Utah Point
POAGS in conjunction with the Port Hedland Port Authority was instrumental in bringing together a group of junior miners and developing a multi product common user bulk materials handling facility for the Pilbara mining industry.
As one of the developer, investor and the operator of the Utah Point Bulk Facility (UPBF), POAGS has been involved in the project from concept right the way through the development, installation, commissioning and ongoing operations.
The facility, which became operation in Sept 2010, 3 months ahead of schedule, currently operates at an export capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum, and will export 22-24 million tonnes per annum by 2013. Being multi user the facility exports iron ore, manganese and chromite.
The project involved the development and operation of dedicated product specific in-loading systems to avoid product contamination issues and increase traffic flow as well as common user out-loading facility to a new berth and shiploader.
POAGS was fundamental in the design, commissioning and operation of Utah Point and provided significant value to the project through:
Design input of the facility;
Project managed the investment, design, construction and installation of all the in-loading and out-loading materials handling equipment;
Managed the commissioning of both the PHPA and POAGS infrastructure;
Developing and documenting all operating systems, processes and procedures; and
Commissioning and conducting operational simulation modelling of the facility.
The facility operates 13 pads in Stockyard 1 with 11 pads having dedicated truck receiving hoppers and stacking capability. Pad sizes vary from 80,000 to 120,000t stockpiles. In 2012 an estimated 14,000,000t will be received by quad road trains each hauling approximately 107t into the facility. A sophisticated traffic managements system, using RFID technology, manages the truck arrivals and the activation of the in loading conveyor systems automatically to ensure streamlined trucks through the facility.
Utah Point Berth Project
The Utah Point Berth Project (UPBP) at Port Hedland involves the development and operation of a common user bulk export facility primarily to serve the mining industry in the Pilbara. Utah Point will facilitate the development of a number of emerging commodities producers in the Pilbara region of Western Australia as well as providing a new facility for existing Port Hedland exporters.
POAGS is working in collaboration with the Port Hedland Port Authority (PHPA) and will involve an investment by POAGS of approximately $50 million in addition to the significant capital investment by the PHPA and the users. The throughput of the facility is expected to be in the order of 17 mtpa of various bulk products, predominantly iron ore and manganese. It is anticipated that the Utah Point project will commence operations in 2010. POAGS has developed a detailed operating and management plan for the facility and is actively working with the users to ensure that the operation meets their requirements. POAGS will operate and manage the facility.
On 17 September 2010 POAGS commenced loading 70,000 tonnes of iron ore for Atlas Iron onto the first vessel to utilise the new Utah Point Berth facility at Port Hedland. This was the culmination of over three years of work for the experienced POAGS team. POAGS worked in collaboration with the Port Hedland Port Authority and invested over $50 million in the project. POAGS designed and developed a high level of automation in the operation of the facility and has been responsible for wet commissioning and the development of operation procedures and systems.
The Utah Point facility will export up to 20 Mtpa of bulk products including iron ore and manganese for Atlas Iron, Consolidated Minerals, Mineral Resources and Moly Metals.
POAGS investment includes four Komatsu WA900 Front End Loaders, eleven receival and stockpiling systems (RSS), a mobile equipment workshop and an advanced automation and control system to manage truck movements and RSS operation. This high level of automation provides the ability to operate in a safe and efficient manner.
The Utah Point project demonstrates POAGS willingness and capacity to make significant investments in multi-user infrastructure and deliver the benefits of an independent operator for all exporters.