EPCM CONTRACT NEWS SNC-Lavalin to Build Saudi Gold Mine

AL-QUWAY'IYAH, Saudi Arabia A subsidiary of SNC-LAVALIN GROUP has signed a US$8.3-million contract for the development of the Al-Amar gold mine in this oil-rich country. The contract, covering engineering, procurement and construction management, was awarded by the Saudi Arabian Mining Co.

The Al-Amar project is expected to begin commercial production in early 2006. It will produce silver, zinc and copper as well as gold.

SNC-Lavalin executive VP Pierre Duhaime noted that the mine's geological landscape closely resembles mining regions in Northern Ontario and Quebec. The firm will employ about 25 people in Canada and Saudi Arabia to work on the Al-Amar project.

More information about the Al-Amar mine is available (in English) from the Saudi Arabian Mining Co. at www.maaden.ca.