BHP has awarded a $130 million contract to build Australia’s first wind fences at Port Hedland, designed to reduce dust emissions.
CIMIC Group’s CPB Contractors was awarded the contract.
Announcing the successful tender in Port Hedland, BHP and CPB Contractors said three fences would be built at BHP’s Nelson Point and Finucane Island operations, as part of BHP’s $300 million air quality commitment.
Up to 150 employees will be involved in the construction of the project, with up to ten per cent Indigenous employment.
Designed for the Pilbara’s unique weather conditions, and rated specifically to withstand cyclones, the fences will include mesh panels designed to reduce wind speeds, shielding BHP’s stockpiles and reducing the potential for dust lift-off.
The wind fences will be the first of their kind in Australia.
The 30m high fences, which span a length of 2km, will shield the stockyard and reduce the potential for dust lift-off.
As the wind speed reaches a certain limit, the mesh curtain opens, to let the air flow through the fence.
The fences will abate dust emissions in current operations and ensure no net increases in dust emissions should operations expand over time.
BHP Port General Manager, Cindy Dunham, said the wind fences will be constructed using global best practice dust management and air quality control technology.
“The investment forms part of our Pilbara Air Quality Program and demonstrates our commitment to the region and contribution to the revitalisation of the West End,” Ms Dunham said.
“The wind fence project is a key part of our commitment towards continued improvement of our existing dust control measures as we look to continue growing production over time.
“We look forward to working with CPB Contractors on this exciting project, which will help control dust emissions in Port Hedland while also continuing to provide jobs and economic opportunity for the region.”
CPB Contractors General Manager for Western Australia, South Australia and Northern Territory, Andrew Giammo, said CPB Contractors is very pleased to be supporting BHP to deliver this innovative environmental project that will provide lasting benefits for the community of Port Hedland.
“Construction of the wind fences will involve the fabrication of 3,000 tonnes of structural steel – this work will be undertaken here in Western Australia and will be a major boost to local industry,” Mr Giammo said.
“Throughout the life of the project, we’ll also be looking to maximise opportunities for Indigenous businesses and employment.”
BHP is spending up to $300 million over the next four years as part of its Pilbara Air Quality Program, which also includes:
- The trialling of vegetation barriers, in partnership with Curtin University and Greening Australia, to help capture natural and industry dust before it impacts the West End of Port Hedland
- The continued implementation and optimisation of operational dust control projects across its entire Pilbara supply chain, such as moisture management systems, ore conditioning and monitoring infrastructure, and improvements across its existing controls at its mines and port
- The project is still subject to all necessary internal and State Government approvals
Construction of the wind fences is expected to start in August 2022 and take 14 months to complete.
