Diversified mining services company Ausdrill has announced that its subsidiary, hard-rock underground miner Barminco, has been awarded a five-year underground mining services contract at the Zone 5 Mine in Botswana from Khoemacau Copper Mining worth approximately AU$800 million.

Ausdrill Managing Director Mark Norwell was pleased to have been awarded the contract in Botswana.

“This contract award is further endorsement of our acquisition of Barminco and its strong contribution to our international growth strategy,” said Mr Norwell.

Khoemacau’s Zone 5 operation is a new, large and long-life mine development project located in the highly-prospective Kalahari copper belt in Botswana. Barminco’s scope of services includes mine development, establishment of underground mine infrastructure, diamond drilling and mine production at an initial rate of 3.6 million tonnes per annum of copper ore with multiple expansion opportunities. Subject to closing of the Khoemacau Project funding, which is expected soon, Barminco will commence mining services in December 2019.

In awarding the contract, Cupric Canyon Capital and Khoemacau Chief Executive Officer Johan Ferreira said they were delighted to partner with Barminco at Zone 5 to create a safe, large-scale, highly productive and fully mechanised mine, delivering high quality employment and sustainable skills development and employment outcomes for Botswana citizens.

“In addition to excellent safety, quality and productivity outcomes at Zone 5, success will also be measured by the creation of a highly skilled local workforce through effective training, skills transfer and leading technology programs,” concluded Barminco Chief Executive Officer Paul Muller.

Source: www.barminco.com.au