Mortimer Smelter Steelwork Successfully Completed
Cosira provides structural steel and platework for Swartklip’s Mortimer Smelter Furnace Upgrade Project
24 February , 2009
The completed structural steelwork and platework for the Mortimer concentrator smelter upgrade at Swartklip platinum mine, 80 kilometres south west of Thabazimbi, was completed in just eight months last year, despite a significant increase in the scope of work and steel tonnage originally specified.
The furnace is intended for the further refining of the platinum ore process, and will substantially increase production capacity at the smelter. This is according to John da Silva, Mortimer project sponsor and CEO of the Cosira Group.
“It gives us great pleasure to meet client expectations - with matching high quality - in all aspects of our complete turnkey management solutions. The successfully completed Mortimer furnace smelter upgrade is just one example of this. Cosira were responsible for the full detailing, fabrication, corrosion protection, tracking and delivery of all steelwork and platework. Anglo Platinum has awarded this contract during October 2007, with shutdown commencing on 1 February 2008 and completion by mid June of last year,” notes da Silva.
“Approximately 822 tonnes (of locally-produced steel were used at the final count). The original scope of work called for just 520 tonnes; however this was increased during the project. The capital value of the project also increased, accordingly” continues da Silva.
G&H Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd managed this contract for and on behalf of Anglo Platinum. The furnace design engineers, Hatch, produced the drawings for the furnace and G&H produced all drawings for all the furnace wrap-around areas and facilities.
The entire management solution for this project was run on Microsoft Projects software, which proved extremely successful. All detailing was undertaken by Cosira’s in-house draughting facility at Heriotdale, using the draughting software package Tekla Structures.
Cosira Project manager, Mike van Vuuren, notes: “The complexity of the project and the evolving scope of work required constant close co-operation with the client at all levels. Occasional supply and logistical challenges were efficiently handled by means of flexibility, thorough organisation and excellent across-the-board supplier relationships, to ensure a timeous completion.”
“Although the steelwork was corrosion-protected by means of a full paint-specifications system, there were certain areas where specialised steelwork was required. One of these areas was the tundishes for the furnace water cooled system. . Due to the corrosive conditions involved, 3CR12 stainless steel was used for this application,” continues van Vuuren.
The EPCM Project Manager Motty Greenblat, of G&H Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd, states: “The furnace upgrade was a challenging project, as the deadline dates and delivery sequences were extremely tight. Design enhancements on the new furnace were implemented after the contract was awarded, but despite this, Cosira delivered a very good performance.”
“Cosira’s infrastructure and experience were key factors in the successful completion of the Mortimer Furnace Upgrade Project. Previous successes on projects of a similar nature stood us in good stead, allowing us to adapt to evolving requirements, and our broad-based capabilities and excellent supplier database also came to the fore when supplemental services or materials were required. We are proud to add Mortimer Smelter Furnace Upgrade to our list of completed projects” concludes Cosira’s Da Silva.