COMPRESSED AIR EXPANSION PROJECT Lesedi upgraded the compressed air installation plant by adding an extra compressor with its own heat of compression dryer
South African engineering, procurement and construction company Lesedi has completed the upgrade of the compressed air installation plant at diversified mining and minerals company South32’s Mozal aluminium plant, as part of its expansion increase project.
The system is currently functioning as anticipated, says Lesedi’s project manager for the Mozal AP3XLE compressed air expansion project, Leon van Wyk.
“We are currently observing the functionality of the dual compressor train affected by the new installation and there are no concerns at present,” he adds, noting that well over 100 local jobs were supported at the peak of construction.
The Mozal Aluminium operation is one of the largest industrial employers in Mozambique and comprises an aluminium smelter and logistics infrastructure, just west of the country’s capital city Maputo.
Lesedi was tasked with upgrading the compressed air installation plant through the addition of another compressor with its own heat of compression dryer. A new evaporative cooling tower was integrated to the current compressed air system together with the overall integration of the compressed air system into the Mozal ring supplies.
Although such projects are prone to challenges during commissioning, the process went smoothly with no major concerns. Beneficial use of the system was obtained at the end of January 2020 and the handover took place in February 2020.
Lesedi Gauteng GM Bernhard Wilcocks adds that Lesedi will focus on expanding its footprint in Mozambique with avid interest in the developments in the gas sector.
“We are strategically aligning ourselves with the correct partners to be able to support the local market in Mozambique timeously and professionally.”