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IMPORTANT WORK: The Pelletising plant at the steelworks will start shutdown work on Saturday, July 27.
SIMEC Mining has advised the City of Whyalla it will be conducting a major shutdown of its Pelletising plant at the steelworks starting tomorrow.
Below is the statement from SIMEC on the shutdown and the possible effects to the community:
Investing in the Future
SIMEC Mining is continuing to invest in the future of its operations by undertaking a planned major shutdown of its Pelletising plant.
Aimed at improving the performance of the plant, the work will commence on Saturday 27 July 2019 and is expected to take about 30 days to complete.
The scheduled shutdown – which involves more than 500 contractors and employees – will allow major work to be undertaken in areas which are normally inaccessible due to heat.
The shutdown is a major investment in magnetite ore processing, delivering improved plant reliability and production performance, as well as several associated environmental benefits.
One of the main improvements will be the installation of a new cooler – expected to contribute to reduced fugitive dust emissions – while other major works include upgrades to the filter plant; refractory repairs; and fan and ductwork replacement.
Although the work will improve the performance of the plant over the longer term, unfortunately during the duration of the shutdown it could also result in:
* Increased emissions from the Pelletising plant when it first shuts down, and again on restart;
* The potential for an increase in noise from mobile equipment, including at night.
As always, SIMEC Mining is committed to working with residents to minimise impacts on the community from its operations, and appreciates feedback in these areas to assist in its continual improvement.
If any residents would like any further information, or have any feedback or concerns regarding this work, please contact Community and Stakeholder Engagement Advisor, Denise Sharp, on 0447 039 358 or 8640 4418.