Fluor mining history

2/11/2016 Fluor Mining History (textonly)
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Fluor’s global Mining Experience spans six decades. Capable of delivering complex, remote mining projects,
Fluor offers Clients the reliability of proven experiences on some of the world’s toughest projects. Fluor
executes diverse scopes of work on both largescale and smallscale mining projects.
Fluor serves the diverse needs of the global mining and minerals industry by providing valueadded, integrated
solutions to help Clients maximize longterm productivity and profitability. Whether providing engineering,
procurement and construction management services in South America; mobile equipment and tool services in
the Asia Pacific region; or maintenance and asset productivity services in North America, Fluor has the
expertise to safely deliver new mining capacity, improve existing mine operational efficiencies and train local
resources for longterm sustainability.
Fluor enters the Mining industry.1950s
Civil, mechanical and electrical works updated for Mount Isa Mines
Civil and industrial projects undertaken in the 1950s were forerunners of Fluor’s later ventures in
Australia’s mining industry. The 1956 Mount Isa project in northwest Queensland’s copper, lead, silver
and zinc province was a significant expansion of the existing mines. The project was completed by
Utah, which was later acquired by Fluor.
1956
Fluor acquires Utah Construction and significant mining experience.1960s
First delivery of iron ore made to Finucane Island via 130km rail from Mount Goldsworthy to
Port Hedland
The Mount Goldsworthy Mining Associates consortium designed and built crushing, stockpiling,
reclamation and rail loading facilities for Goldsworthy Mining Limited, Western Australia, in the first of
an ongoing series of iron ore handling, railway and shipping projects involving Fluor in mining
infrastructure throughout the Pilbara region. A 130kilometer standard gauge railway was built to
transport the iron ore from Mount Goldsworthy to Port Hedland.
1965
Fluor forms mining subsidiary with acquisition
Fluor Corporation acquires Utah Construction's engineering and construction division, augmenting
Fluor's Mining and Metals division.
Fluor is a recognized leader in developing large, remote and technically complex mines and supporting
facilities and infrastructure around the world.
Read More
1969
Fluor employs latest mining techniques in Nevada
Fluor used advanced techniques for mechanical tunneling on the River Mountain Project, a fourmile
conduit connecting Lake Mead, Nevada with the Las Vegas Valley. The concretelined tunnel
accommodated up to 132,000acre feet of water a year a boon for the high desert communities the
Southern Nevada Water project served.
1969
Utah International's Shirley Basin Uranium Mill operational
Utah International awarded Fluor the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the Shirley
Basin Mill, a secondgeneration uranium plant. The new plant was the most advanced mill of its kind at
the time. The compact design, placing most of the processing units within one area, incorporated many
features used for the first time in the uranium processing industry.
The yellowcake shipped in 50gallon drums to the customer where it was further processed to form the
fuel for nuclear reactors.
Learn more about this project.
1969
Fluor's presence in the Mining industry expands globally in Australia and South America.1970s
Fluor constructs the Goonyella Coal Mine
Fluor provided design and construction services on the GoonyellaHay Point Coal Processing Facility
and Port. This project was the second major coal project completed by Fluor in Queensland, Australia.
In addition to completing the coal processing facility and the port for the Goonyella Mine, Fluor also
built the 140mile railway linking Goonyella with Hay Point. Fluor provided these services to
Queensland Government Railways as a separate contract.
1970
Fluor constructs Island Copper Complex for Utah International
The Island Copper Mine was located on the northern end of Vancouver Island about seven miles south
of Port Hardy, in a remote logging and fishing community with a population of 2,000.
Fluor built the Island Copper Complex in 1971. The concentrator had a capacity to process 33,000 tons
of ore per day. At the time, Island Copper's six autogenous grinding mills comprised the largest totally
autogenous grinding circuit in the copper industry.
1971
Fluor mobilizes to construct a grassroots uranium processing facility at Rabbit Lake1971
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Fluor’s scope of work included a 28,000square meter main complex that housed the process units,
acid plant, power plant, laboratory, offices, workshop and warehouses.
Located 800 kilometers northwest of Saskatoon, Rabbit Lake was a very challenging project to execute
in extreme environmental conditions. In spite of the challenges and only short periods of summer
construction, the project was completed on schedule in April 1975.
Pima capacity boosted to 53,500 tons of copper/molybdenum ore daily
The Pima IV project was completed in 1972. The expansion of the Pima Mining Company's complex,
near Tucson, Arizona, increased the mine's capacity from 39,500 to 53,500 tons of copper/molybdenum
ore per day.
