Belmont-based GR Engineering has formed a strategic alliance with South African-based MDM Engineering to pursue work on the growing number of mining projects being pursued by Australian companies in Africa.
The two firms will have more than 270 combined staff and will compete with Perth-based engineering firms such as Lycopodium and Minproc that have completed numerous mining projects in Africa.
GR Engineering managing director Joe Ricciardo told WA Business News that his firm had been aware of MDM for some time, having completed several design projects in Africa.
Mr Ricciardo said “both businesses shared a similar culture and ethics” and that the benefits to one another of forming an alliance were clear.
The relationship will rely primarily on GR utilising its existing networks among Perth-based mining companies and its experience in mine processing systems, while MDM will focus on implementation in Africa.
Mr Ricciardio said that issues with logistics and procurement are significant in Africa particularly when “you might have to cross a couple of countries”, and MDM offered an established network to deal with this.
Mr Ricciardo’s experience in mining process engineering began in the 1980’s when he established JR Engineering in Kalgoorlie.
That company was acquired by Downer EDI in 2001, and five years later Mr Ricciardo re-entered the industry, establishing GR along with several former JR employees.
Mr Ricciardo said that a project between GR and MDM was already on foot and that they looked forward to delivering it in the near future.
