Client:        Koniambo Nickel SAS
Location:    Kone, North Province, New Caledonia
Contract:    Construct Only
Currency:    Due for completion mid 2012

Project Summary

The Socalmo MacDow JV was awarded three construction packages for the Koniambo Nickel Project. The project includes construction of a new nickel refinery complete with a power station near Koné in the North Province of New Caledonia. Koniambo is one of the largest and highest grade undeveloped nickel resources in the world and has a nominal capacity to produce 60,000 tonnes of nickel per annum.

Our scope of works includes the construction of an ore preparation plant, overland conveyors, wet ore stockpile, coal stockpile, storage tanks, plus above and underground pipe works. The Koniambo Nickel Project is the JV’s second nickel sector infrastructure project in New Caledonia. We successfully delivered the Goro Nickel Port Project with Socalmo in 2006.

The Challenge

The major challenge for our team is installing an 11.4 km overland conveyor with vertical and horizontal curves in extremely steep terrain. The team has to safely position and manoeuvre cranes and other heavy plant on up to 27% gradients.
As this is effectively a contract to provide labour and plant services a significant risk is availability of resources. Given there is not enough skilled local resources available we have had to import skilled labour.

The Solution

We have engaged a local workforce supplemented with labour sourced through our fabrication facilities in Batam, Indonesia. We have also self performed as much of the specialist work as possible bringing in the required supervision and training from overseas where necessary.

Key to Success

The transfer of knowledge from the Goro Nickel Project, particularly relating to local labour regulations, plus our JV partner’s access to local resources ensures we have satisfied the requirement to employ local resources where possible with the project tracking on schedule.

Project Stats

• 11.4km overland conveyor
• 27% max gradient
• 930m above sea level
• 0 harm
• 530,000 manhours
• 3 contract languages
• 350 staff and workers