MONTREAL, Dec. 19,
2023 /CNW/ - AtkinsRéalis [SNC-Lavalin Group
Inc.] (TSX: ATRL), a fully integrated professional services and
project management company with offices around the world, has been
appointed as the integrated delivery partner by Rio Tinto for the
Simandou mining project in the Republic of Guinea, which contains the world's largest
untapped high-grade iron ore deposit.
"There is no Net Zero future without sustainable mining and
we're thrilled to bring our mining expertise to such a significant
and transformative project," commented Ian
L. Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer,
AtkinsRéalis. "From the lithium in batteries to the silicon in
solar panels, critical minerals are needed to produce the clean
power, decarbonized infrastructure, and new forms of transportation
that accompany a Net Zero world that needs more power and
infrastructure to meet the demands of population growth."
In the role of integrated delivery partner, AtkinsRéalis' global
and multi-disciplinary Minerals & Metals team will provide
project and construction management, engineering and technical
compliance, plus contract management services as part of the
multi-year contract. It is AtkinsRéalis' largest mining project in
the last decade, and the first mining project the Company will
deliver under the role of integrated delivery partner.
High-Grade Iron Ore and Net
Zero
To achieve global 2050 Net Zero targets, extraction and
production of certain critical minerals and metals required in
sustainable infrastructure will need to increase by up to
500%1. Iron, a critical mineral, and the main
component of steel, is the most used alloy in the world with global
steel consumption forecast to grow by 1%-2% per year over the next
decade2.
However, the production of steel is currently responsible for
around 8% of global carbon emissions3. As
steelmakers look to reduce their footprint, demand is growing for
higher-grade, lower-impurity iron. This type of iron can be used to
produce steel with far lower emissions. The Simandou site is home
to the last-known, largest, and richest untapped high-grade iron
ore deposit in the world.
"Decarbonizing future infrastructure projects means looking at
end-to-end construction and engineering processes, including steel
production," said César Inostroza, CEO, Minerals & Metals,
AtkinsRéalis. "New infrastructure builds are only increasing in
frequency and scale, as public and private-sector clients look to
decarbonize, manage climate risk, and build climate resiliency.
Simandou's first-class iron ore deposit will be a vital ally to the
world's Net Zero transition, producing the lower-carbon intensity
steel needed for these sustainable infrastructure new builds.
Throughout our mandate at Simandou, a top priority is to deploy the
full breadth of our Engineering Net Zero capabilities, to ensure
sustainable mining solutions are prioritized at all stages. Not
only will we be responsible stewards of the land, but we look
forward to providing social value and economic opportunities for
current and future generations of Guineans."
Engineering with Purpose
These transformative infrastructure projects will significantly
increase mobility, economic opportunity, and standard of living for
current and future generations of Guineans. Oversight of the rail
line and port components of the project will involve a joint
collaboration between AtkinsRéalis' Transportation and
Minerals & Metals teams. This includes bringing together
expertise from project teams in Montreal,
Canada, London, UK,
Conakry, Guinea, and Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
With 15% of the mine owned by the Government of Guinea, the project will generate a
substantial amount of tax revenue for the country, and significant
foreign direct investment in the local economy4.
About
AtkinsRéalis
Created by the integration of long-standing organizations
dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading professional
services and project management company dedicated to engineering a
better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable
solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the
world's infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global
capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end
services across the whole life cycle of an asset including
consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent
networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering,
procurement, project & construction management, operations
& maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and
depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in key strategic
sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear, Operations &
Maintenance and Capital. News and information are available at
www.atkinsrealis.com or follow us on
LinkedIn.
_________________________
|
1 The World
Bank
|
2 Rio
Tinto
|
3 McKinsey
& Company
4 Rio
Tinto
|
SOURCE AtkinsRéalis