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25 September 2009
GHD will bring its infrastructure design strength to the
Cape Lambert Magnetite Project in Western Australia's Pilbara
region, with MCC Australia Holdings appointing the firm to conduct
feasibility studies for its port, power and water
requirements.
MCC have also appointed a combined
GHD-GRD Minproc team to conduct overall study management for the
project, which also requires an accommodation village and mine
planning.
GHD Western Australia Manager Graham
Greenacre said the project was aligned with GHD's strategy to
migrate its strong infrastructure design capability into the
resources sector.
“GHD has provided more than 30 years
of engineering excellence on many of our state’s major water, power
and transport infrastructure projects, including the recently
opened Kwinana Freeway extension and Forrest Highway project, and
it is from this solid foundation that we now offer
multi-disciplinary services to the resources sector," he said.
The work for MCC includes a concept study for
a new 350MW power station, with combined cycle and open-cycle gas
turbines being chosen over diesel-fired power generation, a
detailed investigation of port options with infrastructure to
support ship loading, workshops, warehousing, site offices and fire
controls, and a 110,000m³ per day desalination plant.
GHD commenced environmental assessment and
approval work on the project earlier this year, with the scope of
the original land-based work being increased to include possible
dredging requirements for the new port.
Work on the feasibility studies began this week and
is expected to be completed in nine months.
GHD will also provide engineering
services for the Oakajee Industrial Estate and Port Project – one
of the most significant industrial developments in Australia.
The multi-billion dollar project, near
Geraldton, will underpin the development of the iron ore industry
in Western Australia’s Mid West by delivering world-class
infrastructure and an integrated transport supply chain.
GHD will act as Engineering Services
Consultant to LandCorp, which is developing the Oakajee Industrial
Estate Structure Plan. It is envisioned that the industrial estate
will accommodate value-adding downstream processing of minerals and
oil and gas sourced from the Mid West, as well as export of
products from the region’s mines.
GHD has had a presence in Geraldton since 1986
and has been involved in geotechnical investigations, surveying,
planning and engineering studies on the Oakajee site since
1993.
Mr Greenacre said the highly experienced
project team would review previous work undertaken to help LandCorp
deliver a serviceable and globally competitive industrial
estate.
“The Premier has stated that this is the
single most important project for Western Australia’s economic
development over the next 50 years, and as such we have assembled a
highly experienced team to provide the highest standard of
engineering services to the project,” he said.
“The successful integration of the port, rail
and road access in particular is a key issue that our integrated
transport planning team, led by Paul Fisher, will be working to
resolve.”
For more information contact:
Patrick
O'Boyle