ASX-listed integrated engineering, construction and asset management company Lycopodium has delivered earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of $68.7-million for the year ended June 30, which is at the top-end of its guidance.

The company’s net profit after tax of $42.4-million generated in the reporting year was supported by a quality portfolio of projects and the start of newly awarded contracts. This compares to a net profit after tax of $50.7-million in the prior year.

Earnings a share amounted to $1.06 apiece, compared with earnings a share of $1.27 apiece in the prior financial year.

The company declared a final dividend of $0.25 apiece and a full-year dividend of $0.35 apiece.

The normalised full-year dividend, including $0.28 allocated to the Saxum acquisition, amounts to $0.63 apiece, reflecting a 60% payout ratio.

Lycopodium acquired a majority stake in an Argentina-based multidisciplinary engineering company called Saxum, which provides services to the mineral processing, cement and lime, manufacturing, infrastructure, and oil and gas sectors.

While the Saxum acquisition expands the company’s footprint in Latin America, a newly opened office in Vancouver expands the company’s presence in Canada.

The Canadian office will target clients headquartered in the region, including TSX-listed exploration companies.

Lycopodium’s operations in Africa are represented by ADP Holdings, which recently rebranded to Lycopodium.

The group’s combined operations clocked 15-million workhours in the reporting year, while maintaining a solid safety record.

Some of the company’s notable projects included the North Concentrator Footprint Reduction project at Valterra Platinum’s Mogalakwena mine, in South Africa, as well as participation in a study with the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre, in Australia.

The company is currently supporting the development of Ardea’s Kalgoorlie nickel project in Western Australia, which is anticipated to become one of the largest nickel and cobalt producers in Australia. Lycopodium’s scope of work on the project includes a definitive feasibility study and design engineering of the project’s hydrogen sulphide plant.

Going into the next financial year, Lycopodium says demand drivers for the company’s innovative engineering and delivery capabilities remain strong, supported by bespoke engineering expertise.