July 23 2010
Laing O'Rourke has won the contract to erect two stackers and one reclaimer for the Sino Iron Project at the Cape Preston port in the Pilbara.
The tender assessment process included a priced submission followed by a presentation to the client, MCC Mining.
The presentation, which concentrated on Laing O’Rourke’s extensive history with machine construction, left MCC Mining in no doubt that they were in good hands.
Within the past 10 years, Infrastructure WA has built 25 stackers, reclaimers and shiploaders, 20 of them for handling iron ore.
This project will take the iron ore machine tally up to 23. The other materials handled are salt (three machines) and coal (two machines).
Laing O’Rourke’s Operations Manager Mike Douglas said he was pleased to maintain the strong record we had in the market.
“I have a personal tally of more than 20 machines – not all with Laing O’Rourke – and have a keen interest in increasing our capacity to build more,” Mr Douglas said.
“With the expansion in Western Australia’s iron ore industry, our reputation as the premium machine builder is a good place to be, as there will be up to 20 additional machines built during the next five years.”
Laing O’Rourke’s project is valued at more than $16 million, and includes the direct-hire delivery of all structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation trades, as well as no-load commissioning.
The construction program anticipates one stacker and the reclaimer will be available by Christmas 2010, to process the first ore at the port.
The second stacker will be completed by end of February 2011.
