METS looks to new growth options

Mineral Engineering Technical Services has added Sanderson Consultants to its stable of engineering firms and signed an agreement to earn-in to Australia Minerals & Mining Group's Glenarty Creek mineral sands project south of Perth.

Melbourne-based Sanderson specialises in engineering and management consulting services across the mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and communication sectors.

It is the latest engineering company to join METS under the Midas Engineering Group banner, joining CDMS Consulting Engineers, Norden Engineering, Wilkie Civil Engineering, and Midas Environmental.

METS director Damian Connelly said Sanderson would represent the group in Melbourne, with its services also in demand in Brisbane and Perth.

"Under the Midas Engineering Group umbrella it is our intent to grow and prosper as a group by both organic and acquisition growth," he said.

"The future possibilities with this acquisition are very exciting."

Separately, METS has signed a heads of agreement with Perth-based AMMG to form a joint venture at the Glenarty Creek mineral sands project, 120 kilometres east of Bunbury.

METS will conduct a series of engineering studies at the project to confirm its economic viability, including a scoping study and a pre-feasibility study.

Upon completion and independent review of the studies, METS will earn 50 per cent interest in the project.

Both companies will then be responsible for funding development at the project in their respective interests.

AMMG managing director Ric Dawson said the signing of the joint venture agreement represented a significant milestone for the project.

The company's shares were steady at 9.2 cents at 11:25am WST.