GR Engineering has announced it has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by Northparkes Mining Services Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Evolution Mining Limited, for the Northparkes Coarse Particle Flotation project. An EPC contract means the contractor is responsible for all stages of the project, including design, equipment sourcing, and construction, ensuring a streamlined delivery process.
The project is situated 300 kilometres west of Sydney, New South Wales. It involves upgrading the existing plant with coarse particle flotation technology—a process that allows larger mineral particles to be recovered during mineral processing, thereby increasing overall efficiency. This upgrade is expected to boost copper recovery and improve energy efficiency. Improvements in copper recovery, specifically concentrate-grade adjusted copper recovery (which measures the percentage of copper successfully extracted and refined), translate into more valuable output from the same amount of ore. Enhanced energy efficiency helps lower operational costs and reduces the environmental impact by decreasing power consumption, benefiting both Evolution Mining and the surrounding community.
The contract is valued at A$68 million (approximately $48 million), and preliminary work has already begun. GR Engineering’s Brisbane team will manage the project, drawing on their experience from similar successful projects, such as the recently completed Mungari Mill Expansion in 2025.
According to Tony Patrizi, Managing Director of GR Engineering, “We are pleased to collaborate once again with Evolution Mining. This contract award highlights our proven track record in process design and in delivering complete EPC solutions.”
The Northparkes Coarse Particle Flotation project represents a capital investment of around A$75 million focused on upgrading flotation and dewatering systems. The project aims to increase concentrate-grade adjusted copper recovery by about 2% at current throughput rates (FY25: approximately 7.3 million tonnes per year on a 100% basis). It will also enhance energy efficiency and allow for increased plant throughput up to 8 million tonnes per year without sacrificing recovery rates.
Commissioning—the final phase when the upgraded plant begins operations—is expected to be completed in the second half of the 2028 financial year. These milestones and clear metrics demonstrate the project’s scope and ongoing progress, ensuring transparency for stakeholders and the broader business community.