Project Overview
Metalcom gets the go ahead to decommission 275 unused iron ore rail cars in Western Australia.
In 1971 Lang Hancock imported 275 iron ore rail cars to Australia. They were never used due to issues with import duty. In mid-2011, mining heiress Gina Rinehart gave Metalcom the go ahead to cut up the cars and dispose of the scrap metal.
Metalcom is a joint venture company equally owned by McMahon Services Australia and Railroad Transport. Formed in 2006, Metalcom sources, collects, transports, processes and markets metal collected from industrial clients in remote areas of Australia’s northwest.
Operating from the new Gap Ridge Industrial Estate (Karratha, WA), Metalcom provides scrap reclamation and contract services to industries such as power and water utilities, steel and chemical manufacturing, and mining and processing.
Each ore car weighed around 18 tonnes, including the axle sets, so the mammoth task demanded hydraulic excavators with shears to cut the bodies and an oxy cutter to cut up the chassis and wheel sets.
Metalcom utilised two 45 tonne excavators with shears and a WA 600 Wheeled Loader on site at all times, to tackle the load. To meet the strict deadline, shift work was endured through the use of lighting towers.
Starting in September 2011 and finishing in early January 2012, in excess of 5,000 tonnes of scrap steel was processed and shipped out of Port Hedland.
A self-contained camp to accommodate a crew of four was also established by Metalcom for the duration of the project. The donga included four bedrooms each furnished with a bed, shower facilities, television and wardrobe space.
The project team endured tropical cyclone Heidi whilst working on site, proving to be a difficult challenge.
A major condition of the project was that all scrap metal collected from the project, must be disposed of overseas due to the import issues. This was successfully completed to the total satisfaction of the client, both on time and within budget.
