BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)

CS GAS designed a full gas management solution for BMA, utilising a modular compression facility that would deliver the required reduction in emissions, ensuring the mine’s economic development was not affected by gas drainage.

Client: BMA

Location: Bowen Basin, QLD

Industry: Coal mining

Services: Engineering Design, Fabrication, Electrical and Instrumentation, Commissioning

Value: $10 million

The client

The BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) is an Australian coal mining company operating in Central Queensland. As the largest coal producer in Australia, it is a joint venture established in 2001 with BHP and Mitsubishi each owning 50%. The BMA alliance operates seven mines in the Bowen Basin.

The challenge

BMA were considering capital and operating expenditure options for gas management at their Broadmeadows Underground Mine. BMA needed to reduce emissions from their underground operations and this project enabled them to work towards the goal of being an industry leader in this space.

BMA went to tender for the entire scope of the project. Requirements included gas drainage, surface facilities at the well head, and centralised processing. CS GAS were successful in the tender, with our multidisciplinary engineering team designing the solution and our workshops supporting the build.

CS GAS were able to commission the plant within the tight 12-month deadline for the entire project.

The solution

CS GAS designed a full gas management solution for BMA, utilising a modular compression facility that would deliver the required reduction in emissions, ensuring the mine’s economic development was not affected by gas drainage. The system was run on existing gas sacrificed from the feed. The modular solution was 100% skid based and relocatable, as well as automated via remote control and processes. This reduced the requirement for field services technicians on-site, and improved oversight of the facility.

CS GAS’ holistic approach and agility to manage external impacts on the project was appreciated by BMA, with functionality and ease of manufacture and commissioning paramount. BMA’s project leadership process and communication with CS GAS during the project was superb, so despite the enormous scope of the project the incredible team dynamic across companies led everyone to deliver great project outcomes.

The outcome

The project was delivered within the timeframe and with operational success. The commissioning of the plant was managed by CS GAS and BMA. The continuity from concept to design, manufacture and commissioning with one single engagement reduced complexities and variations on the project.

The plant achieved significant savings in equipment production and operability for BMA, as well as achieving the goal of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions significantly, compared with the original project. The instrumentation, automation and remote communications technology implemented has allowed improved productivity and significant savings in manpower.

This project is now an exemplary case study for the industry. CS GAS has since completed similar greenhouse emission reduction projects across other market participants of varying scales, always maintaining peak mine operability.

Download Project