QGE was engaged by Ausenco/Downer JV (ADJV) to provide electrical, instrumentation and control commissioning and planning assistance for the Carrapateena Copper plant during the start-up of the facility.
The QGE team completed general pre-commissioning, energisation, testing, and fault finding of Ball, SAG and HIG mills, conveyor systems, flotation systems, cyclones, reagent systems and more. Key roles were played in the commissioning of the high and low voltage distribution systems, comprising HV switchgear, kiosk HV substations, LV switchboards and motor control centres, as well as motors, instrumentation, and control system equipment.
OZ Minerals’ Carrapateena copper-gold mine and processing plant is located 160 km north of Port Augusta, South Australia. QGE was engaged by Ausenco (part of the Ausenco/Downer Joint Venture, ADJV) to provide commissioning support for processing plant and equipment and associated supporting infrastructure. The plant produced first concentrate in December 2019, following a three-year construction period.
The project utilised a Rockwell PlantPAX control system, Rockwell’s flagship integrated control system solution. PlantPAX provides “out of the box” integration to a wide range of Allen Bradley equipment, including the switchgear and VVVF drives used in the plant.
The Carrapateena project was large and complex. Multiple vendors, designers and construction interfaces needed to come together during the start up. QGE rapidly mobilised a team of six engineers and technicians to the project to provide a balance of skills and experience. Commissioning was completed on a tight schedule over 5 months at the end of 2019 and into early 2020.
The team needed all of their problem-solving skills, and worked collaboratively with vendors, JV partners, designers and other discipline personnel to deliver a commissioned plant for handover to the OZ Minerals operations team.
QGE are recognised leaders in hazardous areas and in grid connected solar PV, which is only possible because of our rock-solid foundation in electrical and controls engineering. We have the knowledge and experience to provide a cost-effective solution, whatever the problem.
Our cloud software, controls and telemetry solutions, and grid export control panels are all products of our ongoing investments in new technology and engineering processes, and we continue to push the boundaries with involvement in blockchain and peer-to-peer energy trading.
At QGE we genuinely enjoy what we do, which means we're always willing to go the extra mile for our customers to deliver the right solution. We have great client relationships because people like working with us.
The QGE team understood the project's constraints and requirements, and were able to deliver a commercial solution that has allowed Agrimin to achieve a higher renewables penetration and lower energy cost than it had expected.
Over several years, QGE have provided control systems design and on site support for upgrades and expansion projects. We've been very satisfied with the quality of their solutions and the high level of support they have provided our remote mine site.
QGE have worked with us for several years on hazardous area issues and have classified a number of our facilities, including new-technology processes, where we've been very satisfied with the pragmatic approach they've taken and the outcomes for our business.
