Roy Hill award detailed design for 45km pipeline to Stantec

Roy Hill is looking to build a pipeline to transport dewatered saline water from their open-pit mine in the Pilbara to an aquifer approximately 45-kilometres away as part of their Remote Manage Aquifer Recharge (MAR) North Project. Engenium now Stantec (Stantec) has been appointed to produce the pipeline's detailed design.

Managing groundwater at a mine site can present a challenge for mine operators. Storing and recycling the water is the most sustainable option, and mitigates any environmental risk to local flora and fauna from allowing the water to flow into a nearby creek. By transporting the saline water to another aquifer, the water can be stored and used at a later date for things like mitigating dust.

It is anticipated the pipeline will cross approximately eight roads and tracks, 20 minor creeks and the Fortescue River. The pipeline design will need to consider both above and below ground options to ensure the most appropriate solution is found for crossing these remote areas.

The detailed design will also be required to identify relevant field test works, any capital implications from constructing the transfer pond and any related miscellaneous infrastructure design.

Roy Hill’s Pilbara operation consists of a conventional open-pit bulk mining operation with a 60 million tonnes per annum wet processing plant, a 344-kilometre single line, heavy haul railway to the port and a two-berth iron ore port facility at Port Hedland.