South American hydropower and infrastructure consultancy firm Caminosca S.A. has signed an agreement to merge with Australian environmental services company Cardno.

Once the agreement is finalized, Caminosca and its 400-person staff in Quito will become part of Cardno's Latin American operations.

"Both of our firms understand the unique needs associated with serving the Latin American market and combine a balance of high-end expertise with local community engagement," said Eduardo Jacome, President of Caminosca.

Caminosca is currently involved with development of the 600-MW Cardenillo hydropower plant on Ecuador's Paute River, along with a number of mining, environmental, roads, sewage, urban development, airport and water management projects.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2013.

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