Fluid conveyance supplier Rare Group has completed a contract to manufacture and supply the components for a 21 km pipeline at SAB Miller’s brewery in Ilesa, Nigeria.

Manufactured according to SANS ISO 4427 specifications, the 480-t delivery consisted of 1 500 m × 315 mm PN20, 10 800 m × 315 mm PN16 and 8 700 m × 315 mm PN10. Various bends, water meters, air valves and isolation valves were also supplied as a total pipeline package.

Rare CEO Wally van Coller says the existing pipeline was old and leaked often, which affected production at the brewery. Many buildings have been erected above the existing pipeline, making it difficult to repair or rehabilitate the pipe. The brewery decided to build a new pipeline on a new route but it took two years to obtain the required servitude.

“Rare received this order owing to the high standard of pipe produced at our extrusion plant, together with our capacity to deliver in such a short delivery period. We received the order early in July and the delivery had to be completed early in August,” says Van Coller. The pipes and fittings had to be packed into containers, and delivered to Durban harbour meeting sailing dates, complete with packing lists and photographs of the goods in each container.

The pipe was installed by local contractors, but Rare supplied a new welding machine together with in-house training. This will allow the brewery to make any future modifications and repairs.

According to Van Coller, Rare was suited to tackle a project of this scope as it has the ability to supply standard piping and fittings off the shelf, and to manufacture and supply components according to isometric drawings. “Rare’s ability to source products on a global scale, as well as our ability to manage the successful fabrication, lining and coordination of products put us in a strong position to handle a project of this magnitude. In addition, the strength of our quality, logistics and shipping departments makes us a favourable choice.”

Rare acquired a pipe manufacturing plant with assets late last year and has since started to manufacture SABS approved high-density polyethylene pipes up to 1 000 mm in diameter for the mining, infrastructure, agricultural and industrial markets.

The company carries an extensive stock range for the petrochemicals, mining and water market sectors at its 11 ha premises in Kliprivier, near Johannesburg, and its newly enlarged stock yard in Prospecton, Durban. Its trading division sells a comprehensive range of products, combining steel and plastic pipes, fittings, couplings and valves in a complete package to mines, the petrochemicals industry, contractors or end-users.

It has recently established an office in Perth, Australia, to offer a doorstep service to the large Australian mining houses that have extended interests in African mines. Rare is also well represented in Zambia and its successful local company, Rare Construction Zambia, is currently executing pipeline installation projects for various mining groups. In Tarkwa, Ghana, Rare has a site establishment and pipeline installation equipment incljuding vehicles, enabling it to execute pipeline installations there.

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