The company has signed a cooperation agreement that will also see it work with indigenous groups Karlayura Construction Services, Eastern Guruma and the Ngarluma & Yindjibarndi Foundation to deliver the contract.

Brierty said design and planning work would start immediately, with mobilisation later this month.

“I am extremely pleased that we’ve been able to achieve a four-way agreement with our indigenous partners to deliver this contract,” Brierty managing director Peter McBain said.

“Brierty has been working very hard to secure additional contract mining work to build on the capability we have demonstrated with efficient and safe hematite mining and ore processing at the Karara project.

“With the mining portion of our works at Karara complete, the Rio contract provides a source of long-term revenue in addition to other long-term contracts, such as the Zuccoli development in the Northern Territory, and ongoing smaller civil contracts we continue to win.”

It is the fifth contract won by Brierty from Rio since 2012, with previous works including projects in the Wickham area, West Angelas and Brockman.

Earlier this month a joint venture between Brierty and Karlayura Construction Services won a $9.9 million contract for works at West Angelas.

Brierty shares were last trading 16.9% higher at 41.5c this morning.