Leonardo Kaid, vice president of global business development and strategy for Fluor's Mining and Metals business, said Virta would capitalise on Fluor's "existing material-handling technical capabilities, project execution experience and global reach, combined with a lean, agile and capital-efficient DNA".

The Virta team, led by industry veteran Grant Graber, is supported by Fluor's global subject matter experts in bulk material handling and pit-to-port solutions.

Fluor said the new subsidiary would add strength to its existing capabilities by providing a "flexible, lean, solutions-based approach in response to the growing demand for innovative and capital efficient design-supply material handling systems for global clients".

Virta will offer full design-supply solutions for bulk material handling systems for overland conveying, crushing and screening, plant and underground conveyors, stockpiling and reclaim, mills and concentrators, and storage and loading facilities.

Fluor said the company's solutions will address industry challenges and trends such as: demand growth in conveyor and stacking systems for dry tailings; wider application of heap-leach technology; in-pit crushing and conveying; off-site pre-assembly and modularisation; and ore conveying as a more economic and environmentally favourable alternative to trucking.

Headquartered in Texas, US, Fluor ranks 164 on the Fortune 500 list with revenue of US$19.2 billion in 2018, and it has more than 53,000 employees worldwide.