Overview
SMS Group Services has maintained a long-standing partnership with Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine since 2005, beginning during the construction phase under BHP Billiton. Our initial scope included complete access services for a major greenfield project valued at $1.4 billion. Despite the mine’s closure in 2009 due to market conditions, SMS was re-engaged when First Quantum Minerals acquired the site and recommissioned the plant in 2011.
We have continued to support the site through all operational phases, including restarts, expansions, and shutdowns. In 2024, when RNO entered Care and Maintenance for the fourth time, SMS remained active on site as a trusted access contractor.
Scope of Work
- Provision of scaffold equipment and labour across shutdowns, maintenance, and emergent scopes within a complex brownfields hydrometallurgical plant
- Design, installation, QA, and dismantling of scaffold systems in live processing areas, often around ageing or legacy infrastructure
- Deployment of regionally based crews, supporting local employment and reducing reliance on FIFO labour
- Ongoing scaffold inspection and safety compliance across both legacy and modern structures
- Standby support for rapid mobilisation during unplanned works and emergency shutdowns
Outcome
SMS has delivered over 15 years of uninterrupted access support at RNO, earning a reputation for reliability, resilience, and adaptability. We have maintained continuity through ownership changes, market cycles, and operational transitions. Our crews have consistently delivered safe, compliant scaffolding services without significant incident, even in constrained, high-risk environments. The depth of site knowledge within our team has led to better planning, faster mobilisation, and more efficient execution across the life of the operation.
This project remains one of SMS’s most enduring partnerships and continues to highlight our ability to perform under pressure in remote and complex industrial settings.
This project demonstrates the flexibility, commitment, and safety-first approach that defines SMS Group Services.