AMOG provided pre-feasibility and feasibility engineering services to Arup/BHP Billiton to study options and develop concepts for the import of 3000 tonne Pre Assembled Modules (PAMs) of processing plant for the expansion of the Olympic Dam mine for the BHP Billiton (BHPB) Olympic Dam Expansion Project.

This study included:

• Assessment of the technical viability of the “modularisation” approach for the delivery of the PAMs via sea
• Identification of a preferred concept for the marine transport of the PAMs in the upper Spencer Gulf, and the offloading to shore
• Identification of preferred site/s for the offloading of the PAMs in the upper reaches of the Spencer Gulf, and the establishment of a dedicated terminal
• ssessment and determination of suitable routes for sea passage to the preferred landing location. (Included navigational aids, maritime experience and /or pilot support)
• Review of the regulatory and permitting requirements, and the organisational requirements, for the establishment of a dedicated PAMs offloading terminal and a Port Management Authority to operate the terminal
• Identification of suitable vessels and barges that could be utilised for the transportation of PAMs
• Identification of safe havens, safe sea passage routes, ports of call, and metocean data to be found along the identified routes
• Assessment of the likely accelerations that would be found at various points within the loaded PAM’s for the smallest and largest expected vessels and/or PAMs
• Evaluation of the terminal options and selection and recommendation of a preferred option
• Conceptual design of the offloading terminal