BPR looks to align with Falconbridge.

• Author: Gilbert, Craig
• Position: Engineering services - BPR-Bechtel

Quebec City-based BPR-Bechtel has moved into Timmins.

A name of record in Quebec engineering circles and a leading provider of plant engineering services, BPR-Bechtel has purchased the Timmins mine assets of AMEC, a worldwide service and engineering company.

The transaction follows on the heels of mining giant Noranda-Falconbridge transferring its site-engineering services business at its Timmins copper-zinc mines to BPR-Bechtel in June 2004. The asset purchase provides BPR-Bechtel with 35 additional plant engineering service experts in electrical and instrumentation, mechanical and structural engineering.

"The acquisition is aligned with our corporate growth strategy and spells greater opportunities for all," says Denis Harvie, president and CEO of BPR-Bechtel. "It also strengthens our mining and metals expertise in copper-zinc. With our new colleagues in Timmins, we are better equipped than ever to compete world-wide, and to deliver increased value to our customers and enhanced career opportunities to our employees."

The AMEC property was attractive to Harvie because it represented an opportunity for long-term growth at a bargain price.

"We plan to operate here for many years to come," says Harvie. "We're looking for facilities that are aged, but can still be profitable and can be continuously improved."

The company is working on a long-term deal with Falconbridge, which Harvie hopes will become an anchor he can expand and build on.

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