BBA, AMEC to build Detour Lake

Detour Gold (DGC-T, DRGDF-O) has hired some heavy hitters to build infrastructure for its Detour Lake gold project in northeastern Ontario.

After sifting through a series of competitive bids, the company has announced AMEC Americas will perform procurement, construction and management at Detour Lake, with BBA, handling detailed engineering for the mine.

The contracts are on par with the companies’ current association with the project since both firms have been involved with the project since prefeasibility study in 2009, and have also worked on a feasibility study.

Gerald Panneton, president and CEO of Detour Gold, touted the company’s ongoing healthy relationship with the firms.

“We are very pleased to be continuing our relationship with AMEC and BBA in the development of the Detour Lake project. We have engaged a world-class team whose combined strength will complement each other very well. Both companies have recognized expertise in the industry and a solid reputation for building and designing projects,” said Panneton in a statement.

According to a recent study, the company could build a 55,000-to 61,000-tonne-per-day open-pit mine at Detour Lake that would produce 649,000 oz. gold per year over 16 years, for an initial price tag of US$992 million.

Detour Lake would use a conventional gravity, cyanidation and carbon-in-pulp processing facility.

In true partnership fashion, AMEC personnel will work out of BBA’s offices in Oakville, Ont., and Montreal, working onsite when required. BBA will headquarter itself mainly in Montreal. Closer to project completion, BBA has been contracted to include commissioning services.