Ausdrill has received a letter of intent from Mineral Resources’ (MRL) subsidiary Process Minerals International (PMI) for a new three-year contract worth A$180m ($143.7m) at the Wodgina lithium mine in Pilbara, Western Australia.

Under the deal, Ausdrill will use 29 rigs and have 150 personnel on-site to deliver drill and blast services at Wodgina project.

Australian mining services and processing company MRL and its subsidiaries provide a wide range of general mine services, contract crushing, infrastructure provision and recovery of base metals concentrate for export.

Ausdrill managing director Ron Sayers said: “We are very pleased to have successfully negotiated this new contract and look forward to working closely with the PMI team in building a successful partnership.”

“Ausdrill will use 29 rigs and have 150 personnel on-site to deliver drill and blast services at Wodgina project.”

According to the company, the final award is subject to finalisation of contract terms and conditions, and the execution of the contract.

PMI is a minerals processor, producer, and exporter with a pipeline of projects across Australia.

The company establishes new mines and successfully implements all stages necessary for initial production on behalf of tenement owners.

With wide-ranging expertise in mine establishment and ongoing management, PMI is focused on managing the processing, production, logistics, ship loading, marketing and export of resource products.