Project
The current state of the project is that there are some civil structures being erected , with work on the mechanicals starting later this year and the EC & I in early 2024 .
Northam Platinum , with BBE having provided consulting service to the mining house for many years , as well as being involved in the construction of several cooling systems at Zondereinde .
“ Northam Platinum and their EPCM ( Engineering , Procurement and Construction Management ) contractor , felt comfortable trusting us with this project , given our track record , experience and specialist skills ,” Branch says . “ While the construction and technology used for this project are not unique , they are tried and trusted . Northam already has a large refrigeration plant on their existing No . 1 Shaft , and this new plant mimics that design .”
Branch advises that no significant challenges have been encountered during the project to date , adding that the company collaborated with the mine and the EPCM to identify any potential pinch points early and address them . For example , the long-lead refrigeration machine equipment , that was sourced from the US , was ordered early to give the Original Equipment Manufacturer ( OEM ) enough time to manufacture it , given global material shortages and a fragile supply chain . underground works , as well as an upcast fan station on the ventilation hole . “ Ventilation and cooling form an integral part of the operational plan for Northam Platinum ’ s new block of ground . They would likely not be able to mine it economically without this new infrastructure ,” Branch explains .
LONG ASSOCIATION Branch further elaborates that BBE ’ s appointment to the project was based in part on the company ’ s long association with
BESPOKE DESIGN BBE Consulting company started working with Northam on this project in 2018 with the pre-feasibility and feasibility work , then the front-end engineering and costing work for the mine through to late 2021 , as part of the owner ’ s team .
“ We worked closely with the EPCM on the mine design and specifying it as it relates to the ventilation requirements . We ' ve consulted and constructed for Northam for close to 20 years , so it was a natural progression in late 2021 to be called in on the ventilation and cooling side of the new shafts , as part of the normal tender process for a large mining project . We were appointed in May 2022 on a lump sum turnkey basis for the full scope and signed the contract in August 2022 .”
While the HVAC & R project value component is confidential , Branch says it is “[ B ] ig in our lives , the biggest contract BBE
The project has already seen the completion of the No . 3 Shaft barrel development , while another two shafts are still under construction .
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I May 2023 37