Hail Creek Coal Mine Civil Works

Fast facts

About

This project involved construction – all self-performed – of a new 10 km access road and draining from Glenden Development Road to the new coal mine site. A second package was also awarded to Seymour Whyte due to excellent performance which included bulk earthworks elements for the MIA and CHPP at the mine site.

The scope of works included:

• Approximately 1 million m3 bulk earthworks for processing areas and mine facilities (300,000 m3 of major cut-fill earthworks)
• Rock excavation – including drill and blast
• Major large diameter helical and RCBC culverts, including staged construction in flowing waterways
• Roadworks and underground services
• Welded HDPE lined water storage dam

Project challenges include:

• The project location and limited construction water availability [the team sourced off-site via turkey nests, bores and haulage]
• Requirement to produce gravels using quarried ridge gravel to meet DTMR specifications (crushing and adjustments required)
• Introduction of the new Mines Act, mid-contract necessitating revision of all plans and systems to comply with the new legislation. The transition was successfully managed via collaboration between all parties, with changes enacted in a timely manner and with no detrimental impacts.
• Acquisition of all necessary regulatory and environmental permits
• Negotiation with landowners for access to some areas of the mine development lease and maintain positive relationships throughout