For seven years, Cape provided ROM Pad Management and Primary Crushing services at BHP Nickel West’s Kambalda operations.

The contract required Cape to manage and operate a complex ROM, receiving ore from a number of third party sources. After primary crushing, the ore was fed to either a sample crushing circuit or a coarse ore stockpile (COS) for mill feed.

Generally, Cape operated one WA600 wheel loader on day shift to meet client demand, increasing to 24/7 operations when milling was in progress. The operators sorted oversize, blended material from various stockpiles and fed the client’s crushing facility to ensure consistent feed. Lead distance varied depending on the products being processed, however it could be up to 300m.

The Cape team designed, fabricated, transported, and assembled a turnkey primary crushing facility for the contract. The circuit is required to operate at approximately 250tph for crushing to a sample circuit or 600tph for crushing to the COS. The result was a relocatable plant that allows easy access for both operation and maintenance.

Cape’s Site Management and the specialist operators worked with BHP Management to ensure the process met client requirements and was completed as efficiently as possible.