Byrnecut wins a slice of SoG action

CLOVERDALE-BASED mine operator, Byrnecut Mining has been awarded a three-year contract at failed miner Sons of Gwalia’s Greenbushes tantalum operations near Bridgetown.

The large contract miner had been competing with several other companies for the contract that is understood to be for the full underground mining operation at Greenbushes that will commence in January.

Byrnecut refused to comment and the management of Sons of Gwalia, which is currently in administration, did not return calls.

However, a source close to the Greenbushes operation confirmed the contract had been awarded to Byrnecut.

Meanwhile, former long-standing Sons of Gwalia’s chairman Peter Lalor has refused to comment on speculation over whether he and/or his brother, former Sons of Gwalia director Chris Lalor are considering a bid for the miner’s tantalum business.

Sources say it is rumoured the two are preparing a bid for the assets, which administrator Ferrier Hodgson is looking to either sell or restructure.

Mr Lalor said he could neither confirm nor deny the speculation.