Ausenco Limited announced it had signed a Create phase contract to manage the AUD 125 million expansion of Barrick Gold Corporation's Lumwana Copper Project in Zambia.

Ausenco's Minerals & Metals business will manage the project, which involves expanding the existing ore crushing and processing plant at the existing Lumwana copper mine to achieve and maintain a plant production rate of 25 million tonne per annum

Ausenco CEO Mr Zimi Meka said the new contract built on Ausenco's long and successful association with the Lumwana project and close working relationship with Barrick. He added that "We have a long established connection with the Lumwana project that stretches back to our work in designing and delivering the existing concentrator in 2008.”

He added that "We are incredibly pleased to continue working with the Barrick team on the project and look forward to delivering this important expansion by the end of June 2012.”