IOCA names Re:Group as preferred primary contractor for Hancock iron ore project

August 23, 2023
International Mining Review

Alien Metals Ltd’s wholly-owned subsidiary Iron Ore Company of Australia Pty Ltd (IOCA) has named REGROUP Australia as its preferred primary contractor to undertake the construction works, mining operations and haulage services for its flagship Hancock iron ore project in the Pilbara of Western Australia.


IOCA has conducted a competitive market engagement over the previous six months to identify commercially and technically adept contractors to undertake works as part of the Hancock development and operations. This process has involved pre-qualified and targeted proponents submitting bids for specific scopes of works and agreeing to key commercial terms.


REGROUP is, Alien Metals says, a highly renowned and experienced civil construction, mining operator and haulier, having executed projects that exceed A$100 million ($64 million) on multiple occasions. It operates one of the largest privately and independently owned fleets in Western Australia, with clients that include Newcrest Mining, Roy Hill and Element 25.


The selection of REGROUP allows the company to update its financial model as part of the definitive feasibility study (DFS) work streams, Alien Metals says.


As part of the preferred construction contractor award, REGROUP would be in charge of construction of an intersection of the project area at the Great Northern Highway and construction of an access track from the Great Northern Highway to the mine site.


REGROUP has also been selected as the preferred operations contractor for:


  • Mining services (that is inclusive of any drilling and blasting activities)


  • Haulage services for the haulage of ore from the mine site to Port Hedland.


The award of this contract remains subject to the completion of a positive DFS, approvals, funding and the Board making a final investment decision.


The 2021 scoping study on Hancock showcased a 1.25 Mt/y production profile that would sustain an eight-year life of mine with current resources. The company has said it plans to make its first shipments in 2023, leveraging its direct shipping ore options.


Troy Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer of Alien, said: “Securing REGROUP as a key contractor for the Hancock project is a significant milestone for the company…This is the first step in locking in relationships with contractors on the back of the IOCA sourcing process, securing competitive pricing from contractors, which moves planning for the project forward.


“We are excited to partner with REGROUP, a company that shares our values. REGROUP has set the goal of becoming carbon neutral via the use of a fully battery-powered fleet and the utilisation of solar and wind to help power their sites. That combined with their commitment to advancing indigenous businesses, notably through the championing of Maramara in Western Australia, a majority Indigenous-owned Pty Ltd company, is one of the reasons why we teamed up with REGROUP.”



Michael Still, Managing Director of REGROUP, said: “REGROUP is looking forward to working with IOCA, firstly in the establishment of their mine, as well as the long-term success of the operations from pit to port. We also see a great opportunity to support First Nations business, Maramara, in delivering the civil scope of this exciting project. We would utilise our expertise as a Pilbara-based business and being a partner of a values-based miner such as IOCA, we are eager to see the impact we know this project will have on the Pilbara communities.


“In being a greenfields site, the Hancock project lends itself well to autonomous and electrified solutions for both the mining and bulk haulage fleet. We will continue to work with our partners in Scania and Janus to integrate new and emerging technologies where practical, both on-site and in Port Hedland. The consolidation of the construction and operational activities under one group will facilitate speed to market for IOCA and provides us with the opportunity to embed our expertise early in the project.”


IOCA names Re:Group as preferred primary contractor for Hancock iron ore project

Re:Group NEWS

WA company sets roots in Mount Isa

By Story by iQ Industry Queensland Mining News • October 15, 2025
Western Australian mine services company RE:GROUP is setting to significantly expand its presence in North-West Queensland. RE:GROUP has contracts with Austral Resources to deliver mining and haulage services at the Lady Annie project north of Mount Isa. Austral recently added the Rocklands operation about 17km north of Cloncurry to its balance sheet, having bought it from administrators. Austral imposed a two-year hiatus to operations to refurbish the crushing circuit and develop projects around the site for feedstock. RE:GROUP managing director Michael Still said they had established a good relationship with Austral at Lady Annie and would be up to providing services at Rocklands. RE:GROUP Managing Director Michael Still “I guess that’s the benefit of the partnership between us and Austral is we’re both the mining contractor and the bulk haulage contractor,” he said. “And the reason that that’s really important is that you’ve got two groups that are working really closely together. “Rocklands’ demands include the need for significant trucking and RE:GROUP is pretty innovative. “We’re already looking at ways to run quad road trains where we electrify the axles of the trailers and reduce fuel emissions in the trucks because we want to ensure that we’re minimising the impact on the environment. “It could be another 20 trucks on the road. Now 20 trucks is 60 jobs on a two-in-one roster day and night, and that’s significant just for one of the deposits.” RE:GROUP is currently delivering up to 750,000t a month via its 100t fleet offer and their ultra-quad road trains, running from pit to the Mount Kelly processing plant. Austral Resources’ work to develop common user process facilities reflected successful models used in Western Australia, Mr Still said. “We see it in Western Australia where it works really well,” he said. “We’ve got common user facilities that the government has put together from a port capacity perspective for bulk commodities. What that means is the juniors, the small guys, have a way to get their product to market. “If I translate that to what’s happening here in Queensland, particularly Mount Isa, and particularly with the Austral story, you’ve got them acquiring the Rocklands asset with their Lady Annie asset. “All of a sudden you’ve got two sites that can process both forms of copper within a couple hundred kilometres of each other. I think it’s quite exciting.” The partnership developed with Austral, which promoted safety and helped keep costs down, gave them confidence to invest more in Queensland, Mr Still said. “We’re ultimately responsible for making the call on what we invest as a business – its significant amounts worth of capital – and need to have the confidence to be repaid and quickly,” he said. “You can’t do that unless you’ve got a partner that you understand. The benefit of having the last 18 months working together with Austral is we’ve been through some trying times together and we’ve pulled out the other end. “We’re certainly a lot stronger together as a team.” Find the article here: https://industryqld.com.au/wa-company-sets-roots-in-mount-isa/

