Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX:OBM, OTC:ESGFF, FRA:M6N) has awarded GR Engineering Services Ltd (ASX:GNG) a $233 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a 3.0 million tons per annum process plant as part of the Davyhurst Expansion Project in Western Australia.
The contract formalises GR Engineering’s role after the company was named preferred contractor for the project on May 18, 2026.
The new process plant is a key component of Ora Banda’s planned expansion at Davyhurst, supporting the company’s strategy to increase processing capacity and strengthen the long-term production profile of the gold operation.
For GR Engineering, the contract adds to its secured work pipeline across FY27 and FY28 and reinforces its position as a provider of process plant design and EPC delivery services to the resources sector.
“Pleased to be working again”
GR Engineering managing director Tony Patrizi said the company was pleased to continue its relationship with Ora Banda.
“GR Engineering is pleased to be working again with the Ora Banda team,” Patrizi said.
“We see this contract award as a strong endorsement of GR Engineering’s proven process design record and EPC delivery capability.
“GR Engineering continues to build its contracted pipeline of work in FY27 and FY28.”
Ora Banda approves expansion strategy to double gold production over three years
DRIVE to 300 targets long-term growth
Ora Banda recently approved a new expansion strategy designed to double gold production over the next three years, with plans for a new 3.0 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) processing plant at Davyhurst, development of the Waihi underground mine and a material increase in available funding capacity.
The company has introduced its new “DRIVE to 300” aspiration, targeting a longer-term production profile of around 300,000 ounces per annum as it builds on the earlier “DRIVE to 100” and “DRIVE to 150” growth phases.
The production target is aspirational and did not constitute formal guidance, noting it does not yet have reasonable grounds to state the objective can be achieved.
Davyhurst plant central to expansion
A new 3.0Mtpa processing plant at Davyhurst forms a central part of the proposed expansion, with the strategy also incorporating development of the Waihi underground mine and increased financial flexibility to support the company’s growth plans.
The 3-year outlook is expected to lift Ora Banda’s production profile materially, subject to the company completing the required work programs, approvals, funding arrangements and project execution milestones.
“Next phase” of transformation
Managing director Luke Creagh said the strategy marked the next stage of Ora Banda’s transformation into a larger-scale Western Australian gold producer.
“The DRIVE to 300 is the exciting next phase for Ora Banda, building on earlier success with the achievement of DRIVE to 100 and DRIVE to 150,” Creagh said.
“This doubling of production is currently expected to be capable of being internally funded and has the potential to add material value and position Ora Banda as a long-term sustainable gold business.”