Fluor added new crushing, stockpiling and flotation facilities. Additionally, Fluor installed the largest
radial stacking conveyor in the world at 256 feet long with a capacity of 3,200 tons per hour. The project
was the fourth expansion since 1955, when Utah Construction built the original mill.
1972
Rosario Dominicana, S.A. Gold and Silver Ore Processing Facility project awarded
Fluor provided engineering and procurement for this 8,000 tpd gold and silver ore processing facility.
The plant uses semiautogenous grinding, sodiumcyanide leaching and fire refining unit processes.
1973
LBar Uranium Mine and Mill EPC work begins for Sohio and Reserve
Fluor was selected by Sohio and Reserve because of its extensive experience in second generation
uranium processing mills. Fluor performed the early feasibility studies and ultimately took overall
responsibility for engineering, procurement, and construction of the LBar underground mine, laboratory
and mill complex, which includes semiautogenous grinding, acid leaching and countercurrent washing.
1973
Fluor designs and constructs secondary crushing and screening plant for Hamersley Iron Ore
Fluor designed and constructed the secondary crushing and screening plant at Paraburdoo for
Hamersley Iron Ore. The iron ore was hauled by trucks from the mine to the primary crusher and belt
conveyed to stockpile for secondary crushing.
1973
Copper ore moves from Cuajone to Ilo
Fluor managed the construction of Southern Peru Copper Corporation's mining and oreprocessing
project at Cuajone. At an elevation of 11,600 feet, the Cuajone mine is located 1,400 kilometers
southeast of Lima. The project, which began in 1971 with preliminary design was concluded in mid
1976.
1976
Cordero Coal Mine begins operations in Gillette, Wyoming
The project began with a Fluor feasibility study of the 6,540acre federal lease. It proceeded through
engineering, procurement and construction management for the entire coal mine, handling, preparation
and shipping facilities. The processing and loading facilities were designed to handle 12 million tons of
coal per year with provision for later expansion to the present 24 million tons.
Fluor successfully completed the Cordero Mine project ahead of schedule and under budget.
1977
Cyprus Bagdad Copper Expansion project completed
The Cyprus Bagdad Copper Company selected Fluor, in a joint venture with Holmes and Narver, for the
engineering, procurement, and construction of expanded copper concentrating facilities at the Cyprus
Bagdad Copper Company operation in western Arizona. The $240 million expansion project boosted
mine production from 6,000 tons of copper ore a day, to 40,000 tons daily, a 700 percent increase in the
mine’s capacity.
1977
U.S. Steel/Niagara Mohawk's Clay West Uranium Plant operational
The Clay West Plant was designed to produce a 2,200 pound /day of U3O8 yellow cake.
The Clay West Plant was a largescale plant using insitu carbonate leach process. The ammonium
carbonate solutions were injected into the ore body, and the pregnant uranium solutions were pumped
out through a series of wells. Fluor designed both the well gathering systems and the porter resin ion
exchange process units. Loaded resin was trucked to the elution facility.
1977
Codelco's Chuquicamata copper ore concentrator expanded
Fluor provided the engineering and procurement services for the expansion of Codelco's Chuquicamata
copper ore concentrator. This project expanded the Chuquicamata concentrator from 74,000 to 96,000
mtpd. Facilities included fine ore bins, rod and ball mill circuit, flotation and tailing thickening.
During the course of the project, Fluor prepared detailed specifications and conducted evaluation and
selection of the world's first semiautogenous grinding (SAG) mills driven by 10,000 HP wraparound
motors. The two SAG mills were capable of grinding 50,000 metric tons of copperbearing ore per day.
1979
Sasol CoaltoGas Project in South Africa completed
Fluor constructs the first largescale commercial liquid fuelsfromcoal plant known as Sasol II in
Secunda, South Africa, eliminating South Africa's dependency on imported gas. Sasol processes sub
bituminous coal into gasoline, diesel, jet fuels, ethylene, ammonia, sulfur and various chemicals and
coal tar products.
1979
Fluor adds significant Mining expertise with Canadian acquisition.1980s
Coal Creek’s grassroots coal mine production starts up
Fluor performed engineering, procurement, construction and startup assistance on the Coal Creek
Mine. The mine was comprised of coal processing, storage, loadout and ancillary facilities for producing
12 million tons per year of lowsulfur coal. Plant design called for sufficient output to load unit trains on
a sevendayperweek schedule at a rate of 10,000 tons per hour. Coal Creek was a grassroots plant
requiring complete and integrated facilities with the ability to receive, process and ship coal.
