CLIENT: Yancoal
PROJECT: Dredging – Mt Thorley Warkworth 12N
SCOPE OF WORK:
Maxitool Australia was engaged to desilt the 12N Dam at Yancoal’s Mount Thorley Warkworth Operations. The aim was to increase the dams’ water holding capacity. The 12N dam is the main water source for the North CHPP plant.
CHALLENGES FACED:
Firstly, we conducted a Hydrographic Survey of the dam using our purpose designed remote controlled boat. After determining the amount of solids in the dam, we dredged using one of our horizontal auger dredges. The dam was full of debris such as wooden pallets, lay flat hoses, HDPE pipe, old chain wire fence as well as re-saleable coal that had washed in from the nearby coal stockpiles during rain events.
ACHIEVEMENTS/OUTCOMES:
At the end of the project, the water holding capacity of the dam went from approximately 20% to nearly it’s built capacity. The Client was extremely happy with the results as the suction pipe for the water supply to the CHPP was no longer picking up dirty and contaminated water which, in turn, would save on pump maintenance in the future. At the conclusion of the project, the client also mentioned that our dredging operations had produced enough coal for the project to be almost cost neutral to them. Without the dredging, this coal would not have been accessible.