Port Availability Improvement Project

BHP engaged Sedgman Onyx to carry out initial investigations through to detail design for this project. This programme of works targeted increased availability of equipment across BHP’s Port Hedland iron ore circuits.  

Details

Location
Pilbara, Western Australia
Contract type
Engineering Design
Status
Completed
Sector
Mineral Processing
Expertise
Upgrades and Overhauls
Client
BHP - Minerals Australia

Overview

Sedgman Onyx completed the study phases through to the detailed design to meet planned construction windows at the port. The project included several innovative design solutions to reduce operational downtime and planned shutdown durations. 

The scope of the project included: 

  • Automated transfer chute wash cannons to eliminate ore build up 
  • Specialised ultrasonic belt rip detectors  
  • Automated conveyor tracking frames 
  • Transfer chute maintenance isolation gates  
  • Transfer chute improvements. 

 The transfer chutes had long standing issues requiring practical and innovative design solutions to minimise disruption to operational plant. 

We applied root cause analysis techniques and discrete element modelling (DEM) expertise to resolve longstanding issues.  

This challenging brownfield project took advantage of our specialist root cause analysis and DEM capability to resolve longstanding issues. We collaborated with BHP’s project and site representatives to implement a constructive design process through successive study and detailed design phases.  

We successfully co-ordinated the contributions of client, vendor and engineering stakeholders to develop designs for equipment that had never previously been used in iron ore site applications.