Under the agreement, Fluor and AC-Tek have agreed to work as exclusive partners for conveyor projects in key global mining geographies.

Fluor's recently launched subsidiary Virta, which provides bulk material-handling systems, is also part of the deal.

Leonardo Kaid, vice president of global business development and strategy for Fluor's Mining & Metals business, believes both companies are leaders in material-handling expertise.

"This exclusivity agreement improves Fluor's value proposition for mining and metals projects, as well as opportunities in other key markets like chemical plants and ports and terminals," he said.

Fluor and AC-Tek have collaborated on multiple overland conveyor projects since 2007.

With access to an extended, complementary portfolio of conveying solutions, Fluor said it could further build on its expertise in discrete element modelling, pipe conveyor design, pulley finite element analysis, laboratory testing, and field measurement and verification.

The two companies can now offer dynamic analysis for all overland conveyor projects to optimise equipment selection, including belting, drive systems, idler bearing and spacing, take-ups, braking and motor controls.

"Dynamic analysis, static analysis, horizontal curve design and the implementation into the system design are critical technical capabilities in a growing global market for effective and capital-efficient material-handling systems," Fluor said.

As conveyor length, geometric complexity and capacity increase, comprehensive dynamic analysis becomes more important and is a key element of Fluor's engineering offering.