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Fluor commences construction of South Flank ore handling plant
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“South Flank will be one of the largest iron ore processing hubs in the world”
luor Corporation has achieved a significant milestone at BHP’s US$3.6 billion South Flank iron ore project, with the erection of the first 1,500 tons of modules in the ore handling plant. This follows the achievement of 50 per cent project completion, announced by BHP in October 2019. Fluor is providing engineering, procurement and construction management services on South Flank, which is located in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia. When operational, South Flank will be one of the largest iron ore processing hubs in the world. The project will include an 80-million-ton-per-year crushing and screening plant, an overland conveyor system and rail-loading facilities. South Flank engineering and procurement work is being performed from BHP’s office in Perth, with Fluor working together with BHP as an integrated project team. “We are extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish with BHP on this project, including our commitment to achieve diversity through the hiring of indigenous and local team members,” said Tony Morgan, president of Fluor’s Mining and Metals business. “The pioneering integrated team approach on this project is truly a collaborative effort. We look forward to continuing our long and successful relationship with BHP on this project and beyond.” Fluor previously performed the feasibility study for the project before it was awarded the follow-on construction and project management scope. Over the life of the project, it is expected that more than 9,000 people will be engaged in the South Flank work force. Construction began in July 2018, and first production of iron ore is anticipated in 2021.
Canada Cobalt acquires Polymet Labs
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anada Cobalt Works is to acquire PolyMet Labs, the only facility in the Northern Ontario silver-cobalt district that combines bullion pouring, bulk sampling, commercial assaying and e-waste processing. The lab and mineral processing facility in the town of Cobalt, just a short distance from Canada Cobalt’s Castle and Beaver properties, will become the company’s headquarters.
The well-established facility provides commercial assaying, crushing, screening, grinding, bulk sampling, upgrading and
smelting services all in one location. With 100% ownership of the Castle mine, a pilot plant to produce cobalt-
rich gravity concentrates on site, and its proprietary hydrometallurgical process known as Re2OX for the creation of technical grade cobalt sulphate as well as nickelmanganese-cobalt (NMC) formulations, Canada Cobalt is strategically positioned to become a vertically integrated North American leader in cobalt extraction and recovery while it also exploits a powerful new silver-gold market cycle.
World Mining Magazine www.ogsmag.com
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