By Paul Ploumis 30 Jun 2015 Last updated at 08:31:28 GMT
ABU DHABI (Scrap Monster): DRA has won a contract with Ma’aden Gold and Base Metals (MGBM) to operate the Ad Duwayhi Gold Mine in Saudi Arabia. The gold project is located in the desert area between Riyadh and Taif, almost 450 kilometres southwest of Riyadh.
According to sources, Ad Duwayhi is an open pit mine which employs conventional gold extraction processes. The mine operates a gravity-CIL plant, built and installed by the Chinese Hanwha Engineering and Construction. MGBM had constructed a 500-kilometre pipeline to carry water from the nearest municipality to the gold project site. This is the first time that the company has outsourced the operation and maintenance of the plant. It must be noted that the plant has been operated and maintained by its own division-Minopex South Africa since 1996.
The award of the contract is considered as a major step forward for DRA. It will help the company to further expand its footprints in the region which is extensively rich in minerals. A highly experienced team of professionals will be deployed in Saudi Arabia to supervise the pre-commissioning operations of the plant. The team will also establish operations staff at the site. The plant is expected to get completed by end-2014. The mine’s capacity is projected at approximately 180,000 oz of gold per year and more than 1.6 Moz over the life of the mine.
DRA is a global multi-disciplinary engineering group which delivers mining, minerals processing and infrastructure services from concept to commissioning in addition to comprehensive operations and maintenance services. DRA has offices and operations in Africa, Australia, Canada, China, Europe, India, the Middle East and the USA.
