Grosvenor Underground Coal Mine Execution

Anglo American Coal | Australia | 2011–2016

US$100 million

under budget

8-year

project relationship

7 months

ahead of schedule

8 km

overland conveyor commissioned to 100% speed no-load, in 1 week

Challenges

  • Develop an underground longwall metallurgical coal mine to produce up to 7 Mtpa of run-of-mine coal to become about 5 Mtpa of exportable coking coal.
  • Ensure minimal impact on production at the existing Moranbah North mine, while using its coal preparation plant, rail loops, water infrastructure, and support facilities.
  • Perform very detailed assessment and engineering work to integrate new equipment with 15-year-old Moranbah equipment halfway through its useful life.

Solutions

  • Provide EPCM services for the project execution phase, including rigorous vendor quality surveillance and overall commissioning responsibilities.
  • Construction began in July 2012 with first coal production achieved in May 2016.
  • Since May 2013, we have worked in a truly integrated team, with reporting and responsibilities flowing in both directions between client and us.
  • 项目受益于采购效率China and shop detailing from South Africa. Safety system was ranked “the most comprehensive” for coal mine construction by Queensland Mines Inspectorate.

Highlights

  • Expected operating life is now over 30 years
  • The Grosvenor project forms a major part of coal business unit’s growth strategy

“We don't have Hatch people and Anglo American people; we're all playing for the GPT [Grosvenor project team]. Our surface construction manager likes to say it’s a team of hard hitters and crowd pleasers, and I have to agree.”

Gregory O'Donnell|Grosvenor Project Site Manager, Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal Business

“Given that the commissioning crew commissioned a substantial conveyor like this in a one-week timeframe, an achievement like this should not be underestimated. Quite often, when major works like this appear to happen so easily, people have a tendency to forget the previous efforts that have gone into design, construction, supervision, QA, and commissioning.”

Shaun Smith|Project Manager (surface) at the Grosvenor project, Anglo American

Project numbers

US$1.7 billion
7 Mtpaincrease in production capacity for the next 30+ years
7 monthsahead of schedule

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