1981
El Indio's remote gold, silver and copper mine processing commences
Fluor provided engineering, procurement, construction management and startup services to Compañía
Minera El Indio for gold, silver and copper processing facilities at a site 14,000 feet up in the Chilean
Andes.
1981

Fluor provides construction management services for MIM Holdings Ltd.'s Abbot Point Coal
Mine
Fluor provides construction management services for MIM Holdings Ltd.'s Abbot Point Coal Mine. At
construction, the mine was one of Australia's largest deep water coal shipping ports.
1983
Fushun coal production modernization study delivered
Fluor completed the feasibility study, basic engineering and consulting services for the modernization
and expansion of the oil shale opencut coal production facility at the Fushun Mine. The mine was first
opened in the early 1900s and at the time was the largest in China.
1983
Fluor completes largest industrial coal to liquids facility in the world for Sasol
Fluor completed the construction of the Sasol II and III in Secunda, South Africa. Sasol processes sub
bituminous coal into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, ethylene, ammonia, sulfur and various chemicals and
coal tar products.
1983
Minera Escondida Copper Mine project begins
Fluor delivered multiple projects at the Escondida mine, 3,200 meters above sea level in the Chilean
Andes Mountains. Services included feasibility studies, engineering, procurement, and construction
management of major processing facilities, pipelines, ports, and infrastructure. The first Fluor project at
Minera Escondida commenced in 1986, and subsequent projects were valued at more than $2 billion in
capital investment. Fluor built the original Escondida copper concentrator plant and all support
infrastructure, including the Coloso port near the city of Antofagasta. Escondida commenced production
in mid1990.
1986
Engineering underway for Codelco's El Teniente expansion
Fluor engineered an expansion to the El Teniente SAG Mill Expansion. The engineering encompassed
an addition of a 25,000 tpd module to the Colon concentrator.
1987
Fluor acquires Wright Engineers Limited in Vancouver
Fluor's acquisition of Wright Engineers Limited added significant mining and metals expertise to Fluor in
Canada. To date, Fluor continues to maintain an office in Vancouver to provide engineering support for
mining and metals projects around the globe.
1988
Fluor awarded detailed design for Colomac's Gold Processing Mine
Fluor provided detailed design, procurement, construction management and startup services for all the
process facilities at Colomac's 10,000 tpd gold processing facilities. The remote location and the
severe climate of Canada's Northwest Territories offered many challenges. Despite those challenges,
Fluor completed the project on time and within budget.
1988
First commercial use of an oxygen scrub/recycle system at gold ore treatment plant
Fluor performed an engineering study aimed at optimizing a plant expansion to this 3,000 tpd refractory
gold ore treatment plant following the discovery of a new gold ore body adjacent to the mine.
Fluor provided process design, a feasibility study, detailed design, procurement and construction
management assistance for the leaching refractory gold ore in pressure oxidation autoclaves. These
autoclaves were installed and this was the first commercial use of oxygen scrub/recycle system.
1988
Hilton LeadZinc Mine Expansion was one of a number of projects completed for Mount Isa
Mines
In 1989, Fluor expanded the Hilton mine with a new leadzinc concentrator.
1989
Bullfrog Gold Project concludes in Beatty, Nevada
Fluor performed engineering, procurement, construction management and startup services for Dallhold
Resources' Bullfrog Gold Project in Beatty, Nevada. The mine is an 8,220tpd openpit gold mine. The
orebody is mined for gold and silver.
1989
Highland Valley Copper expansions online
The Highland Valley Copper mine provided copper ore to the Lornex concentrator. Fluor engineered and
managed construction for the two inpit 60/89 movable crushing stations and the overland conveyor
transportation systems from the pit to the concentrator. The concentrator was expanded by the addition
of the two Highmont SAG mills, a Highmont stacker and a new coarse ore stockpile.
1989
Fluor receives recognition for Mining projects.1990s
Expanded Freeport Indonesia Copper/Gold Mine completed
Fluor performed detailed engineering, procurement and construction services for the expansion of the
copper/gold mining complex. The expansion involved threestage crushing, grinding, rougher and
cleaner flotation, regrinding, concentrate and tailing thickening, concentrate slurry pipeline, filtering and
loadout.
1991
Marillana Creek Mine at Yandicoogina wins Western Australia Engineering Award
Fluor was awarded a contract by BHP Iron Ore Ltd. to perform engineering, procurement and
construction management of the Marillana Creek Mine facilities including a stacker, loadout tunnel and
32 km of new, heavyhaul railway to link to BHP’s existing rail system
The project took just 10 months from earthworks to production and earned BHP Iron Ore the Institution
of Engineers Western Australia Award for outstanding engineering achievement in the Resource
Development Category. The Marillana Project was one of two major developments of the highpurity
iron ore deposit at Yandicoogina.
1992
Nickel underground mine reopens in Garson,Ontario
The Garson Mine operated for almost 50 years before it was closed in 1987. In 1992, INCO
commissioned a study to reopen the mine. Fluor provided engineering, procurement and construction
management services for the 2,000 tpd nickel underground mine in Garson, Ontario. Fluor renovated
existing facilities as well as constructed new facilities.
1994
Two stage expansion of the Escondida mine raises the mine and concentrator capacity to 60,000
tpd
Minera Escondida Ltda. operates the Escondida mine and copper concentrator located in the Atacama
desert 160 km. southeast of the port of Antofagasta in northern Chile and the concentrate dewatering
and shiploading facilities at their port in Coloso, south of Antofagasta. Fluor completed the original
grass roots Los Colorados copper concentrator project and subsequently provided a full range of
1994

services on expansion projects at the site. Phase I and II expansions raised the mine and concentrator
capacity to 60,000 tpd by the end of 1994.
Compania Minera's Quebrada Blanca 75,000 tpy copper mine on line
Fluor provided EPCM services for this copper leach/SXEW facility on a brownfield site, at 4,400 meter
msl elevation. The project included primary crushing, secondary/tertiary crushing, agglomeration, heap
stacking, thin layer leaching, SX system, EW tank house, powerhouse, 138km access road, water well
field, 35km water pipeline, shops, offices, and camp. Copper is recovered from the leaching solutions
in three parallel SX trains, designed to process a nominal 2,769 cubic meters per hour of PLS. The EW
plant is designed to produce a nominal 216 tons per day or 75,000 tons per year of high grade copper
cathodes. A fully automated cathode washing and stripping machine is incorporated to process 360
cathodes per hour to harvest the copper.
1994
Sasol Twistdraai Coal Washing Plant awarded
Sasol awarded Fluor the engineering and construction of the Sasol Twistdraai Coal Washing Plant near
Secunda. The washing plant included a 1430 tph cyclone module (3 off) with fine coal spirals, 80mm
diameter dense medium cyclones, 2cyclone module treating 800 tph and filter press plant.
1995
Fluor awarded Perú’s first largescale heapleaching project by Minera Yanacocha S.R.L.
Minera Yanacocha S.R.L. (MYSRL) was the largest gold producer in Latin America and represented
Perú’s first largescale heapleaching operation in 1995. MYSRL consisted of several mine pits, gold
recovery plants and leach pads. As part of a global alliance with Newmont, Fluor provided engineering,
procurement, construction and maintenance services for a series of expansions, upgrades and
maintenance at Yanacocha.
1995
Bing Bong Port Project awarded the Northern Territory Earth Award
Fluor provided engineering, procurement and construction management for the McArthur River mine,
Bing Bong port and shiploading facilities. A 60meter wide, fourkilometer channel was dredged to
barge the concentrate from the port to the bulk carrier. The project was handed over to the Client two
months ahead of schedule and five per cent less than the approved budget. The Bing Bong Port project
was awarded the Northern Territory Earth Award.
1995
Placer Dome's Zaldivar Heap Leach SXEW project engineered
As part of Placer Dome's Zaldivar Heap Leach SXEW project, Fluor engineered a heap leaching and
SXEW facility producing 125,000 tons of cathode copper per year. We also engineered the heap leach
stacking system. The engineering work was executed from Fluor's Vancouver office.
1995
WMC announces plans to increase refined copper output at Olympic Dam
For Fluor, this was an encore engagement. It had already worked with WMC at Olympic Dam, providing
the original project’s feasibility study, engineering, procurement and construction management for the
hydrometallurgical plant, copper smelter and refinery, and the procurement and construction
management for all surface processing facilities. Fluor also provided technical input to the concentrator
and smelter design, as well as procurement and construction management for all metallurgical plants.
1996
Phase III Expansion at Escondida increases copper concentrator capacity to 115,000 tpd
Phase III of the Escondida expansion increased the concentrator's capacity to 115,000 tpd. The scope
included inpit crushing, conveying, grinding, flotation, tailings disposal, process water, a new 165km
pipeline, and an expansion to the filter plant at the port site.
1996
Fluor completes Cuajone Copper Mine Expansion
The Cuajone Mine, located in the rugged Perúvian Andes at 12,000 feet, was the largest single copper
mine and smelter complex ever built.
Fluor performed detailed engineering, procurement and construction management services along with
training for 7,000 local workers at peak.
1998
BHP Cannington Silver/Lead Mine commissioned
A Fluor subsidiary worked on design and procurement of equipment for primary crushing, autogenous
grinding, differential flotation and tailings disposal, together with the regrind, leaching, dewatering,
handling and transport of concentrates. Transports were by road train to a rail loading facility at Yurbi,
about 15 kilometers east of Cloncurry, and by rail to a modern mineral concentrate handling facility at
Townsville.
1997
Nickel and cobalt from laterite ores recovered at Anaconda Limited's Murrin Murrin mine
The Murrin Murrin project called for ore processing rates of almost four million tonnes per annum to
produce 45,000 tonnes of high purity nickel and 3,000 tonnes of high purity cobalt, per year. Fluor
developed an aggressive schedule that began in January 1997 and had precommissioning completed
in 22 months. The big challenge was extracting nickel from laterite ore, rather than from the traditional
sulphide ore smelting. The new process called for highpressure acid leaching in four gigantic titanium
lined autoclaves.
1997
Copper concentrator, 125,000 tpy oxide leach/SXEW plant at Minera Escondida complete
Fluor provided feasibility study and complete EPCM services for a 125,000 tpy oxide leach/SX–EW
facility, including a 54,000 tpd crushing and screening plant, materials handling, heap leaching and
ancillaries. Project completed ahead of schedule and under budget in 1998.
1998
Fluor completes Ernest Henry Copper/Gold Mine and Processing Plant three months ahead of
schedule
The first truckload of copper concentrate rolled out of the Ernest Henry Copper Mine, 38 kilometers
northeast of Cloncurry in central Queensland three months ahead of schedule. Ernest Henry Mining’s
development team and Fluor brought the project to production in 21 months, yielding better production
rates than the design had anticipated, making it Australia’s third most productive copper mine at the
time.
Fluor prepared the feasibility study and built the greenfield gold/copper mine and its infrastructure,
including a 115kilometer water supply pipeline and an allweather road between Cloncurry and the
mine.
1998

Lomas Bayas SXEW plant constructed
Fluor provided selfperform engineering and construction services on a lump sum basis for this low
cost, 60,000 tpy greenfield copper SXEW facility in northern Chile. Facilities include ore crushing and
conveying, tub heap leach pad, SXEW plant, administration building, maintenance, 220 kV substation,
permanent camp, 140 km water supply pipeline, and water treatment plant.
The SXEW facility consisted of a single train solvent extraction circuit and a 180 cell electrowinning
tankhouse. A Kidd Technology automated stripping machine was provided to strip 250 cathodes per
hour. The power supply is received from the utility company at 220 kV in the main substation, where
two main stepdown transformers distribute power at 6.6 kV throughout the plant.
1998
Palabora Underground Mine expanded
Fluor provided engineering, procurement and construction management for the 60,000 tpd underground
copper mine and modifications to existing metallurgical plant.
1999
Copper concentrator capacity at Escondida increased to 132,000 tpd
In 1999, Fluor completed the Phase 3.5 expansion of Escondida. The expansion increased the mine
and concentrator capacity to 132,000 tpd.
1999
Fluor achieves major Mining milestones in Australia and South Africa.2000s
Production begins at MIM Enterprise Copper Mine
MIM decided to develop its Enterprise Copper Mine deep under its existing operations. Careful planning
was vital to minimize disruption to ore production and haulage.
At the time, this would be Australia’s deepest mine. Fluor provided engineering, procurement and
construction management to access the ore by sinking an internal shaft that connected with an existing
shaft, which then reached 1,900 meters into the earth. Additionally, Fluor designed the backfill plant at
Enterprise.
2000
Fluor successfully completes EPC services at Batu Hijau, a 120,000 tpd copper/gold mine
Fluor performed engineering, procurement, and construction on the world’s largest greenfield mining
project at the time on the remote island of Sumbawa in Indonesia with no infrastructure, a sparse and
unskilled workforce, amid economic and political turmoil. Fluor completed engineering in 1996, and
completed construction in 2001.
