Conquering the tyranny of distance
Because the mine is located 560 kilometres north of Adelaide – further than the distance between London and Geneva – efficient, economical transport arrangements are paramount.
Copper and uranium have to be transported to the port of Adelaide, while bulk supplies of every description must be carried to the mine and the township. Currently, around one million tonnes of supplies and minerals are moved annually, entirely by road. This load will double.
Transport logistics is the quiet achiever, invisible when operating smoothly and efficiently. At this selection stage, Arup’s logistics consultants have scrupulously calculated all the complex elements of this long distance supply chain.
Road transport was compared both to rail alone and a combination of road and rail. Road is flexible and relatively fast, but puts heavy vehicles on public roads. Rail costs less, is slower and requires new infrastructure. The options include a 105 kilometre rail spur to the Pimba junction, near the junction of two cross-continental railways and a highway.
Arup’s consultants assessed the relative merits of alternative locations for a port and a rail terminal. They also designed roads, storage and handling facilities and the intricate weaving of warehousing and docking operations.
Arup’s approach, both integrated and innovative, will one day assure a smooth flow of the supplies needed for production, while the ore that sustains economies will be delivered to the customer on schedule.