As mines expand, traditional ‘load and haul’ methods of trucking ore to the surface become less efficient, less sustainable and more costly. Prominent Hill is an underground mine and copper processing facility, producing a copper, gold and silver concentrate that is transported offsite for smelting and refining.
Improving mining efficiency and productivity
To support a more efficient and productive operation, AECOM was engaged to deliver the Pre-Feasibility Study, Feasibility Study and Detailed Design for BHP’s Prominent Hill Expansion Project in South Australia.
Currently, ore is loaded and trucked to the surface. Our work will enable Prominent Hill to transition to a more efficient materials handling system, involving an underground crusher (located roughly 900m below surface), hoisting shaft (capable of hoisting up to 6.5 million tonnes per year) and surface conveyor.
Our design services also included the supporting infrastructure for the mine expansion, including mine ventilation, high-voltage power, communication systems, water services and underground facilities.
Delivering to a tight timeframe
The team had nine months to determine if this new, technically complex project would be feasible. We successfully met the deadline so that BHP could seek approval and move to the execution phase. We used digital engineering and model-based delivery for improved processes, efficiency and seamless model turnover. This meant the client could view the model live and better understand the project as the design developed.
Collaborating with Traditional Owners
BHP is focused on local stakeholder engagement as the project progresses, including with contractors, cultural heritage organisations and Traditional Owners.
The Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara (AMY) peoples are the traditional owners of the land in which Prominent Hill is located. As a symbol of ongoing partnership, representatives of the AMY peoples named the mine’s new hoisting shaft “Wira Shaft” (pronounced wi-rah), meaning small bowl used for carrying and digging.
Embedding environmental sustainability
BHP is committed to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. The board specifically assessed the project’s environmental impact by attaching a carbon price to the project’s emissions.
Digital innovation
Innovative digital tools were used at all phases of the project, with a fully 3D digital model used for delivery. The feasibility study used early-stage digital modelling to show how key parts of the project would work together (Building Information Modelling LOD 200). As we moved to detailed design, we developed models further using more precise information with accurate dimensions and specifications to support decision-making (Building Information Modelling LOD 300). This reduced the need for significant time spent on 2D drawings.
This expansion is a game-changer for efficiency and sustainability in underground mining in Australia.