Ausenco to Carry Out Hillside Copper-Gold Project EPCM

Why It Matters

The contract positions Ausenco to capture a share of the growing copper supply chain, while advancing one of Australia’s largest untapped copper‑gold resources, supporting global demand for battery metals.

Key Takeaways

• Ausenco wins EPCM contract for Hillside copper‑gold project
• Hillside holds 1.9 Mt copper, 1.5 Moz gold resources
• Project targets 8 Mt/year processing capacity
• 13‑year mine life approved by South Australian government
• Ausenco built one‑third of new global copper concentrators

Pulse Analysis

The Hillside project arrives at a pivotal moment for the copper market, as electric‑vehicle adoption and renewable‑energy storage drive unprecedented demand for battery‑grade metals. Australia, already a top‑tier mining jurisdiction, is poised to expand its output, and the Yorke Peninsula location offers logistical advantages, including proximity to Adelaide’s port infrastructure. By securing the EPCM contract, Ausenco not only adds a high‑profile asset to its portfolio but also reinforces its reputation as a go‑to engineering partner for large‑scale copper operations worldwide.

Ausenco’s involvement goes beyond basic engineering; the firm will deliver detailed design, procurement strategies, and construction management for an 8 Mt/y concentrator plant. Its recent success with Chile’s Mantoverde project demonstrates a proven ability to integrate cutting‑edge automation and energy‑efficiency measures, which are increasingly critical for cost‑competitive copper production. The EPCM scope also includes commissioning, ensuring the plant meets performance targets from day one, and aligns with Rex Minerals’ goal of a 13‑year mine life that maximizes resource recovery while minimizing environmental impact.

For Rex Minerals, the partnership accelerates the transition from feasibility to commercial operation, unlocking a resource estimated at 1.9 Mt of copper and 1.5 Moz of gold. The project promises to generate significant regional employment, stimulate ancillary services, and contribute to South Australia’s economic diversification. Moreover, bringing new copper supply online helps mitigate supply‑side pressures that have driven price volatility, offering downstream manufacturers a more stable input for the burgeoning clean‑technology sector.