Construction and engineering specialist Abirgoup has secured a framwork agreement with Rio Tinto over the rail formation work in the Pilbara region./

 

The agreement will see Abigroup work in a collaborative arrangement with Rio Tinto for the delivery of railway earthworks associated with the mining company’s 333 million tonnes per annum expansion program.

 

The agreement will include participating in Early Contractor Involvement programs to finalise engineering, design and costing of work packages followed by construction of the work package.

 

Providing Abigroup continues to meet various Key Performance Indicators, the agreement could deliver a continuous stream of works to Abigroup Western Region over the next five years. 

 

The agreement follows a number of successful projects by Abigroup for Rio Tinto recently - in particular the Cape Lambert 4.3 KP Quarry and Wharf Abutment Works contract and the recently-awarded Rail Formation Earthworks Project, also at Cape Lambert.

 

The current earthworks contracts being carried out by Abigroup at Cape Lambert form part of the 333 Mtpa Project.  The port is being expanded as part of a plan by Rio Tinto Iron Ore to increase production from its Pilbara operations to 333 million tonnes per annum by 2015.