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OZ Minerals To Move Ahead With South Australia’s Carrapateena Copper-Gold Mine

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OZ Minerals has announced that it is moving forward with its early contractor involvement (ECI) model for the $916 million Carrapateena mine, which is set to produce an internationally saleable copper concentrate containing gold and copper minerals. An iron-oxide copper-gold deposit, and the second-biggest mine in South Australia, Carrapateena is situated on the eastern margin of the state’s Gawler Craton, 160 km north of Port Augusta.

OZ Minerals will be engaging key staff, confirming the project’s power supply needs and providers, and bringing in early-stage contractors. Under the ECI, contractors involved in the design, construction and engineering works will be asked to provide timelines for identified parcels of work, along with associated fixed maximum prices.

Key announcements to date include:

  • he appointment of global engineering firm Kellogg Brown & Root as project manager;
  • the signing of a power deal with ElectraNet, and
  • the securing of the site, near Port Augusta, for its concentrate treatment plant.

Phase 1 of the work program “Enabling Infrastructure” begins in September 2017 and is expected to continue to end Q1 2018. The installation of an accommodation camp will be completed in this phase, along with the construction of an airstrip. As well, long-lead-time items will be ordered, and the offsite fabrication of the plant will be undertaken.

Phase 2, subject to mining lease approval, is the construction of the mine, including the processing plant, materials handling equipment (including conveyor and crusher), a new access road, underground development and power and communications infrastructure.

The mine is slated to be commissioned in Q4 2019.

Partnering with the Kokatha People

The Kokatha People have a direct, unbroken, and unique relationship with the land on which the Carrapateena Project is located.

A Partnering Agreement entitled “Nganampa palyanku kanyintjaku” or “Keeping the future good for all of us” between OZ Minerals and the Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation was signed in November 2016. Subsequently, in July 2017, OZ Minerals negotiated a Native Title Mining Agreement with the Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation for the activities as approved under Retention Lease 127, and signed a new agreement relating to future stages of the project.

Pernatty and Oakden Hills Stations

The Carrapateena Project and supporting infrastructure are located on pastoral land located within Oakden Hills Station and Pernatty Station, and, according to its most recent Feasibility Study (PDF Here), OZ Minerals seeks to build an ongoing and mutually beneficial relationship with the pastoralists.

Mine Spec 4WD and Contractor Accommodation

As with most major projects in Australia’s mining environment, there will be a need for transport and accommodation for those accessing the Carrapateena site in Phase 1, and into the future. Having access to site specific vehicles is vital, and providing turnkey camp solutions will often make the lives of contractors and staff more conducive to better productivity.

Project Administrators and HR professionals will understand the need for vehicles with adequate safety specifications to be used by visiting stakeholders, staff and subcontractors.

cedrent-vehicle

“Recruit and Procure Locally” Policy

OZ Minerals’ Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Cole, has said the company has a “recruit locally and procure locally” policy, and that wherever possible would hire those from local communities and buy goods and services from local communities. In the construction phase alone Mr Cole said that thousands of people would be involved, directly and indirectly, during the construction phase. As of August 2017, the Carrapateena workforce numbered 60.

Cedrent Congratulates OZ Minerals

The COO of Cedrent Vehicle Hire, Darren Walmsley, congratulates OZ Minerals on the company’s decision to move ahead with the Carrapateena mine, and particularly its decision to recruit and procure locally.

Our South Australian based vehicle hire company is proudly 51% indigenous-owned, and we have an enviable history of building long term relationships with companies and contractors working in remote areas of Australia.

To learn more about our site-specific vehicles and camp solutions, we invite you to contact us on 08 82681025 or email info@cedrent.com.au us today. For more information regarding our vehicle range please visit www.cedrent.com.au.

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