Alien Metals selects contractor for Hancock crushing and screening

30th Aug 2023 11:14

(Sharecast News) - Alien Metals announced the selection of Rapid Crushing & Screening Contractors as its preferred supplier for crushing and screening services at flagship Hancock Iron Ore Project on Wednesday.

The AIM-traded firm said the Hancock project is located in the mineral-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia, and is owned by its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Iron Ore Company of Australia (IOCA).

Over the last six months, IOCA had carried out a comprehensive market analysis aimed at identifying contractors with the technical and commercial capabilities suitable for the Hancock Project.

The evaluation process included a series of pre-qualified bids, targeted engagements, and detailed scope of work discussions.

Rapid Crushing, a privately owned contractor based in Australia, had a solid track record in iron ore processing according to the Alien board.

It had previously partnered with industry majors like Fortescue Metals, and had been the incumbent contractor for Galaxy Lithium for the last six years.

The selection of Rapid Crushing was expected to support IOCA's initial scoping study, which estimated a C1 cost of approximately $60 per tonne of iron ore produced.

"We are pleased to announce that Rapid Crushing has been selected as the preferred tenderer for crushing and screening operations at our Hancock Project," said chief executive officer Troy Whittaker.

"Rapid Crushing's significant hard rock mining knowledge and experience, particularly in iron ore, will be of great benefit to our overall operations.

"We will be working closely with Rapid Crushing to finalise optimisation activities that support the accelerated definitive feasibility study work streams related to price opportunity as we prepare and execute the contractual documents."

Whittaker said the selection of Rapid Crushing finalised the material procurement efforts for the project.

"This will result in a high level of validated and secured costing for the Hancock Project."

At 1041 BST, shares in Alien Metals were up 0.91% at 0.1665p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.