June 2001
We are pleased to announce the Adco Group of Companies' role in the Ekati Construction Alliance. The Ekati Construction Alliance (more frequently referred to as the ECA) is an alliance of Northern based Civil, Mechanical and Electrical contractors formed to meet the construction needs of BHP-Billiton's Ekati Diamond Mine.
Civil Contractors include Clark Builders and Nahanni Construction. Clark Builders is also acting as the Construction Manager. Mechanical Contractors include Adco North, Hay River Mechanical, and J.S.L. Mechanical. Electrical Contractors include JT/Ryfan Industrial Group, Adco North, and GAP Electric.
The Alliance has entered into an arrangement with BHP-Billiton whereby all construction at the Ekati Diamond Mine will be managed and constructed on a design/build basis by Alliance members.
Construction projects discussed to date include:
- Disassembly, relocation, and re-assembly of BHP's DMS Plant (Bulk Sampling Facility),
- Construction of a 15KV power line to the Koala North pit (this is a power feed for their underground mine including powerhouse modifications and two sub-stations),
- Construction of a Bulk Lube Storage facility,
- Vapour Phase modifications in the Powerhouse,
- Various tank farm modifications and upgrades.
Fundamentally, the ECA's arrangement with BHP is based on trust. The ECA has committed to BHP-Billiton that it will work diligently toward providing high quality design/build construction services, maximizing Northern employment and training opportunities, and minimizing construction costs, in exchange for the elimination of some typical construction risks.
The current “de facto” alliance with BHPB is notable for two reasons. One is that BHPB is planning a significant amount of construction over the next several years, and our participation in an Alliance assures us of an opportunity to participate in the work. The other distinctive element is the uniqueness of the arrangement. The ECA is a triumph of cooperation over narrow self-interest that should appeal to other major industrial customers in the North.
