Anglo Coal Australia has formed an alliance with Thiess Sedgman Joint Venture (TSJV) to deliver the $346m Dawson project, the largest design and construct contract awarded in the Australian coal industry.
One of the largest private sector alliances undertaken in Australia, the Dawson Alliance is responsible for the upgrade of the mine’s coal handling and processing capability, which will see the coal handling and processing capacity at the Dawson mine increase from 7mtpa to 12mtpa. Specifically, the alliance is responsible for the design, construction and commissioning of a new coal handling and processing plant at the mine, which will include six fully automated stacker/reclaimer machines on the raw and product coal stockpiles.
The raw coal system will accept coal from three separate mine sources delivered by an overland conveyor system, with the CHPP processing at 2000tph in two-stage mode and up to 3400tph in single stage mode. The state-of-the-art plant contains dense medium cyclones, spirals and flotation circuits.
The product coal will then be loaded via high capacity automated reclaimers to a new rail load out facility. In addition to the design and construction of the CHPP, the alliance has also been awarded the bulk earthworks contract. Located 140km south west of Gladstone, the Dawson coal mine is operated by Anglo Coal Australia.
The project is scheduled for completion in May 2007, with the construction workforce peaking at 450 people.
Dawson Alliance manager Andrew Paterson says the Dawson upgrade project was an exciting step forward for the Australian coal industry.
“We’re pleased to be part of this milestone project that will set a benchmark in alliancing in the coal industry and we’re looking forward to delivering a value added outcome,” Paterson says.
“Not only is this project a milestone in the coal industry, it will also provide many economic benefits to the local Moura community in the form of employment and local business opportunities. We’re proud to be part of that,” he says.