Project Description
- Bid for and secure the contract for replacing the copper smelter tapping floor ventilation system
- Meticulously plan out the 28 day 24 x 7 campaign
- Implement the plan. Man manage the direct hire workforce
- Charter a passenger aircraft to mobilise the 50-person workforce for the assignment and return flight on its completion
- Commission the ventilation plant and put it into service
Project Details
Client: BHP Billiton
Location: Olympic Dam
The Challenge
- Plate construction heavy duty ventilation system drawing air and fumes from copper furnace tapping point floor had proven inadequate for the air change required for a safe working environment
- Ductwork, intake points, induced draft fan and stack were to be replaced concomitantly with a routine smelter shutdown
- Client required a fresh, competent team to deal with the critical project
- Pre-shut and post-shutdown removal of old system and installation of new to the extent possible while maintaining ventilation flows was to be performed in tandem with smelter operations including molten copper and slag tapping
- Conception and implementation of all safe work plans
- Mobilisation of all tools, equipment, materials and consumables for the project. Nothing could be missed due to site remoteness
- Performing the work in a tight commercial framework to return a profit for the Contractor
The Outcome
- Work completed within the programmed duration
- All safe work initiatives and risk management proved effective. No recordable incidents
- All procedures and regulations required to work on Olympic Dam site, which are extensive, were resolved without controversy
- The inevitable disruptions which arise in such a project were dealt with in a cooperative way. Resolution plans were quickly developed and implemented with minimum interruptions to other work
- The Contractor achieved the target profit