Site Assets Services Workshop delivers on critical projects
The Site Assets Services workshop has successfully executed a crucial project for the slag hopper feed system at the copper concentrator. The slag hopper is an integral part of the concentrator's deslagging system, positioned between the boiler combustion chamber outlet and the chain slag conveyor.
The project team provided a customised service for our operations, encompassing the design, fabrication, engineering, and installation of a bespoke slag hopper. The new hopper replaced the existing one, ensuring efficient slag feeding into the concentrator.
-
Graeme Wylie and Fluro San Diego worked on the 24-tonne slag hopper project, devising innovative solutions with enhanced safety and manual handling.
-
Weir contractors carrying out rubber lining on the lower section of the discharge chute.
The custom-built slag hopper weighs 24-tonnes, fully-lined and measures 6-metres x 7-metres x 7-metres high. The workshop has a 40-tonne overhead crane which enables large jobs to be completed in the workshop.
Special tools known as welding buggies were purchased for the project. They are automated machines used to carry out the welding.
Percy Scobie, Superintendent of the workshop said the team devised some innovative solutions while carrying out the project, specifically targeted to improve safety and manual handling.
“The team invented a dogging bracket/support bracket to affix to the bin to reduce manual handling and to safety lock the angle into position for welding out,” says Percy.
“As part of the bracket for holding in the angle line, we’ve in-built a section for the rail of the welding buggy, so that once the angle line is fitted, we can then mount the buggy on the pipe and the buggy can safely and conveniently weld it out”.
-
Discharge end for 01 SAG for the Copper Concentrator Graeme Wylie and Percy Scobie.
-
SAG Mill Lower Pump Box in fabrication.
Percy said by using our site-based workshop, the business saved significant money on freight, and saved valuable time by providing a site-based fabrication service that was tailored to our operations.
“Cost savings have been made by fabricating the equipment on-site, rather than using an engineering service outside the operations, the workshop was able to quickly mobilise to provide the tailored service to our operations,” says Percy.
The in-house workshop boasts state-of-the-art equipment featuring the latest in Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) technology. It is equipped with a Mazak VCN-530C vertical machining center, a 5-axis TECHNI Waterjet, a CNC lathe, Pulse Mig Welders, NC sheet metal equipment, and an overhead crane with a lifting capacity of up to 40 tonnes, enabling the handling of larger projects.
With the capability to fabricate a wide range of items, from light gauge ducting to cold rolling 75mm plates, the workshop stands out as the most versatile in Mount Isa.
In addition to the slag feed hopper, the team have also completed a critical apron feeder project and a Copper Concentrator 01 SAG Mill discharge chutes project. The workshop employees spent 2,900 hours to complete the Copper Concentrator slag feed hopper and apron feeder project, and a further 1,180 hours on the discharge chutes project.