case studies

August 12, 2021

Remote Mine Challenges: Innovation Key for ATCO

Ablution waste tanks

ATCO ablution waste tanks

Iron Bridge Atco_Case Study_Summary

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The challenges of delivering project solutions to remote Western Australian mine site locations can inherit many obstacles, but Perth-based manufacturing company ATCO found a way to customize its ablution block systems with some design innovation from Coerco. 

ATCO Structures was commissioned to supply ablution waste blocks for Pilbara-based projects Iron Bridge Magnetite and Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 (WTS2) and approached Coerco to create durable holding waste tanks to complete the project.  

 

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Coerco ablution waste tanks offer a compact and efficient solution for sites that may not be able to adapt to a full septic system.

 

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Flexibility and modifications  

The first problem arose when ATCO discovered that its blocks incorporated a beam that ran directly across the inlets and would make plumbing into the Coerco tanks difficult to achieve.  

A solution was promptly discovered through Coerco's flexible design and manufacturing process by attaching a riser frame onto the top of the holding waste tanks. The custom-built solution was developed in collaboration with ATCO and Coerco's in-house team of designers and engineers. 

The adapted riser frame design was then fitted to the waste holding units at Coerco's manufacturing plant before being delivered to ATCO on-site.  

 

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Delivering positive outcomes in adverse conditions 

This level of adaptability and collaboration in manufacturing is one of many key benefits in working with Coerco.  A severe flooding incident at Iron Bridge then threatened to cause significant delays on site after ATCO's ablution blocks were washed away.  

A quick solution came thanks to Coerco's commitment to ongoing customer support with the waste tanks collected immediately for assessment and testing. The assessment included pressure testing for damage and inspection for pin holes.  

 

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Troubleshooting provides quick results 

After replacing a high-level alarm, the tanks were given the all-clear and delivered back onsite. The WTS2 project also sustained its fair share of issues after harsh elements at the remote mine site led to an unusual leak in a waste tank. 

Coerco immediately set about to rectify the problem with a repair that limited downtime. As of February 2021, ATCO successfully supplied a large number of ablution blocks paired with Coerco ablution waste tanks for use onsite at the Iron Bridge and WTS2 mining projects. 

 

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