2001
Fluor completes De Beers' CTP project in Kimberley
Fluor successfully completed the CTP Project, a diamond processing facility for De Beers in
Kimberley. The plant was designed to treat several old tailings dumps for the recovery of diamonds
located in the area. The plant was designed to be able to handle a wide range of ore characteristics.
The fine tailings disposal is achieved by pumping high density slurry a distance of 5 km, using the
largest available positive displacement pumps, in only the second installation of its type in South
Africa.
2001
Fluorled Mine & Port Development JV selected for BHP Billiton's multibillion dollar expansion
BHP Billiton’s Iron Ore Expansion Programme was implemented in 2001 to increase their iron ore
capacity and operations in the region. Market factors driving the programme included: ‘Speed to market’
to capitalise on the high iron ore demand driven primarily by China; deliver an expansion ‘programme’
rather than a series of standalone projects; and the need for a dependable EPCM service provider
during the boom times of the Western Australia economy. A series of projects followed over the next 14
years.
2001
Production begins at Albian Sands Muskeg Oil Sands Mine
Fluor performed EPC and maintenance for the Muskeg River Oil Sands Mine constructed as part of the
Athabasca Oil Sands project. The project was designed to produce 155,000 barrels per day of bitumen.
2002
Bwana Mkubwa facility completed in Zambia
Bwana Mkubwa was one of the world’s lowestcost copper operations. The twophase expansion
included conversion from a tailings leach to an ore tank leach operation. Fluor provided fasttrack
services for engineering, procurement, construction support and commissioning of the project.
2002
South Africa's largest grassroots gold mine built for Avgold in Free State
Fluor performed detailed design of the processes, structures and mechanical and electrical works, as
well as construction of Avgold's Target Gold Mine Processing Plant. The facility, completed in 2002,
was the first large grassroots gold mine built in South Africa in 20 years.
2002
Phase IV Expansion at Escondida commissioned
The Phase IV Expansion at the Minera Escondida Copper Mine increased the mine and mill capacity
from 132,000 tpd to 253,000 tpd. Additionally the Laguna Seca concentrator was added as part of this
expansion.
2002
Fluor recognized for WAIO Programme effortsThe Fluorled joint venture, MPD JV, was engaged by BHPBIO to assist in the execution of its
iron ore expansion projects to increase mining, processing, rail transportation, stockpiling and
shiploading capabilities across BHP Billiton’s Pilbara iron ore assets.
The Programme received numerous awards, including:
Institute of Engineers Australia National Award 2004 (Rail Project)
Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA) Biennial Industry Award 2004
WA Engineering Excellence Awards 2004 (Rail and Mine/Port Projects)
2004
Kansanshi Copper Oxide Ore Circuit Upgrade commissioned2005

Fluor’s scope of work was to provide engineering and design services to support procurement and
construction of plant equipment for treating the targeted 12 million tpa of sulphide ore. The scope also
included (for the oxide plant) two countercurrent decantation thickeners and a new gravity concentrator.
Engineering services comprised civil, structural, architectural, mechanical and piping design.
Mine & Port Development JV completes BHP Billiton's Rapid Growth Project 2 (RGP2)
The RGP2 project, part of BHP Billiton's Western Australia Iron Ore Growth Programme, included the
development of a new mine at Orebody 18, comprised of an ore handling plant and nonprocess
infrastructure and services. Additionally, the JV modified the Orebody 24 mine to produce lump and fine
products, constructed a new car dumper at the port, and built additional rail to support the new Orebody
18 mine and car dumper.
2006
Fluor delivers EPCM services for Escondida's Sulphide Leach Project
The project involved heap leaching, a twotrain SW plant, EW tank house, and mine infrastructure. The
installed capacity of the plant is 200,000 tpy of cathode copper. As part of the Sulphide Leach Project,
Escondida pioneered the use of desalination for process water in this arid region of Chile. Water supply
originates from the 500litrepersecond desalination plant constructed by Fluor. Water is pumped
through a 24inch, 167kilometer pipeline with four intermediate 12,000horsepower pumping stations on
the route from sea level at the port to an altitude of 3,200 meters at the mine site. During construction
of Sulphide Leach, the project achieved 7 million hours without an OSHA losttime incident – a Chilean
record.
