The economics of transportation is a key factor in the ultimate cost of a bulk commodity. Sandwell's site selection, master planning and seismic skills have assisted clients throughout Central and South America, North America and Australia, to construct economical marine and handling facilities, in remote and often inhospitable locations. From feasibility studies through to commissioning, we are experienced in the handling of most ores and concentrates, including iron ore, nickel, copper concentrate, bauxite and alumina. Past assignments include:
- site selection, conceptual design and implementation for copper concentrate export terminals in Peru, Chile and Argentina;
- master planning, development and implementation for iron ore terminals in Brazil and Australia.
Sandwell's work is distinguished by the customizing of key elements, such as as stackers and shiploaders, for unusual and extended applications.
Companía Minera Antamina, Huarmey, Peru
EPC copper-zinc export terminal
To process pipeline slurry, the port facilities include receiving, filtration, storage and reclaim of 1.2 million tonnes of copper concentrate and 0.6 million tonnes of zinc concentrate annually, and shiploading onto 50,000 DWT ships. Sandwell's involvement began with the original site selection. For the terminal's construction, an innovative EPC contract produced stellar results: the project was completed ahead of schedule, under budget, to high quality and with an outstanding safety record.
Hamersley Iron Pty, Dampier, Western Australia
EPC iron ore export terminals expansion
This multi-year U.S.$125 million project began with master planning and extensive simulation modeling to test existing and future throughput at Dampier's two terminals. In joint venture with Clough Engineering of Perth, the project included expanding the stockyards; increasing the capacity of reclaimers, shiploaders and conveyors; constructing a waiting berth for 350,000 DWT bulk carriers; and dredging a berth and channel for 190,000 DWT vessels. Hamersley is Australia's largest iron ore exporter, with annual throughput of some 65 million tonnes/year (up from 53 million before the expansion). By means of a complex schedule of shutdowns, throughput at the two terminals continued at record levels during the course of the project.
Companía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi SCM, Iquique, Chile
Turnkey copper export terminal
The single-quadrant shiploader for this one million t/a terminal features an enclosed tubular boom for dust and spillage containment. Extensive dynamic modeling of the combined shiploader and marine structures was used to design for the high seismic accelerations experienced in this region. The irregular, "spiky" profile of the underwater bedrock made pile installation challenging, and lacking any substantial overburden, the required pile design capacities were achieved by anchoring pile tips into the bedrock.
Minera Alumbrera Ltd., Rosario, Argentina
Copper export facility
With an annual throughput of 800,000 tonnes, this copper concentrate export terminal was designed for Panamax cargo vessels. In association with Fluor Daniel, the EPCM contractor, Sandwell provided both preliminary and detailed design, construction supervision for the marine structures, a shiploading system evaluation and development of the shiploader specifications.
Minera Escondida Limitada, Coloso, Chile
Copper export facility, 2003 upgrade
Severe seismic requirements were a factor in the design of this copper mine's shiploader and marine facilities. As a sub-consultant to Fluor Daniel, Sandwell provided conceptual and detailed design for the conveyor and loadout systems, a 1,500 t/h shiploader and associated port facilities. The facility is designed for ships up to 45,000 DWT.
In 2003 an upgrade to accommodate vessels up to 50,000DWT was completed. It had to cater to vessels both longer and wider than could be accommodated by the original design, without adding load to the existing structure or foundation. Sandwell's design solution met this need through a combination of a lightweight boom with greater outreach, a rotating curved spout that enabled ore to be deposited anywhere within a ship's hold, and an innovative dual fender system
