Ma'aden signs contract for 500km pipeline to supply new gold mines

The contract includes engineering, procurement and construction services for the construction of a 430km main pipeline from Taif to Ad Duwaihi and four other new potential mines. The pipeline will also have two pumping stations, mine site storage facilities and extensive communications and security systems.

The 18 inch diameter pipeline has the capacity to carry up to 13,000m³ of treated waste water from Taif NWC Sewage Treatment Plant to to future mining operations at Ad Duwayhi, Mansourra, Massarra, As Suq and Ar Rjum.

"The last estimations of total resources in the Central Arabian Gold Region according to JORC international standards contain 9 million ounces of gold, with grades ranging from 1.34 to 2.43 grammes per tonne. The construction of this pipeline to an area with such significant resources is an essential step in Ma'aden's ambition to expand our gold production to 400,000 ounces per annum in 2015 and the use of treated waste water is proof of Ma'aden's commitment to minimising impacts on the environment." commented Khalid Al Mudaifer, President and CEO of Ma'aden.

'The pipeline project also shows how investment in the Kingdom's mining industry can deliver sustainable new infrastructure, jobs and technologies to remote regions and communities that need them most. We estimate that the new mines will create around new 1,000 direct jobs and 5,600 new indirect jobs, significantly raising the incomes of local families and create new opportunities for education and training in line with government policy."