NRW wins $138m FMG contract

NRW Holdings has been awarded works at Fortescue Metals Group’s Eliwana iron ore mine and rail project in the Pilbara under an infrastructure contract valued around $138 million, announced last month.

Its subsidary, BGC Contracting, has been tasked with building 65 kilometres of rail as well as bridges and precast structures, and is required to complete earthworks, roadworks and drainage works at the site.

The contract is expected to employ a peak workforce of 400, with the project scheduled for completion in late 2020.

The announcement comes nearly a month after NRW purchased BGC Australia’s contracting business for $116.4 million, which NRW managing director Jules Pemberton said enhanced the company’s operational deliveries in the Pilbara region.

“Through the addition of the highly skilled BGC workforce into the group, together with the strong technical skill set, (NRW can) safely and successfully deliver the large bridges and concrete structures required on the project,” he said.

Also commenting on the award was BGC Contracting chief executive Greg Heylen.

"We remain committed to supporting the safe delivery of this important project for Fortescue and this award continues our longstanding track record of delivering mine infrastructure projects in the Pilbara region,” Mr Heylen said.

NRW had previously supplied apron and belt feeders for the Eliwana project through its RCR Mining Technologies business, acquired in January 2019.

FMG’s $1.7 billion Eliwana project includes the construction of a total 143km of rail and a new 30 million tonnes per annum dry ore processing facility, with first ore expected in December 2020.