Oxiana Transmission Towers - South Australia
| Oxiana's Prominent Hill copper, gold & silver mine in South Australia required in excess of 500 high voltage electricity transmission towers to supply power to the mine and processing plant. Because of the unique requirements and the isolation of the mine, reducing heat damage and limiting regular maintenance were two of the outcomes that mine owner Oxiana and project provider Electricity Trust of South Australia (ETSA) required. Traditionally Australian utilities providers have gone offshore to source flat packed product for the electricity towers. OneSteel Steel & Tube's complete processing solution was able to achieve the desired outcome, by offering a different solution developed through our expert product and processing knowledge. Included in OneSteel Steel & Tube's project management and processing package, we converted the design from the standard 250 grade steel to Duragal Æ Profiles. Predominantly angles, with a minor volume of flats, the 1,900 tonnes were cut and punched, along with 100 tonnes of hot rolled structural and 100 tonnes of reinforcing bar. The higher strength material took weight out of the structure, allowing for less cement to be used in the foundation slab. The overall weight difference in the product also lowered the total tonnes required for the job. Similarly, less transportation was required for the lighter product, a vital consideration for the remote mine site. |
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The use of Duragal Æ Profiles also ensured the structures had equal protection from corrosion, ensuring the high voltage towers always remained earthed and eliminating the need for hot dipped galvanising. As a part of the complete processing package, OneSteel Steel & Tube supplied all connections to site. The dedicated project team's product and processing knowledge helped achieve a unique and quality result for both Oxiana and ETSA. |
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