On February 18, Texas-based engineering and construction company Fluor Corporation announced that its joint venture with Australia-based engineering and project delivery firm Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) has been awarded a contract worth approximately US$500 million by Australian miner BHP Billiton to execute the next phase of its rapid growth program. The focus of the project will be the continued expansion of BHP Billiton's iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
According to the announcement, the scope of the contract awarded to the Fluor-SKM joint venture includes overall program management activities and engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services for specific elements of mine, port and rail works. Since 2001, the JV has provided the mentioned services to BHP Billiton and delivered rapid growth projects 1, 2, 3 and 4 and is working on rapid growth projects 5 and 6.