CLIENT: Rio Tinto
PROJECT: Hydromining

SCOPE OF WORK:

Maxitool Dredging was engaged to de-silt the 55meg Dam at Rio Tinto Alcan’s Bauxite Mine in Weipa. This process was to allow for other works to be carried out on the pump pick / suction points. The dam is the main water feed dam for the process plant.

CHALLENGES FACED:

We initially conducted a Hydrographic Survey of the dam, using our purpose designed RC boat. Once we determined the silt build up level, we proceeded to de-water the dam at a rate of 1000l/s taking approximately 7 hours. Once the dam was de-watered we deployed the high pressure water cannons & HY85 Dragflow pumps. We had an initial window of 24 hours to complete the de-watering & de-silting of the 55meg dam.

ACHIEVEMENTS/OUTCOMES:

During the de-watering process we discovered an inverted sump, in other words there was a concrete wall around the suction pipes and as shown on the drawings. These indicated a sump of approximately 400mm deep below the finished floor level of the dam. We overcame this by repositioning the Drag flow pumps, into an area supported by 2 sides; while not as effective as a sump, it did produce a good end result. A successful outcome was achieved. The Client was able to carry out the required suction pipe maintenance and the process plant was able to operate all three pumps to design capacity.