Project details
The Highland Valley Copper mine is Canada’s largest open pit mine, producing both copper and molybdenum concentrates. As part of the 2011 mill optimization project, which sought to increase the mine’s average throughput by approximately ten percent, CWA designed a completely new pebble crushing circuit and crushing building including a 300-tonne surge bin, dual retractable belt feeders, and XL900 crushers.
CWA was responsible for the HVAC, fire protection, and dust control inside the new pebble crushing building and designed a new dust collection system for the existing pebble crushing building. The project also included civil road re-alignment and utility tie-ins.
Solutions
In addition to performing the detailed design work for the project, CWA also developed a 3D model of the entire pebble crushing facility. The model was a critical tool for the success of the project. It was leveraged for several uses, including safety and constructability reviews with key project stakeholders and the development of a sequenced demolition and construction plan for tying the new system into the existing pebble crushing circuit.