6 January, 2003
Project facts:
- Project value US$167M
- Producing 60,000 tpa copper cathode
- EPCM project awarded 6 January 2003
- First copper production scheduled for March 2005
During the final quarter of 2002, the detailed engineering for the Sepon Copper Project was awarded to a joint venture formed between Brisbane-based Ausenco Limited and Bateman Engineering Limited.
Each of the JV partners brings extensive knowledge and experience of the local physical, cultural and legal environments within Laos, and also of the other project in that area: Ausenco was the EPCM contractor for the Sepon Gold Project (first gold poured in December 2002), and Bateman Engineering undertook the Sepon Copper Project Bankable Feasibility Study which was also completed in the final quarter of 2002.
The Khanong Development Group (KDG) will be responsible for the engineering and ultimately the construction and commissioning of a processing facility comprising autoclave leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning to produce approximately 60,000 tpa of LME Grade 'A' cathode. Included within the scope is all site infrastructure, oxygen plant and power plant upgrade. The plant will be situated within 5 km of the Sepon Gold Plant, whose construction was recently completed by Ausenco.
From in-country experience with the Sepon Gold Project, the KDG will be well informed to manage any difficulties or complex conditions that should arise during the course of the project. For example, the logistics path for equipment onto site is lengthy and involves worldwide shipments into the Port of Laem Chabang (Bangkok) to Mukdahan (Thai border), across the Mekong River by barge to Savannakhet (Lao side of border), and then to site. In addition, transport and freight to site can take place during the monsoonal wet season (June-September), where seasonal flooding is regularly experienced.
Ausenco and Bateman are proud to be associated with the Sepon Copper Project and we looked forward to its successful completion.
Ausenco Limited, a Brisbane and Perth-based company, provides multidisciplined engineering, procurement, project and construction management services for the mining and minerals processing industry. Projects undertaken to date include a broad range of mineral processing areas, both nationally and internationally.
For media & investor enquiries & questions contact
Craig Allen, Chief Financial Officer on 61 7 3112 8200
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Stuart Ratcliffe, General Manager Business Development on 61 8 9223 1900
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Ausenco Limited, provides multi-disciplined engineering, procurement, project and construction management services to the mining, minerals and metal processing industry. The company participates in all phases of a project’s progression, from project scoping studies, process option/technical review assessments, feasibility studies utilised for project financing, through to project design, construction and commissioning. Ausenco’s group of companies also services companies through their operation and maintenance division, supplying key asset management and operational support. These services are applied to projects in a broad range of processing areas, both nationally and internationally.
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