DRA Global (“DRA”), is pleased to announce the recent completion of an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) contract for ASX-listed Northern Star Resources Ltd (“NST”) at the Jundee Gold Mine, near Wiluna, Western Australia.
The Jundee mining operation is situated in the Northern Yandal Greenstone Belt; an area known to contain significant gold deposits. The mine yielded a record 300,000 oz for NST in the year ending 30 June 2020. Jundee’s processing circuit comprises a 2-stage crushing circuit, SAG and ball mill, and conventional Carbon-In-Leach (CIL) plant. The ball mill upgrade, undertaken by DRA, increased processing plant capacity to a nominal design throughput rate of 2.7 Mtpa.
The EPCM scope of services included the provision of engineering design, procurement, project management, construction management and commissioning services for the supply and installation of a new 4.5MW ball mill circuit, and ancillaries retrofitted into the existing milling circuit. Following commissioning of the new ball mill, the existing 2.5MW ball mill and associated infrastructure was de-commissioned.
DRA delivered the project scope under budget and ahead of time, with ore commissioning achieved approximately 6 (six) weeks ahead of schedule in a total duration of 35 weeks. DRA’s project team achieved this outcome by working in close collaboration with the NST project and operations team, the equipment vendors and construction subcontractors. Delivery of the project required overcoming significant challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, including a number of risk mitigation strategies being initiated to maintain the accelerated project schedule.
Northern Star’s General Manager Processing, Simon Tyrrell, said DRA has consistently met and exceeded performance expectations through a collaborative approach to the Jundee ball mill project delivery, with particular commendation on the ability to meet the accelerated schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DRA was engaged on the EPCM contract after having completed an engineering and cost study which included scope definition, design, planning, capital and operating cost estimation. The project follows several previous plant upgrades and studies successfully completed by DRA at the Jundee gold mine which have contributed towards the continuous production growth seen at the mine over the last 4-5 years.
The process plant shutdown and tie-in of the new ball mill was performed in conjunction with the NST operations team and contractors without incident and the process plant has since ramped up to run consistently above nameplate design capacity.
DRA is extremely proud of its achievements as a partner of first choice to NST and its contribution towards the success at the Jundee mine over recent years.
DRA is a diversified global engineering, project delivery and operations management group headquartered in Perth, Australia, with an impressive track record spanning more than three decades. Known for its collaborative approach and extensive experience in project development and delivery, as well as turnkey operations and maintenance services, DRA delivers optimal solutions that are tailored to meet clients’ needs.
With expertise in the areas of project development, mining, mineral processing, plant optimisation, operational readiness, systems integration, operations & maintenance and related water, energy, industrial and infrastructure requirements, DRA delivers truly comprehensive solutions to the resources sector. DRA employs more than 4500 people and offers flexible engineering and operations management services worldwide through its 18 offices.
Enquiries:
Christo Visser
Senior Vice President - DRA Global
christo.visser@draglobal.com
+61402901555
