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Goldfields Mine Project

Case Study: Multiple Bladders Deliver Major Efficiencies for Goldfields Mine Project – 2023 

Client: New Mine Site 

Year: 2023 

Solution Provided by: Get Wet Solutions 

Location: Goldfields, Western Australia  

1. The Challenge: Meeting Water Storage Needs Across a Multi-Phase Mining Operation 

A new mine site in the Goldfields, Western Australia, was tasked with constructing key infrastructure for a major mining operation. The site included several complex components that required efficient, flexible water storage solutions. These components included: 

  • Processing plant 
  • 600-person camp 
  • Solar farm 
  • Wind farm 
  • Below-ground and open-pit mining operations 

The client required water storage solutions that could be easily moved and set up at various locations on the site as different construction phases were completed. Additionally, the mine’s water storage needs fluctuated depending on the phase of construction and the operational requirements for each section of the site. 

2. Project Objectives: Flexible Water Storage Across Multiple Phases 

The key objectives of this project included: 

  1. Portable Water Storage: Provide multiple portable water bladder solutions across the mine site, which could be easily moved to different locations as required by each construction phase. 
  1. Pipeline Installation: Design and install several kilometers of pipeline from various bores, connecting them to bore pumps and the bore field manifolds for optimal water distribution across the site. 

3. Solution Provided: Portable Water Bladder Systems for Maximum Efficiency 

To meet the client’s needs, the team at [Your Company Name] delivered a custom-designed solution that included the installation of: 

  • Four (4) 500,000L water bladder tanks 
  • One (1) 300,000L water bladder tank 

These water bladder tanks were selected based on several key factors: 

  1. Ideal Capacity for Site Needs: The 500,000L bladders were chosen because they offered a sufficient volume to support large-scale operations, while still being manageable for frequent relocation across the site as construction phases progressed. 
  1. Cost-Effective and Efficient: Compared to traditional steel or concrete water storage tanks, bladder tanks offer a more cost-effective solution with significantly lower transportation and installation costs. 
  1. Durability and Long Life: Manufactured using advanced PVC fabric technology, these bladder tanks are UV-protected and designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, with a lifespan of over 20 years. 

4. Installation Process: Seamless and Efficient Delivery 

The installation process was a collaborative effort between the engineering team, client stakeholders, and [Your Company Name] technicians: 

  • Initial Planning & Design: [Your Company Name] worked closely with the client’s engineering and operational teams to determine the water volume and location needs for each phase. A detailed design document (DSOP) was created to ensure that all operational and logistical requirements were met. 
  • Preparation of Site Pads: Site pads were prepared in advance, requiring only flat, level ground for bladder installation. Geofabric was used where necessary to protect the bladder tanks from ground conditions. 
  • Approval & Mobilization: Once the design was approved, the team mobilized to site with qualified poly welders and technicians, ready to install the water bladder systems and lay the necessary pipeline infrastructure. 
  • Mine-Spec Certified Equipment: All equipment and personnel were mine-spec certified, ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards. 

5. Results and Benefits: Increased Efficiency and Cost Savings 

The installation of the water bladder systems provided significant operational benefits across various mine operations, including: 

  • Support for Multiple Site Operations: The bladder tanks were strategically placed to support various site operations, such as: 
  • Main camp water supply 
  • Sewage treatment plant and reverse osmosis (RO) units 
  • Concrete batching plant 
  • Dust suppression systems 
  • Temporary firefighting water supply 
  • Wind and solar farm construction support 
  • Crushing plant processing 
  • Operational Flexibility: The ability to move the water bladder tanks as construction progressed resulted in significant cost and time savings. The tanks could be repositioned close to bores without the need for major earthworks or excavation, which saved time and avoided disruptions to local wildlife and ecosystems. 
  • Environmental Benefits: Using bladder tanks rather than traditional open storage systems (e.g., turkey-nest style) eliminated potential hazards such as drowning risks for wildlife and people. The closed-loop design also reduced water evaporation, which was particularly valuable during hot summer months, ensuring more water was retained for use. 

6. Measurable Results: Significant Cost Reductions and Time Savings 

The implementation of portable water bladder tanks delivered impressive results for the client, including: 

  • CAPEX Savings: The client achieved 300% cost savings by opting for portable bladder tanks instead of traditional steel or concrete tanks. 
  • Transportation & Installation Savings: The need for large-scale transportation and heavy equipment was eliminated, further reducing costs. No cranes, scaffolding, or working at heights were necessary, simplifying the installation process. 
  • Fewer Personnel Requirements: The entire installation and setup process required fewer personnel, and no excavation or concrete work was needed. 
  • Regulatory Simplicity: The bladder tanks could be installed without the need for expensive permits or environmental approval processes that would typically be required for large, fixed storage systems. 

7. Challenges and Solutions: Overcoming Operational Complexities 

While the project ran smoothly, there were some challenges, including varying pump rates and the logistics of managing multiple bores spread across the site. [Your Company Name] addressed these challenges by: 

  • Customised Pump Rates: Each storage solution required specific pump rates to meet operational demands. The flexibility of the bladder systems allowed the team to adjust these pump rates as necessary to accommodate changing requirements. 
  • On-Site Expertise: With a team of certified poly welders and bladder technicians, the project was efficiently managed as a turn-key operation, further reducing costs by consolidating resources into a single crew for all water storage needs. 

Conclusion: Flexible Water Storage Solutions Drive Efficiency and Cost Savings 

The successful implementation of multiple portable water bladders across the Goldfields mine site provided an innovative and cost-effective solution for the client. The flexibility, scalability, and operational efficiency of the bladder systems helped the client meet the varied water storage demands of the project, while also realizing significant savings in capital expenditure, installation costs, and time. The ability to move the bladders as needed ensured that each phase of construction was supported seamlessly, making this solution a valuable asset for future projects.