Horizon 1 Mining Projects

Program management to expand one mine and develop two new ones and the supporting infrastructure to deliver iron ore to port.

Location

Pilbara Region, Australia

Client

Atlas Iron

Project Value

AU$260 million

Project Status

Completed 2013

Atlas Iron (Atlas) is an independent Australian iron ore company that mines and exports Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) from its operations in the Northern Pilbara region of Western Australia. When it planned to double its hematite iron ore production from 6 to 12 million metric tonnes per year during 2013, the company sought to expand its existing mine and develop two new ones. It also needed to increase capacity of the supporting haulage and port infrastructure to deliver product to Port Hedland.

The Horizon 1 projects incorporated the Pardoo, Mt Dove, Wodgina and the Abydos mines. In engaging WSP, Atlas wanted to ensure a strong alignment between the two firms’ values and culture so that the integrated team had the greatest chance of success. Atlas also wanted an innovative, cost-effective and fit-for-purpose approach to its program of work and nature of operations.

Leveraging our mining experience

Atlas engaged WSP to deliver the Horizon 1 projects as the program management consultant for the mine and infrastructure components, using an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracting model.

Our approach was to provide key people with mining experience immediately into Atlas, supported by a recruitment program to deliver additional personnel as required, depending on the type and scope of the development.

To add value to the project, we brought innovative ideas gained across numerous projects in Australia.

Cost-effective project delivery

In cooperation with Atlas, we reduced the capital costs of the development program and improved the present value of the developments by reducing costs in areas such as haul road construction, crushing and screening, and materials handling.

In addition, we worked with Atlas to improve its project management systems, procedures and organisational framework using our knowledge and experience of procurement and construction management systems and solutions.

With relatively short mine lives, the Abydos Mine is the only one that remains in production with a predicted end date of 2018.