Disclaimer: Due to restrictions in releasing client operations we are unable to relay site specifics.

PROJECT : BELOW WATER TABLE MINE OPERATION

Location : East Pilbara

BACKGROUND

A below water table mine operation in the Shire of East Pilbara sustains the Newman Hub mining operations at a renowned Western Australian iron ore mine site.

The client approached Allied Pumps for an in-pit dewatering solution to discharge excess groundwater for a new section of pit. A solution was required within eight weeks. We accepted the challenge to design and manufacture a bore head works solution in this tight time frame.

THE CHALLENGE

It was essential the pit dewatering application system complied with stringent site specifications, so we gave special consideration to a customised design. It was also necessary to manufacture a remote monitoring and control system for integration with the site’s SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition).

Practical obstacles that we needed to overcome included the following:

• Working in demanding environmental conditions
• Complying with health and safety regulations
• Adhering to stringent deadlines

The system was required in an eight week time frame but some components, such as seamless flow meters, generally have a lead time of 14 weeks.

Further, it was essential to minimise downtime between mining activities. Therefore, on-site commissioning in an active mine area had to be scheduled between mining activities.

HOW WE WERE APPROACHED

Allied Pumps has served this client before. We were able to build on an existing relationship, having successfully delivered to their requirements in the past.

OUR SOLUTION

During the design phase of the project, we worked closely with onsite personnel to design a bore system that used equipment that would suit their requirements.

The technicians at Allied Pumps are familiar with designing and engineering applications for the most rugged and demanding mining applications. Our range of dewatering and water transfer pumps set the standard for open cut and underground mine dewatering and water transfer.

In this case, Allied Pumps provided Kwikbore bore head works systems which were trailer-mounted. This was to minimise dewatering and pumping downtime when we removed the existing equipment from the mining pit during blasting and installed the head works once the blasting was completed.

We supplied six mobile head works systems, each featuring a unique plug and play design with remote telemetry system for integration with the site’s SCADA system.

THE OUTCOME

Commissioning took place in a remote, active mining area with special consideration being given to health and safety considerations and the applicable mining work plan. It was essential to ensure that commissioning did not delay mining operations. Allied Pump’s experienced technicians carried out onsite commissioning to effectively integrate the pumping systems into the client’s site-wide SCADA system.

The Kwikbore trailer-mounted bore head works systems exceed client specifications. The project was delivered on time and on budget and operates to the specification set out in the clients scope of works.

Would you like to discuss your next borefield headworks project? Contact a member of our experienced team today.