Re:Group Awarded Mining Contract at Thunderbird Operations

By RE:GROUP • June 9, 2025
RE:GROUP is proud to announce its appointment as the waste mining contractor for the Thunderbird Mineral Sands Project, operated by Kimberley Mineral Sands (KMS) in Western Australia's West Kimberley region. This award marks a significant milestone in RE:GROUP’s growth, expanding our presence in one of the most important mineral sands developments in the country. Our scope includes the full delivery of waste mining activities, enabling the client’s ore production targets by removing overburden material efficiently and safely. Mobilisation commenced earlier this year, with full-scale operations now established. The project showcases RE:GROUP’s ability to deploy quickly, operate effectively in remote regions, and apply tailored methodologies to meet the specific needs of the site. Michael Rose, Chief Operating Officer at Kimberley Mineral Sands, said RE:GROUP’s appointment plays a critical role in the next phase of Thunderbird’s ramp-up. “Their proven capability and experience will be critical as we accelerate our waste mining program to support our increased rates of production,” Mr Rose said. “This is a major step forward in our company’s journey,” said Michael Still, RE:GROUP Managing Director. “We have built a reputation for reliable performance across copper, iron ore, manganese and now mineral sands. Partnering with KMS at Thunderbird gives us an opportunity to apply our strengths to a world-class project and contribute meaningfully to the Kimberley region and our other business partners.” RE:GROUP continues to grow, from its roots in Port Hedland into a nationally operating business, while remaining committed to local connection and community impact. The alignment between RE:GROUP and KMS extends beyond operational delivery, with a shared commitment to creating opportunities for Traditional Owners and Indigenous communities through employment, training and partnerships. “Our people are the reason we can take on and deliver projects like Thunderbird,” Still said. “From the field to the office, our team’s capability and culture are what drive our success.” With a growing presence across multiple commodities, RE:GROUP continues to cement its position as a trusted mining services partner across Australia.

RE:GROUP APPOINTED HEAD CONTRACTOR FOR EXTENSION IRON ORE PROJECT

By RE:GROUP • April 28, 2025
Pilbara, Western Australia — RE:GROUP Australia Pty Ltd is excited to announce its appointment as the Head Mining Services Contractor for the Extension Iron Ore Project in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia. This significant milestone further solidifies RE:GROUP’s position as one of Australia’s most dynamic and fast-growing mining services companies. The contract, awarded by Extension Iron Ore Pty Ltd, entrusts RE:GROUP with the full responsibility for both the development and operational delivery of the project. In partnership with Macro Mining Services Pty Ltd (MMS), a subsidiary of Macro Metals Limited (ASX: M4M), RE:GROUP will oversee the complete lifecycle of the mine, delivering high-quality services from the initial stages to full production. A Transformational Step Forward “This project is a defining moment for our company,” Michael Still added. “It not only validates the precision and capability we’ve built into our operations, but it also sets the stage for RE:GROUP’s next phase of growth — not just in the Pilbara, but across Australia. We’re focused on delivering value to every stakeholder involved and continuing to lead the way in mining excellence.” Project Scope and Collaboration Under the terms of the contract, RE:GROUP and our strategic partner Macro Mining Services (MMS) — a subsidiary of Macro Metals Limited (ASX: M4M) will take full charge of technical, developmental, and operational services, including securing all remaining project approvals, establishing the mine site, and managing the core operations such as drilling, blasting, mining, and haulage. Additionally, RE:GROUP will handle the delivery of saleable iron ore to the Utah Point Bulk Handling Facility in Port Hedland. Macro Mining Services will provide exclusive technical services such as exploration, permitting, and mine planning. The two companies will collaborate on-site for establishment and operational works, with MMS exclusively managing the crushing and screening operations under a build-own-operate model. Strategic Location and Project Potential The Extension Iron Ore Project spans 27.6 km² and is ideally located near major mining hubs — just 2 km from BHP’s Yandi Operations and 20 km from Rio Tinto’s Yandicoogina site. With an Indicated Mineral Resource of 16.1 Mt at 54.2% Fe, the project shows promising upgrade potential, with test work indicating a possible increase in iron content to over 57% Fe through dry screening. The site’s proximity to Port Hedland and RE:GROUP’s strategic logistics hub will provide substantial operational efficiencies, facilitating smoother stockpiling, haulage, and blending processes. Shaping the Future of Mining RE:GROUP’s appointment marks a significant step forward for the company and signals its growing influence in the Australian mining sector. The partnership with Macro Mining Services is a powerful example of how aligned businesses can drive innovation, operational success, and lasting impact. “We’re excited to work alongside Macro Mining Services to deliver a project that will benefit local communities, regional economies, and create long-term value,” Michael Still concluded. “This collaboration is proof that when businesses share a vision and align their strengths, the results speak for themselves.” As RE:GROUP moves forward with the Extension Iron Ore Project, the company is poised to continue leading national growth in the mining industry, with a commitment to operational excellence, safety, and sustainable practices.