THIESS CONTRACTORS PTY LTD & KAISER ENGINEERS COMMISSIONED TO PREPARE EPC
CONTRACT FIXED PRICE FOR SMELTER CONSTRUCTION
Portman Mining Limited’s Lithgow Silicon Metal Project took a further step forward today (Wednesday)
with the announcement that Thiess Contractors and Kaiser Engineers had been commissioned to
jointly produce an Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) Contract Fixed Price for the
construction of the smelter facility near Lithgow, 130 kilometres west of Sydney.
Portman’s Managing Director, Mr Geoff Wedlock said that Thiess and Kaiser were expected to submit
their completed EPC to the Portman board by the end of April 2000, and, subject to confirmation of
the $120 million capital cost outlined in a feasibility study completed in May 1999, and necessary
government approvals having been received, formal approval could be expected soon after.
“This represents a very important step for the project and comes at a time when world demand for
silicon metal is expected to increase strongly, particularly in the area of chemical applications,” Mr
Wedlock said. “Recent price increases for silicon metal reflect the increased demand”.
The Lithgow Silicon Project is being developed by Portman (90%) and its partner Doral (10%) to
produce 30,000 tonnes of high grade silicon metal per annum over a life of 30 years.
Implementation of the project is expected to proceed over three stages with construction expected to
take 18-20 months and first production of silicon metal targeted for late 2001.
Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the smelter facility and associated quartz mine were
completed in December 1999 and lodged, together with development applications, with the New
South Wales Department of Urban Affairs and Planning. The project is classified by the New South
Wales Government as being of State Significance and will therefore be assessed on that basis.
- ENDS -
CONTRACT FIXED PRICE FOR SMELTER CONSTRUCTION
Portman Mining Limited’s Lithgow Silicon Metal Project took a further step forward today (Wednesday)
with the announcement that Thiess Contractors and Kaiser Engineers had been commissioned to
jointly produce an Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) Contract Fixed Price for the
construction of the smelter facility near Lithgow, 130 kilometres west of Sydney.
Portman’s Managing Director, Mr Geoff Wedlock said that Thiess and Kaiser were expected to submit
their completed EPC to the Portman board by the end of April 2000, and, subject to confirmation of
the $120 million capital cost outlined in a feasibility study completed in May 1999, and necessary
government approvals having been received, formal approval could be expected soon after.
“This represents a very important step for the project and comes at a time when world demand for
silicon metal is expected to increase strongly, particularly in the area of chemical applications,” Mr
Wedlock said. “Recent price increases for silicon metal reflect the increased demand”.
The Lithgow Silicon Project is being developed by Portman (90%) and its partner Doral (10%) to
produce 30,000 tonnes of high grade silicon metal per annum over a life of 30 years.
Implementation of the project is expected to proceed over three stages with construction expected to
take 18-20 months and first production of silicon metal targeted for late 2001.
Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the smelter facility and associated quartz mine were
completed in December 1999 and lodged, together with development applications, with the New
South Wales Department of Urban Affairs and Planning. The project is classified by the New South
Wales Government as being of State Significance and will therefore be assessed on that basis.
- ENDS -
