Weir awarded $102m (£53m) redefined flowsheet contract for Reko Diq greenfield copper-gold project in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province

The first call-off order of $50m (£26m), which includes both ENDURON® large format High Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR) and wet screens, will be recognised in Q3 with the remaining orders booked later in 2024 and early 2025.

Weir Group (Weir), a global mining technology leader, has been awarded the contract to provide industry-leading energy efficient, sustainable solutions to the Reko Diq copper-gold project, a 50% owned greenfield development by Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick).

The tier one copper project is located in the Chagai district of Balochistan and is targeting first production in 2028 with an estimated mine life of more than 40 years.

During the first phase of the project, Weir will provide fine grinding, separation and tailings solutions.

Featured equipment includes Weir’s market leading ENDURON® HPGRs, ENDURON® Elite wet and dry vibrating screens, WARMAN® slurry pumps, and CAVEX® hydrocyclones.

Among the equipment to be provided are Weir’s large format HPGRs – the highest capacity design in the market.

The initial $102m (£53m) contract award will be recognised in the order book in accordance with a phased call-off aligned with manufacturing lead times, with $50m (£26m) recognised immediately and the remaining orders to be booked in Q4, 2024 and Q1, 2025.

After commissioning of the equipment, aftermarket support will be provided via an on-site purpose-built service centre staffed with Weir technical personnel.

The receipt of orders associated with the contract award during 2024 does not result in a change to Weir’s FY24 financial guidance as of July 30, 2024.

Weir chief executive Jon Stanton commented on the contract award.

“We are delighted to have secured this significant contract which represents further industry acceptance of Weir’s differentiated sustainable and cost-effective redefined flowsheet solution, with our market leading HPGR technology particularly suited for the water-scarce climate and geology of the Reko Diq copper-gold project,” he said.

“Our engineers have designed an innovative solution that comprehensively addresses the particular challenges of this project and it’s a great example of working in close partnership with an ambitious customer who shares in our purpose to sustainably and efficiently deliver the natural resources essential to create a better future for our world.”

Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow also commented on the contract award.

“Barrick is pleased to be partnering with Weir in delivering sustainable mining and processing in the new mining frontier of Balochistan,” he said.

“The Reko Diq project will grow Barrick’s strategically significant copper and gold portfolios, benefiting all its Pakistan and Balochistan stakeholders.”