Engineering and project delivery firm Ausenco has been awarded a contract to lead the feasibility study for the Ikkari gold project in northern Finland, owned by Rupert Exploration Finland Oy.
The project is located about 45 km from Sodankylä in the Lapland region and represents a significant grassroots gold discovery made in 2020. Following the completion of a Pre-Feasibility Study in early 2025, the project is now advancing toward development as a staged 3.5 million tonne per year mining operation with a planned mine life of around 20 years.
The development strategy предусматривает запуск открытой добычи в течение первых десяти лет, после чего проект перейдет на подземную разработку методом long-hole open stoping на оставшийся срок эксплуатации.
Ausenco will deliver a bankable feasibility study from its Perth office, integrating specialists from its teams in Australia and Canada. The company says the collaborative structure will combine global technical expertise with experience designing and delivering gold mining projects in remote and challenging environments.
Rupert Resources CEO Graham Crew said the appointment marks an important step in advancing the project toward development.
“The appointment of Ausenco represents an important milestone in advancing the project towards development,” Crew said. “Their proven ability to integrate teams from Australia and Canada in close collaboration with our project team and local partners ensures the delivery of a world-class study aligned with our strategic objectives.”
The feasibility study will cover value engineering, project implementation planning and detailed design of the processing plant and supporting mine infrastructure.
The study will be prepared to AACE Class 3 standards, providing capital and operating cost estimates with an accuracy of approximately ±15%. Ausenco will also act as the Qualified Person responsible for the NI 43-101 technical report.
The company plans to incorporate energy-efficient technologies and design features aimed at reducing the project’s carbon footprint, supporting Rupert Resources’ broader carbon-neutral targets.
Reuben Joseph, President for APAC and Africa at Ausenco, said the company looks forward to applying its experience in gold recovery technologies and energy-efficient project design.
“We are excited to partner with Rupert Resources on their Ikkari project,” Joseph said. “By leveraging our global gold study and project delivery experience, we are well positioned to deliver a robust study that supports Rupert’s operational, environmental and local community goals.”
Ausenco also emphasised the importance of working with local communities and regional organisations as the feasibility study progresses. The company said it will develop a project delivery framework that incorporates local expertise and aligns with regional standards, aiming to create long-term benefits for the surrounding region.
