SNC-Lavalin awarded contract for iron ore project in Mauritania

MONTREAL , Dec. 21, 2009 /CNW Telbec/ - SNC-Lavalin is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM) to provide engineering, procurement and construction management services (EPCM) for an iron ore concentrator project near Zouerate, Mauritania .

The Guelb II Iron Ore Project is adjacent to SNIM's existing iron ore operations in the region, and is expected to contribute an additional four million tonnes of iron ore concentrate annually. The total capital investment for the new facilities is estimated at US$630 million.

The government of Mauritania owns approximately 78% of SNIM, with the balance being held by various institutions and other investors. SNIM produced close to eleven million tonnes of iron ore products in 2008.

"We are very pleased to be working with SNIM again, and to have this opportunity to continue building on our strong relationship, and to leverage SNC-Lavalin's expertise in iron ore and in executing projects with challenging logistics," said Feroz Ashraf, Executive Vice-President, SNC-Lavalin. "This project is a key element to SNIM's expansion strategy in the iron ore sector and will bring further opportunities to the local community."

Engineering and procurement activities have begun, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2010 with an expected completion date in early 2013.

"This contract is indicative of SNC-Lavalin's growing market share in the iron ore sector and further demonstrates our proven capabilities in executing projects in French-speaking Africa ," said Luc Bélanger, Vice-President of SNC-Lavalin's Montreal-based Mining & Metallurgy division leading the project.

SNC-Lavalin (TSX:SNC) is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure, and in the provision of operations and maintenance services. SNC-Lavalin has offices across Canada and in over 35 other countries around the world, and is currently working in some 100 countries. www.snclavalin.com

For further information: Media: Leslie Quinton, Vice-President, Global Corporate Communications, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., [phone], ext. 7354, [email protected]; Investors: Denis Jasmin, Vice-President, Investor Relations, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., [phone], ext. 7553, [email protected]