing plant treats more than 13 million tonnes of ore from the Fimiston and Mt Charlotte mines.
The plant was commissioned in 1989 and has since undergone two expansions to become one of the largest milling complexes in Australia.
Saunders Managing Director Mark Benson says the company has created a construction methodology that ensures continuous plant operation throughout the project, minimising shutdowns and maintaining revenue for Northern Star Resources.
“This win comes as we expand our presence and increase our services in Western Australia, supported by the opening of our new regional office and dedicated leadership team in Perth,” he says.
Site mobilisation began in July and the project is expected to contribute to Saunders’ revenue and earnings for the 2025 to 2027 financial years.
Saunders is an engineering and construction company providing design, fabrication, construction, piping, shutdown, maintenance and industrial automation services to the oil and gas, infrastructure, water, power, new energy, mining and defence sectors in Australia and the Pacific Region.
The company has a market capitalisation of $100.3 million.
Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au
Images: Northern Star