2006
Cerro Verde Primary Sulfide Project processing facilities operational
The Cerro Verde Primary Sulfide Project was an expansion of existing processing facilities that extract
copper from oxide copper ore using conventional heap leach and SX/EW technology. The concentrator
processes sulfide copper ore from existing mining pits approximately tripling annual production at the
site from 100,000 tonnes of copper to 300,000 tonnes.
2007
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet inaugurates Codelco's Gaby copper mine
Fluor performed engineering, procurement, construction management and precommissioning of the
$980 million project for Codelco, the world's largest producer of copper. The project demonstrated the
efficacy of Codelco's joint team approach.
It was completed within budget and in 22 months – considered an industry record for engineering,
procurement and construction management of a major SX/EW plant.
2008
Oz Minerals' Prominent Hill Copper/Gold Project operational
Fluor completed the USD $700 million Prominent Hill Copper/Gold Project for OZ Minerals, the first
major mining project in the region since an expansion of the Olympic Dam in the 1990s, which also
involved Fluor.
2008
FAST JV develops new mine at E Deposit and completes expansion work
The newly renamed JV between Fluor and SKM, FAST JV, continued development and construction for
BHP Billiton in Pilbara. The RPG3 project was completed in 2008 and included development of a new
mine at ‘E Deposit’, construction of a new overland conveyor from E Deposit to Area C and new
crushing and screening facilities and second blending yard at Area C. Additional upgrades were made
at Nelson Point and Berth C at Finucane Island, and rail expansion work included new rail mainline,
spur sidings and loop modifications at Area C.
2008
Rio Tinto awards Fluor with the 2009 Safety Award
The QMM Mineral Sands Project was recognised by Rio Tinto's Chief Executive with the 2009 Safety
Award for outstanding safety performance. Fluor achieved 12 million consecutive safe workhours
without a losttime incident, a record in Madagascar and one of the top performances for a Rio Tinto
project. The award also recognised our efforts to build a sustaining safety culture for the community
and country.
2009
Fluor employs innovative Mining techniques around the globe.2010s
FAST JV achieves additional project milestones for BHP Billiton in Pilbara region
RPG4 milestones included a new ore processing plant at Jimblebar, ore handling upgrades at Yandi and
a new crushing and screening plant, additional stockyards, car dumping and train loading facilities at
Mt. Whaleback. Additionally, the FAST JV expanded the port at Nelson Point, upgraded the stockyard
and constructed new offices, warehouse and workshops at Finucane Island, all part of BHP Billiton’s
Growth Programme.
2010
ICA Fluor completes EPCM work for Boleo Copper Mine Development
ICA Fluor, Fluor’s joint venture company in Mexico, was awarded preliminary and full engineering,
procurement and construction management for the Boleo mining project near the town of Santa Rosalia,
located in Baja California Sur, Mexico.
The project is an underground and surface mining operation providing runofmine ore to a fully
integrated hydrometallurgical facility.
2010
Fluor achieves first coal milestone at Debswana Mining Morupule Colliery Expansion
Fluor performed engineering, procurement and construction management for the project. The main
target was to complete the relevant facilities to support meeting the “first coal” milestone. Fluor
achieved this significant milestone two weeks ahead of schedule. This milestone was preceded by an
intricate shutdown to dismantle existing facilities, and tiein, test and commission the required new
process facilities and systems to enable coal to be conveyed to Morupule ‘B’ power station. All new
facilities were built around the existing plant while it was still producing coal for the Morupule ‘A’ power
station and other Clients.
2011
KGHM International Ltd. Sierra Gorda CopperMolybdenum Mine awarded to Fluor2011

Fluor performed the feasibility study and engineering, procurement and construction management
services for the Sierra Gorda Mine Processing Plant.
The processing plant consists of: primary, secondary and tertiary crushing with highpressure grinding
rolls; ball milling and conventional flotation to produce a bulk coppermolybdenum concentrate; train
transport of bulk copper concentrate to the Port of Mejillones for loading into ships; and train transport
of bagged molybdenum concentrate to the port for further transport to a toll roasting facility or end user.
FAST JV completes Rapid Growth Project 5 on schedule
BHP Billiton’s RPG5 was completed on schedule in 2011. The project included expanding the Yandi
Mining Hub, including the construction of a new 45Mtpa ore handling plant (OHP3) and tiein to the
existing OHP2, plus the construction of supporting nonprocess infrastructure. Significant completions
also included the port expansion with the construction of two new berths and two new shiploaders at
Finucane Island, plus car dumper modifications and conveyor route upgrades and rail development
including extensive upgrades to a dual rail track system.
