The 293 km, 219 mm diameter Eastern Goldfields Gas Pipeline (EGP) between AngloGold Ashanti’s Sunrise Ram and Tropicana gold mines in Western Australia has been officially opened by WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion.
Speaking at the ceremonial event at Tropicana Gold Mine, APA Managing Director Mick McCormack paid tribute to the focus and commitment of all parties involved in bringing the project from concept to reality.
“This is a special day for APA as the opening of a new pipeline that will support growth in the communities it services is not an everyday occurrence,” Mr McCormack said.
“As an engineering project the EGP is a great success story that exceeded all production and safety targets, an achievement we take pride in.
“It is also a shining example of what can be done when industry partners, a progressive government and supportive local authorities and communities collaborate so effectively,” he said.
Further infield opportunities
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Mr McCormack is looking to sign up more mines in the eastern Goldfields region, after opening the new pipeline.
“As is always the case with gas pipelines, the biggest hurdle is actually getting one built and once it’s built, the infrastructure is there and other users can see that and can talk to us about having gas supply to their operation,” Mr McCormack said.
Construction on the EGP commenced in 2014 and was completed in December 2015.
The development formed part of a long-term agreement between APA Group and AngloGold Ashanti, under which APA committed to transport gas to the two mines.
Under the agreements, 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 Eastern Goldfields Pipeline.
The two mines will now use natural gas for local power generation, displacing diesel fuel and LNG transported by road.
