Local wood preservative chemicals manufacturer Dolphin Bay Chemicals has installed a treatment plant at First Quantum Minerals’ Sentinel copper deposit, in Solwezi, Zambia, assisting the base metals miner in adding value to waste timber being removed to make way for mining operations.

Adopting an unusual busi-ness model, First Quantum identified an opportunity to add value to waste timber by treating and using it to build fences and other types of infrastructure at the mine site.

“First Quantum’s approach is unique, as it adds value to the material it removes from the environment, rather than buying it,” says Dolphin Bay MD Bertus Coetzee.

The plant, which was designed to treat a variety of indigenous timber species with wood preservative Permacure CCA, was formally handed over to First Quantum in March and is yielding excellent results, according to First Quantum forestry manager Guy Havemann.

Correspondence between Dolphin Bay and the Canada-based miner started in 2011, when First Quantum identified the value of the timber it was removing to build infrastruc-ture at the Trident project, which is mining the Sentinel copper deposit in Zambia’s North-Western province.

At the time, Havemann con-ducted a study, which showed that the timber would react well to being penetrated by Permacure CCA and would retain it. He, therefore, resolved to use the wood to build fencing and other structures at the mine site.

Dolphin Bay engineers designed the plant according to First Quantum’s specifications and the required production capacity.

Dolphin Bay also handled the logistics of the plant on a delivery duty unpaid (DDU) basis – an international trade transaction in which the seller is responsible for the safe delivery of goods, paying all transportation expenses except the duty costs.

“The plant was disassembled to fit into containers that were transported from South Africa through Zimbabwe to Zambia, where it was reassembled,” says Coetzee, adding that the civil work on the plant’s foundations was done by First Quantum Minerals, according to Dolphin Bay’s civil drawings.

Further, Dolphin Bay trained the operators at the treatment plant and will provide refresher training, where necessary. The chemicals manufacturer also obtained product registration for Permacure CCA in Zam-bia, and continues to supply First Quantum with the wood preservative.

Coetzee tells Mining Weekly that the contract has not only opened doors for Dolphin Bay Chemicals but has also demon- strated the company’s capabil-ity in terms of designing, build-ing, transporting and installing treatment plants for projects in other African countries.

“Moreover, First Quantum has taken an environment-responsible approach to business while creating jobs for local communities. “We hope that other mining companies working in forested areas will start doing the same,” he adds.

Havemann was happy with the design and installation of the plant. “Dolphin Bay was extremely professional in all its workings and it was a
pleasure dealing with them,” he concludes.