The pipeline will support the future of the mines with the transition to gas expected to reduce production costs and fuel price volatility and improve safety and reliability of delivery through reduced reliance on road transport.
In July 2014, AngloGold Ashanti Australia Ltd signed a gas transportation agreement with APA for the transportation of natural gas to each of the mines via the new Eastern Goldfield Pipeline.
The pipeline will connect to the existing 85 km Murrin Murrin lateral and extend the Goldfields gas system to almost 1,800 km.
The gas will be used for local power generation, displacing diesel and LNG transported by road, with the power stations at both mines modified to run on 100 per cent natural gas, while retaining diesel backup capability.
APA will transport gas a total distance of 1,500 km to the mines through three of its interconnected pipelines – the Goldfields Gas Pipeline, the Murrin Murrin Lateral and the new Eastern Goldfields Pipeline (see map on page 179).
Tropicana is located at the end of the new pipeline, 330 km east-northeast of Kalgoorlie-Boulder on the western edge of Western Australia’s Great Victoria Desert.
AngloGold Ashanti manages the mine and shares ownership in a 70/30 joint venture with Independence Group NL. AngloGold Ashanti also manages and owns the Sunrise Dam mine.
Energy development
The construction of the pipeline was well supported by AngloGold Ashanti and state government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) for the numerous approvals required leading up to the granting of the “˜Consent to Construct’.
Consent was granted in accordance with the project schedule, allowing construction to proceed as planned.
Efforts applied to the upfront activities and approvals got the project off on a positive footing, a mood which was subsequently maintained by the construction team, contributing to the success of the project.
“Construction activities commenced on 1 March 2015 immediately following receipt of the Consent to Construct and the pipe was welded and in the ground before the end of July,” said APA Program Director Barrie Sturgeon.
“The focus is now on pipeline hydro static testing, rehabilitation activities and installation of the aboveground facilities.”
Approximately 16,500 lengths of line pipe were required, transported by sea in three shipments from China.
From the Fremantle Port, the pipe was transferred by rail to Kalgoorlie, then by road (mostly unsealed) to the three nominated laydown areas, strategically located along the pipeline route.
More than 350,000 km were clocked up by the road transport company in delivering the pipe to the laydown areas.
While the original schedule showed completion of pipe-laying and backfill activities by mid-August, the pipeline construction contractor, Spiecapag Lucas, was able to achieve a construction rate of around 6 km per day, considerably higher than the planned 4.5 km per day.
That, combined with a weld repair rate of less than 0.9 per cent, has resulted in a quality build within the anticipated timeframe.
Commissioning activities are expected to be completed before the end of December 2015, well in time to start delivering gas to AngloGold Ashanti and other potential customers in the region.
“From an economic and safety perspective, we believe the pipeline provides a better overall energy solution for the region long-term,” said APA Group Executive Transmission Rob Wheals.
Construction also provided a short-term boost to the local economy with companies from the Goldfields region providing accommodation, cultural heritage monitoring, logistical solutions for temporary sites, vehicle hire and maintenance, food and potable water supplies and building materials.
