Tom Price Tailings Storage Facility Southern Cell

Centreline embankment raise of the Southern Cell, 4m high, including the decommissioning of existing and commissioning of new pipework.

Bulk earthworks, constructing a tailings dam in the Pilbara

Location: Tom Price, WA

Client: Rio Tinto

Duration: May 2017 – January 2018

Removal and disposal of existing pipe and infrastructure, installation of temporary pipework, to enable continued deposition whilst 305,000m3 of bulk and detailed earthworks for several embankment raises were completed. Supply and Installation of 5km of new deposition HDPE and 108no. Polyurethane lined steel pipework with valving. Pressure testing and commissioning of the new pipework. All completed in-house. Accelerated the schedule to reduce overall work schedule by 61 work days to facilitate continuous tailings deposition.

Clearing, grubbing and topsoil stirpping;
Establishing a borrow pit;
Establishing a turkeys nest;
Excavate a key in tailings;
Hard rock excavation for an emergency spillway;

Foundation preparation;
Strip existing wearing course and stockpile for re-use;
305,000m3 of constructed zoned embankment;
Trim subgrade and batters;
Construct windrows;
Supply, polyweld and install 6.8km of HDPE Pipework;
108no. Polyurethane lined steel specials and Knife Gate Valves for spigot dropper assemblies;
Pavement construction;
Trim wearing course;

Excavate floodway level crossings and place rock protection;
Supply and install 77m x DN300 CSP culverts and cement stabilised fill;
Supply, polyweld and install 6.8km of HDPE Pipework;
108no. Polyurethane lined steel specials and Knife Gate Valves for spigot dropper assemblies;
Pavement construction;
Trim wearing course;
Excavate floodway level crossings and place rock protection;
Supply and install 77m x DN300 CSP culverts and cement stabilised fill;

Polywelding and pipeworks installation, constructing a tailings dam in the Pilbara

Rehabilitate borrow area, constructing a tailings dam in the Pilbara

Supply and install guideposts and delineators;
Supply and install signage including heritage delineation and signage;
Rehabilitate the borrow pit;
Install VWP’s and data loggers;
Install concrete survey monitoring points;
Install bollards;
Procure manual handwheel knifegate, butterfly, air valves, OD355 (DN350) SDR17 PN10 PE100 HDPE pipe, OD250 (DN250) SDR17 PN10 PE100 HDPE pipe, OD160 (DN150) SDR17 PN10 PE100 HDPE pipe for slotted spigot droppers, Table E backing rings, sweep bends and elbows, PU-lined steel reducing tees, gaskets, bolt sets and mining hose;
Decommission decant tower bridge;
Hydrostatic pressure test;
Commission.