Barminco wins $800m Africa contract

Ausdrill’s underground contractor subsidiary, Barminco, has been awarded a five-year underground mining services contract at a copper mine in Botswana worth around $800 million.

South Africa-based Cupric Canyon Capital awarded the contract at its zone five mine, via its subsidiary Khoemacau Copper Mining.

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

Subject to closing of the Khoemacau project funding, which Barminco said should occur shortly, the contractor will commence mining services in December.

Khoemacau’szone five operation is a new mine located in the highly-prospective Kalahari copper belt in Botswana.

Ausdrill managing director Mark Norwell said the company was very pleased to have been awarded this significant contract in Botswansa.

“This contract award is further endorsement of our acquisition of Barminco and its strong contribution to our international growth strategy,” he said.

Barminco chief executive Paul Muller said success would be measured by the creation of a highly skilled local workforce.

Cupric Canyon Capital and Khoemacau chief executive officer Johan Ferreira said the company was delighted to partner with Barminco at zone five to create a safe, large-scale, highly productive and fully mechanised mine.

“(The contract will) deliver high quality employment and sustainable skills development and employment outcomes for Botswana citizens,” he said.

Shares in Ausdrill were up 5.1 per cent at 11.15am AEST.