Eldridge, Brightstar Capital Partners (Brightstar), and Claure Group have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Ausenco from Resource Capital Fund VI L.P. and other co-investors.
Ausenco is a global integrated engineering and consulting services provider serving the minerals and metals industries and the energy transition sector.
Zimi Meka, co-founder of Ausenco, will retain his position as CEO, serve on the Board, and continue as an investor in the company. Mike Burke, former Chairman and CEO of AECOM, has been an advisor and partner to Eldridge and the consortium of buyers. It is expected that Mr. Burke will assume the role of Chairman on Ausenco’s Board of Directors.
Founded in 1991, Ausenco employs 3,000 professionals dedicated to tackling some of the world’s most complex engineering and consulting projects. Their expertise is leveraged to provide end-to-end sustainable solutions for clients and communities. This includes designing and constructing efficient mine and metal extraction facilities, delivering sustainable mine waste and water management solutions, and engaging with local and Indigenous communities to create lasting benefits.
Zimi Meka expressed Ausenco’s commitment to challenging the boundaries of what’s possible and delivering services with integrity and sustainability throughout the project lifecycle.
Eldridge’s co-founders, Todd Boehly, Tony Minella, and Duncan Bagshaw, praised Ausenco’s contributions over the past three decades and expressed excitement about enhancing and diversifying the company’s service offerings in partnership with its world-class management team.
Brightstar Capital Partners Founder and CEO Andrew Weinberg highlighted Ausenco’s strategic positioning for future growth, especially in light of the increasing demand for metals and minerals crucial to sustainable solutions and the global transition to electrification and electric vehicles.
Marcelo Claure, Founder and CEO of Claure Group, emphasized Ausenco’s strong presence and project pipeline in Latin America, emphasizing the company’s role in the region’s pivotal role in producing essential minerals for sustainable energy solutions. Claure Group will join Ausenco’s Board of Directors, actively contributing to the electrification of the world.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be finalized in the near future.