7.1.4 Progress on the township upgrade . Phase one of the township upgrade project, consisting of a water network, sewerage network, storm water control network, solid waste disposal and road works, was 75% complete by the financial year end. . The tender for phase two, namely the electrical reticulation upgrade project, was awarded in December 2010, with the contractor establishing the site in March 2011. . The phase three tender for the mechanical and electrical pumping equipment was awarded in February 2011. . Phase four relating to the waste water treatment works was at the environmental impact assessment (EIA) stage at financial year end because of some delays due to intersecting of bedrock. . The final estimated completion date for the entire project was 30 June 2012. . The total project expenditure at project completion was estimated at R110 million. . To boost production in December 2009, and following consultations with the Richtersveld community, Alexkor decided to invite suitable, interested parties to express an interest as contractors in mining the deep sea, middle sea, shallow water, beach and the curtailed areas of land mining. This was done through a rigorous tender process.