News & Media

September 2008

CONCOR ENGINEERING TO SUPPLY STRUCTURAL STEELWORK AT DOUGLAS-MIDDELBURG OPTIMISATION (DMO) PROJECT

Concor Engineering’s capacity to expertly handle heavy fabrication work was one of the motivating reasons for the company being awarded the contract for the detailing, fabrication and erection of the structural steelwork for BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa Limited’s (BECSA) DMO Project.

BECSA’s decision to go ahead with the $975-million DMO project to expand its Douglas and Middelburg Mines Services (MMS) collieries and build a new coal processing plant will enable the company to maintain energy coal exports from the combined Douglas Colliery and MMS, while also fulfilling domestic contractual commitments.

Concor Egineering’s portion of the contract also includes the installation of free issue platework and mechanicals. “We were appointed by DRA Mineral Projects for and on behalf of BECSA, and in total we will fabricate and supply 3 167 tons of structural steelwork and install 700 tons of platework and 3 000 tons of free issue mechanical,” Jakes Bosch, contracts manager at Concor Engineering, says. “In addition, a total of 11 076 m2 of floor grating will be installed and some 12 431 linear metres of handrailing will be used.”

Bosch explains that planning of the project is currently in progress. “The challenge for Concor Engineering will be the DMS (dense media separation) building, particularly from an erection point of view. The building is 96 metres in length, 40 metres wide and 45 metres high with a total weight of 2 300 tons. This is the single largest building that we will have fabricated and erected to date.”

As with all of its projects, the Concor group’s quality assurance department and Concor Engineering’s own AQ/QC Section are available to meet client’s requirements in accordance with SABS 0157 (ISO 9000 Series) Parts 1, 2 or 3 as required. “Our QA Systems are assessed annually by an external inspection authority, and we are a member of the SA Institute of Steel Construction, Water South Africa and Construction Engineering Association,” Bosch says.

“Alongside our adherence to QA standards and our ability to supply projects on time, within budget and to customer satisfaction, we place great emphasis on compliance with the highest, safety, health and environmental standards. We recognise the need for all our employees to work in a safe and healthy environment and therefore strives for zero harm,” Bosch concludes.

The DMO project will allow BECSA to realise maximum value from its assets by utilising the existing reserves at Douglas and MMS, thus enabling it to maintain exports through to 2034.

A 3D model of the steel structure for the DMS building.