Engineering services group Ausenco Ltd
(ASX:AAX) has signed an agreement with Minera Esperanza to perform US$8 million of multi-discipline support and field supervision on the US$1.9 billion Esperanza copper project development in the Antofagasta region in Chile.
Ausenco says its Process Infrastructure business, through Pipeline Systems Incorporated, is performing the services during the construction phase of the Esperanza project.
CEO Zimi Meka says the awards to its Pipeline Systems Incorporated business recognise the work performed for Minera Esperanza during the previous phases and supports the company’s desire to extend its services to existing clients wherever possible.
The Esperanza project consists of a seawater pipeline and a concentrate pipeline crossing of 145 kilometres of the Atacama Desert from 2,300 metres above sea level to the Pacific seashore.
Ausenco says the project will produce copper, gold, silver and molybdenum and is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2010.
Ausenco’s net profits have been rising over the past three years.
