WORLD PROSPECTS
Sirius appoints DMC Mining for shaft sinking
irius Minerals PLC announced recently
that it has entered into a design and build
contract with DMC Mining Services UK Ltd
and DMC Mining Services Ltd, both subsidiaries
of KGHM Polska Miedz SA, for the construction
of the four shafts required for its polyhalite
project in North Yorkshire. DMC Mining Services
is one of the world’s leading shaft sinking and
mining contractors.
Sirius has been in extended discussions with
AMC UK Ltd in respect of finalising the shaft
sinking contract following the “notice of award”
in July 2017 which anticipated execution of a
finalised contract shortly afterwards. Due to
protracted discussions with AMC regarding
commercial arrangements Sirius engaged with
DMC and other shaft sinking companies in
parallel to consider alternatives.
Through this process, it has become clear
that DMC, with their extensive and proven shaft
sinking experience, are a strong construction
partner for Sirius and will bring technical
opportunities and a commercial partnership that
can unlock potential savings in the construction
schedule. Sirius has therefore entered into a
design and build contract with DMC and has
terminated ongoing arrangements it had for the
shafts with AMC.
Chris Fraser, Managing Director and CEO of
Sirius, comments: “Sirius continually seeks
opportunities to use innovations and a
commercial approach to accelerate development
and unlock value. DMC has proven, world
leading experience using Herrenknecht SBR
S
technology on deep shafts and represents a
strong partner, commercially aligned to our
success. We are confident that they can deliver
the North Yorkshire polyhalite project shafts
significantly earlier than all previous
expectations and we look forward to working
with the team.”
DMC outlined the plan in its own statement.
The shafts “include a production and service
shaft, each approximately 1,500 m deep and
two smaller shafts associated with the
materials transport system, each approximately
350 m deep. DMC will sink the deep shafts
using mo