Rio Tinto has awarded a $157 million contract to Primero Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRW Holdings, for its Hope Downs 1 sustaining project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The contract covers the design, supply, installation, construction, testing commissioning and handover of non-process infrastructure works at Hope Downs 1.
Primero managing director Michael Gollschewski said the contract award highlighted the ongoing strength of the company’s relationship with Rio Tinto.
“This award represents the continuation of our long-term relationship with Rio Tinto through the delivery of world-class infrastructure projects,” Gollschewski said.
Design and procurement are expected to begin immediately, with site works scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending external approvals. The contract is expected to be completed by December 2026.
NRW Holdings managing director and chief executive officer Jules Pemberton praised the project as a key milestone for Primero.
“This contract reinforces Primero’s reputation as a leading provider of engineering and construction services. We look forward to the successful completion of the project,” Pemberton said.
The new contract builds on Primero’s recent work with Rio Tinto, including a seawater desalination project at Parker Point in Dampier, WA.
That project, valued at around $100 million, involves structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation procurement and construction for a treatment facility and conveyor piping. It is expected to run for 12 months, beginning March.
Primero continues to strengthen its footprint in the Pilbara region through its role in delivering critical infrastructure solutions to major miners.