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BHP Billiton project nears completion
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
CONSTRUCTION on the $3.4 billion BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina expansion project is now 98 per cent complete.
“Contractors are now putting the final touches on the project’s construction phase, which will reach practical completion at the end of May,” a company spokesman said on Tuesday.
“June onwards will see a small number of capital contractors assisting with the handover and commissioning phase.
“The Mornington Village accommodation camp will close on May 25.”
The expansion project, which began in 2008, involved developing a new mining area near Boddington, adding new equipment and technology at the refinery and improving rail handling facilities.
“Some of the major work undertaken at the refinery was the installation of 20 additional precipitation tanks, a sixth calciner, a fifth deep cone washer and two new bauxite stackers,” the spokesman said.
The expansion will lift production capacity from 3.5 million tonnes per year to 4.6 million tonnes per year making Worsley one of the biggest alumina refineries in the world.
The company’s latest public report says that first production from the expansion was achieved in the first quarter of this year and that the ramp up of production is underway.
About 8000 construction jobs were created during the expansion project and more than 3000 of these jobs went to local residents.
The construction workforce included 148 apprentices and trainees, most from local communities.
“Many completed their qualifications on the project while others will be able to finish their apprenticeships and traineeships on other projects,” the spokesman said.
“Contracting companies involved in the expansion provided more than $1 million in cash and in-kind sponsorship for local community groups and events.”
The project has also been widely praised by government and industry for its attention to road safety.
Worsley is the south-west’s largest private employer with nearly 2500 permanent employees and contractors at its mine, refinery and port operations. This includes 104 trainees and apprentices.
“Contractors are now putting the final touches on the project’s construction phase, which will reach practical completion at the end of May,” a company spokesman said on Tuesday.
“June onwards will see a small number of capital contractors assisting with the handover and commissioning phase.
“The Mornington Village accommodation camp will close on May 25.”
The expansion project, which began in 2008, involved developing a new mining area near Boddington, adding new equipment and technology at the refinery and improving rail handling facilities.
“Some of the major work undertaken at the refinery was the installation of 20 additional precipitation tanks, a sixth calciner, a fifth deep cone washer and two new bauxite stackers,” the spokesman said.
The expansion will lift production capacity from 3.5 million tonnes per year to 4.6 million tonnes per year making Worsley one of the biggest alumina refineries in the world.
The company’s latest public report says that first production from the expansion was achieved in the first quarter of this year and that the ramp up of production is underway.
About 8000 construction jobs were created during the expansion project and more than 3000 of these jobs went to local residents.
The construction workforce included 148 apprentices and trainees, most from local communities.
“Many completed their qualifications on the project while others will be able to finish their apprenticeships and traineeships on other projects,” the spokesman said.
“Contracting companies involved in the expansion provided more than $1 million in cash and in-kind sponsorship for local community groups and events.”
The project has also been widely praised by government and industry for its attention to road safety.
Worsley is the south-west’s largest private employer with nearly 2500 permanent employees and contractors at its mine, refinery and port operations. This includes 104 trainees and apprentices.
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