Phu Kham Blasting Coating

Phu Kham Blasting Coating

Background

Phu Kham is located approximately 120km north of the Laos capital, Vientiane. The Copper source is beneath an oxide gold cap, which is the ore source for the associated Pan Asia Heap Leach Gold operation. Production of copper is in the form of a concentrate, which is transported from Laos and processed further to extract the pure copper. Projected output is 60,000 tonnes of copper per year.

Operating Conditions

The treatment of primary ore to extract copper is a chemical process using leach technologies and strong acids such Sulphuric Acid. The ore is processed as slurry and has signifcant erosive qualities. The plant at Phu Kham is a small plant made up of mainly steel tanks and associated structures.

The project is in a remote mountainous location with heavy rainfall and high humidity. Phu Kham project was a logistical challenge and special heavy duty protection was used to protect the areas from rainfall and maintain the tight installation schedule.

Special Requirements

Due to the early demobilization of the site steel fabricator the EPC was left with many structures to blast, paint and line with a tight schedule for completion. Trepax were requested to assist and were contracted to carry out grit blasting, painting of tanks, mills, pipes and other steel surfaces. Pipe spooling delivered to site that was rubber lined was badly damaged and Trepax assisted in repairing enabling normal pipe installation to proceed.

Trepax were able to mobilize additional manpower, materials and heavy equipment quickly to ensure the project schedule was maintained. The EPC was able to rely on our knowledge and specialist one source services to solve a serious contracting problem that threatened the project schedule.

Project Details

Location Phu Kham, Laos PDR
Project Phu Kham Copper Mine
Owner Pan Australia Public Company Limited
EPC Ausenco Public Company Limited
Date 2007
Work Steel Tanks, Mills and Pipes
System Epoxy Coating & Rubber
Lining
Area N/A
Value US$ 350,000