SNC-Lavalin to provide services for African project

SNC-Lavalin Inc. says it will provide engineering, procurement and construction management services for a $630-million (U.S.) iron ore concentrator project in Mauritania.

The Montreal-based company said Monday that engineering and procurement for the project have begun, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2010 with an expected completion date in early 2013.

SNC-Lavalin didn't disclose what it will receive for doing the work under the contract, signed with Société Nationale de Industrielle et Miniere (SNIM), which is owned 78 per cent by the government of Mauritania.

The Guelb II iron ore project is adjacent to SNIM's existing iron ore operations in the region and is expected to contribute an additional four million tonnes of iron ore concentrate annually.