Under the contract, thyssenkrupp will design, supply, construct and commission large-scale stockyard machines – possibly the largest in the world – for the BHP South Flank iron ore project in WA's central Pilbara region. The contract is valued at $AUD237.5 million.
The project is targeting first ore extraction in 2021. With an output of 80 million tonnes per year, it will fully replace production from BHP's Yandi mine, which is reaching the end of its economic life. The project will create many opportunities for WA suppliers.
“South Flank will be one of the largest iron ore operations worldwide,” said Torsten Gerlach, CEO of the mining technologies unit at thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions. “We look forward to contributing to this project by combining long-standing global expertise in the mining business with local experience.
“Our strong partnership with BHP extends globally, but the Pilbara region is a core area where we have provided material handling solutions for decades.”
thyssenkrupp will supply two stackers that deposit iron ore into stockyards, and a reclaimer for loading the ore onto rail to Port Hedland. The machines will have a capacity of 20,000 tonnes per hour and their designs incorporate the latest Australian Standards requirements and technology improvements centred on safe construction, operation and maintenance activities.
thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions' mining technologies business unit supplies a full range of machinery, systems, equipment and services for the extraction, processing, storage and transportation of raw materials.
In collaboration with customers in the mining and minerals sectors globally, the mining technologies business unit develops custom, forward-looking solutions that enhance productivity and allow natural resources to be used responsibly and efficiently.
Source: thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions