Kerman wins $55m contract

Kerman Contracting has secured a $55 million sub-contract from engineering firm Mondium to complete design and construction works at Rio Tinto’s iron ore mine near Tom Price.

Under the contract, Kerman will build non-process infrastructure and facilities at the Western Turner Syncline 2 (WTS2) site.

This will include a heavy vehicle diesel storage and refueling facility and two remote facility buildings - inclusive of offices, ablutions and crib rooms - as well as an ammonium nitrate and emulsion storage facility and an explosives compound.

Works are due to begin in the second quarter of this year.

Kerman managing director Chris Kerman said the company would carry out construction works alongside Mondium, which secured works at the WTS2 mine site last month.

“This contract award builds on Kerman’s previous successful project outcomes in the Pilbara region in particular for Rio Tinto and other major mining companies,” he said.

The WTS2 mine is located approximately 32 kilometres west of Tom Price, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

In November, Rio Tinto committed to invest $US749 million ($A1 billion) in the mine to facilitate the development of existing and new deposits, including the construction of a new crusher as well as a 13km conveyer.

Mondium was awarded a $400 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by Rio Tinto in January.

Construction works are due to complete in 2021.