December 13, 2007 -- SNC-Lavalin is pleased to announce the acquisition of Minerconsult Engenharia, a leading multidisciplinary engineering firm of approximately 1000 professionals based in Belo Horizonte, the capital of mining and metallurgical engineering activities in Brazil.

The 17-year old consulting engineering firm has world class expertise in material handling, iron ore and bauxite mining. It also provides the full range of services in gold, copper, iron, nickel and bauxite mining from the early stages of conceptual studies to pre-commissioning and start up for clients in Brazil, Latin America and in other parts of the world.

"This acquisition is in line with SNC-Lavalin's strategy of developing wider geographic coverage, continuing to build on our technical expertise, and developing world class engineering skills," said Pierre Duhaime, Executive Vice-President, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. in charge of worldwide mining and metallurgy operations. "We are now in a better position to take advantage of the current surge in demand for mining and metals activities worldwide, particularly iron ore, and also Brazil's booming economy."

In the past, SNC-Lavalin and Minerconsult have partnered on several projects, including the ongoing work on a US$100 million contract with Anglo American Brasil Ltda to provide engineering, procurement and construction management for a greenfield ferro-nickel plant near Barro Alto, 170 km to the northwest of Brasilia.

"As SNC-Lavalin/Minerconsult, we can offer our domestic and international clients the combined benefits of SNC-Lavalin's international experience and technical expertise and Minerconsult's local presence and technical skills in the mining sector," said Eduardo Eymard Ramos Dias, Vice-President and General Manager, SNC-Lavalin Minerconsult. In addition, our complementary expertise, synergies and similar core values will provide career development and growth opportunities for all Minerconsult staff."

URL: www.snclavalin.com  

Source: Canada NewsWire