GEMCO

Two years’ collaboration with BHP Billiton Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) to develop a solution to reprocess manganese ore stored in tailings stockpiles led to Sedgman’s appointment to undertake engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the PC-02 Project.

The project increased the existing 4.8Mt/a concentrator plant’s capacity by 0.5Mt/a. Following on from early feasibility study stage, Sedgman’s scope comprised detailed design, supply, fabrication, construction and commissioning of a sands beneficiation plant, port stockpile expansion and associated infrastructure.

The plant can be fed by either reprocessing tailings through the dedicated new ROM or taking the current plant tailings from the existing cyclone plant circuit through a new online feed. The product is loaded through a new automated facility and trucked to a dedicated receiving station at the upgraded port and stored in a 143m long shed. PC-02 (Premium Concentrate) will be blended on the outbound shiploading product conveyor with GEMCO’s exiting MF-02 (Metfines) product to achieve best price to market.