2011
Construction concludes at Pueblo Viejo Gold/Silver Mine
Fluor successfully completed the feasibility study and provided engineering, procurement and
construction management services for the $3.8 billion Pueblo Viejo Project, the largest foreign
investment in the history of the Dominican Republic.
At peak construction, the project had a workforce of 7,800 comprised of 17 nationalities interacting and
working together.
2012
Jwaneng Diamond Mine completed
The Jwaneng Open Pit Diamond Mine is the largest, by value, in the world. Its expansion facilitates
greater access to kimberlite ore. Fluor performed engineering, procurement and construction
management services for associated relocation and rebuilding of the mine surface infrastructure. The
project was completed in September 2012.
2012
Fluor completes scope at Newcrest Mining's Cadia East Gold/Copper Mine
Cadia East was Australia's first panelcave mine and is Australia's largest underground mine. Fluor was
the procurement and construction manager for the surface process plant and underground material
handling, as well as, engineering, procurement and construction management for surface and
underground infrastructure.
2012
FAST JV constructs Orebody 24 Mine for BHP Billiton
The Orebody 24 project was part of the overall BHPBIO programme in Western Australia. In 2013, the
Fluorled, FAST JV constructed the Orebody 24 mine ore handling plant, nonprocess infrastructure and
services to replace the Jimblebar Wheelarra 4 primary crushed ore supply to Newman Hub (14 Mtpa).
2013
Caserones 110,000 tonnes per day Cu Concentrator completed
Fluor performed engineering, procurement and construction management services for facilities, utilities
and offsites and minerelated infrastructure at the Caserones Copper Project in Chile. The Caserones
Mine produces copper concentrate, copper cathodes and molybdenum concentrate from an open mine
operation.
2013
Oyu Tolgoi Copper Mine operations commence
In the arid, very remote Gobi Desert in Mongolia, Fluor provided program and construction management
to Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. on their $6 billion Oyu Tolgoi copper mine.
This mine represented the largest and perhaps most challenging engineeringconstruction project in
Mongolia, and became one of the world’s largest copper mines when it commenced operations in 2013.
2013
Surface mining and bitumen extraction operational at Kearl Oil Sands in Alberta
The Kearl Initial Development surface mining and bitumen extraction operation will achieve a total
production of 110,000 barrels per day (bpd). The Kearl Expansion Project operation is expected to add
a total production of 110,000 bpd. Imperial has a mine plan for the project life of over 40 years, and
production capacity is an approved 345,000 bpd.
2014
WAIO Growth Programme nearly triples BHP Billiton's Iron Ore production capacity
The WAIO Growth Programme is a series of projects that increased BHPBIO’s production capacity
over a nearly 15year period through the completion of 10 major projects. The Fluorled joint venture,
FAST JV, successfully executed one of the world’s largest multibillion dollar expansion programmes,
with projects consistently delivered on schedule and on budget, and assisted BHP Billiton in
strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading iron ore producers.
2015
Fluor opens in Botswana
Fluor opened an office in Gaborone, Botswana in 2015. Fluor's previous experience in Botswana
includes the Orapa Diamond Mine and the Jwaneng Cut 8 and Morupule Coal Mine Expansion Projects.
The newly established office allows Fluor to continue offering integrated EPC solutions to Mining &
Metals Clients in Botswana.
2015
Quellaveco Open Pit Copper Mine under construction
Quellaveco is a typical porphyry copper deposit. The operation will use processing by flotation to
produce copper concentrates and molybdenum. The project, located approximately 130 kilometers
southeast of Arequipa, will exploit a significantly sized copper/molybdenum ore body at an altitude of
around 3,500 meters. Fluor provided project planning and early engineering services from its offices in
Lima, Perú and Santiago, Chile. Currently, Fluor is completing the feasibility study and leading
construction management for early site works. The Anglo American Board will determine approval for a
phased approach in late 2016.
Learn more about this project
2015
World’s largest copper concentrator, part of the Production Unit Expansion at the Cerro Verde
Mine
2016

The Cerro Verde Production Unit Expansion is considered not only worldclass, but is also the largest
onetime built copper concentrator on the planet. Fluor was selected to provide engineering,
procurement, construction management (EPCM) and commissioning services for the new concentrator.
Project Mechanical Completion is forecast for March 2016.
Learn more about this project
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