Dutch firm starts hauling for $5 billion WA iron ore project
Dutch heavy haulage specialist Mammoet has started transporting the first heavy components for the new BHP South Flank iron ore mine currently under construction in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
About 1,900 items including prefabricated and modular mine processing plant units of various sizes will be transported from Port Hedland to the new mine site, located 340km away.
The US$3.6 billion (A$5.5 billion) South Flank project will replace production from BHP’s Yandi mine, which is nearing the end of its life.
Production is expected to start in 2021. Once complete, it will be one of WA’s largest iron ore processing facilities.
“Mammoet has a deep and long-standing expertise providing services to the mining industry,” the firm says.
“With existing operational branches based in Port Hedland and Karratha, Mammoet is highly equipped to provide localised support for the project.
“This will help deliver significant employment opportunities for the local contractors and professionals.”
Mammoet announced a massive windfarm logistics deal last year
Mammoet details the scale of its operation in Western Australia.
“Mammoet has 96 axle lines of self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) located in the port and the mine site, as well as 178 axle lines of conventional trailers with 14 prime movers.
“The company has approached the large-scale logistics project with detailed planning to coordinate the thousands of components that are arriving at the port over 14 shipments and ensure they are delivered to site safely and on time.”
Offering an insight into Mammoet fleet recently was Volvo Bus at Truck Centre WA.
It lauded the delivery of custom-built 170T and 250T Mack Titan and Volvo FH16 700 Globetrotter prime movers to the Dutch firm’s Australian operation.
“Paired with the powerful 685hp MP10 Mack 16-litre engine and 700hp Volvo 16-litre engine and paired with the mDrive and Volvo I-shift transmission,” customer manager Aad Boeve notes.
“Custom built in Brisbane Queensland, proudly Australian made.
“Thank you Mammoet Australia for choosing Mack and Volvo trucks which are locally engineered, to suit Australian conditions and individual customer requirements.”