TRUSS LIFT Vanguard successfully lifted two prefabricated conveyor trusses in excess of 1 200 t each
South Africa-based heavy-lift specialist Vanguard completed its heaviest strand-jacking lift in May, the heaviest lift of its type ever done in the region.
Two prefabricated conveyor trusses, in excess of 1 200 t each, have been lifted from their assembly position at ground level to their working position at a height of about 50 m above the ground.
The conveyors form part of the new plant currently being constructed by Canada-based mining and metals company First Quantum Minerals at its Sentinel Copper Mine site near Mwinilunga, in Zambia.
Using four 418 t strand jacks with an integrated computer control system, the two conveyor trusses – one 80 m and the other 67 m in length – were hoisted into position in a synchronised lift. Each lift took less than a week to complete and the project was successfully completed by Vanguard’s six-member on-site team.
Vanguard heavy lift engineer and senior project manager for the operation Ron Wiggill explains: “In conjunction with First Quantum’s projects office in Australia, we had, prior to the start of the on-site works, been involved in the design of the system for almost a year. “In addition to the huge weight, the project was made challenging by the extreme tolerances to which we had to work and fit the conveyor sections.”
Vanguard is a South African company specialising in the transport, lifting, placing and assembly of heavy plants across all industries. Vanguard was established 40 years ago and completed its first strand-jack lift in 2005.