Sirius names GR Engineering for Nova

GR Engineering Services has been named the preferred tenderer for the processing plant at Sirius Resources’ Nova nickel mine in the Fraser Range.

The scope of work involves the Perth-based company providing services under an engineering, procurement and construction contract at the Nova project for a fixed price, and will be managed by Sirius personnel.

Under Sirius’s proposed schedule, contract works are expected to start with detailed engineering in the second quarter of the 2015 calendar year, with construction mobilisation planned to begin in the fourth quarter.

Contracts yet to be awarded for the Nova project include a power station, an overhead power distribution, and bulk earthworks.

RJ Vincent began work on construction of an aerodrome and access roads for Nova in January, around the same time that Barminco began excavating a boxcut at the site.

Sirius said tenders for the outstanding contracts were in the final stages of evaluation.

The company also said it had awarded a contract to the CV LOMAG joint venture for the operation of its mobile crusher, which is on site at Nova.

“Importantly, this involves a number of Ngadju people – the traditional owners of the area,” Sirius said.

GR Engineering managing director Geoff Jones said the company was looking forward to its involvement in the Nova project.

"GR Engineering has demonstrated that it has the technical and operational capabilities to successfully deliver the project and looks forward to working with Sirius to achieve this outcome," he said.

GR Engineering shares were 7.3 per cent higher to 88 cents per share, while Sirius shares lost 6.2 per cent to $2.71 per share at 9:40am.