On the strength of previous work performed for Newcrest at their Lihir Gold Mine — particularly the works carried out on Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) tank TK202 — Walz Group was engaged to conduct a 10 year statutory inspection on HFO tank TK201.The scope included undertaking all repairs found necessary as a result of the inspection.

Similar to the TK202 works carried out in 2017, Walz identified numerous repairs and upgrades that were required to ensure the tank maintained its compliance. These works included:

• Removal and replacement of roof components (inner rafters, annular ring, braces, roof plates, manway and miscellaneous cleats and beams)
• Replacement of top strakes
• Repair of external stairway
• Replacement of all handrail and kickplate around the top of the tank
• Replacement of goose neck vent on the roof nozzle
• Remove and replacement of existing fire water ring main risers and circumferential pipework
• Full blast and repaint of the inside of the tank shell and roof prior to hydro test
• Hydro testing of the tank

Newcrest Mining Limited (formerly Lihir Gold Limited) operates a gold mine and processing facility on Lihir Island in Papua New Guinea. Two Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) storage tanks (TK201 & 202) were constructed for the original plant in 1996 and one new IPS HFO storage tank was later commissioned in 2013. TK201 and 202 were originally designed and constructed to API 650 for a nominal storage capacity of 14,000l each.

Following maintenance inspections on TK202 in 2009 and later in 2012, Newcrest identified various repairs and upgrades required to ensure the tank maintained its compliance. Walz Group was engaged to assist with this scope of works which included:

• Internal inspection of the tank
• Repairs to the tank’s annular ring, shell, roof and tank furnishings
• Repairs to the tank’s internals including floor, support columns and roof framing
• Repairs to protective coatings

With a history of successful collaboration at the Lihir gold mine, working on the repair of HFO storage tanks TK01 and TK02, we were pleased to partner with Newcrest again for these improvement works to the mine’s gold processing plant. Walz was engaged to carry out the SMP and Electrical and Instrumentation works associated with upgrading three of the automated feeders on the existing ball mills at the plant.

Our scope included installation of structural steel and mechanical components (storage bin, air multipliers, feed tubes, hoists, magnets, discharge hoppers, feed launders and head box). We also performed the associated piping works required to upgrade the ball feeders. The Electrical and Instrumentation works were carried out by a specialist contractor from Australia, selected and engaged by us. We mobilised some of our plant and equipment to Lihir from Gladstone to assist with these works.

Having carried out several projects in Lihir, we recognise the importance of community engagement and always seek to engage local labour hire and subcontractors whenever we work on the island.