With a long history of working alongside mining and metals customers, Mammoet is ideally positioned to help improve efficiency in construction, maintenance, turnarounds, and equipment moves.
The practice of mining – extracting minerals from the earth for our use – goes back deep into prehistory. The use of certain types of stone by early humans is considered to be one of the evolutionary advantages of our species, and it’s the earliest evidence of mining.
Around 10,000 years ago, metalworking began in what is now northern Iraq, and since then mining and metals have been important drivers of civilization. We even signify historical eras in these terms. The Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Steel Age, and Nuclear Age – each has profoundly relied on substances mined from the earth. From Marco Polo’s visit to China to the California gold rush and on to using the biggest land vehicles ever made to excavate coal fields, meeting the demand for precious metals, building materials and energy has led to the development of a huge and intricate industry.
Heavy lifting experience
For two centuries Mammoet has worked extensively across heavy industries, with a large focus on mining and metals. Our drive to innovate and engineer better heavy lifting and transport solutions have chimed with our clients’ desire to find safer and more efficient ways of constructing and operating their mines – often at a larger scale and with increasing pressure to reduce timelines. From the introduction of our first heavy-duty barge in 1807 right up to the development of the Focus crane, Mammoet has pushed the boundaries of engineered heavy lifting and transport.
Improving profitability
Mining and metals companies are continuously looking for ways of optimizing efficiency, minimizing downtime, and reducing time to market. Mammoet has a long history of successfully executing a range of mining projects. We move deadlines forward and optimize construction time by drawing on our operational expertise and utilizing a large and diverse fleet of equipment.
Modular construction
Facilitating the use of modular construction techniques is just one of the ways Mammoet helps mining companies meet these objectives. The pioneering Red Dog Mine in Alaska was a game-changer for the industry. Modular construction on this scale had never been attempted before. It was built in giant units in the Philippines, where work could be carried out safely, all year round, in controlled conditions, and by a skilled and plentiful labor force. Mammoet transported the units to the current site inside the Arctic Circle. To this day, Red Dog remains one of the biggest nickel producers globally.
Heavy equipment transport
The relocation of draglines and other heavy equipment is another area where mine operators and their equipment suppliers can realize efficiencies and increase uptime. Moving heavy machinery in one piece presents a huge challenge but brings enormous benefits. When moving pieces of equipment weighing 8,000 tons or more, extensive preparation, attention to safety and a detailed route plan are essential. The advantages of this approach for mine operators and owners are in production time saved by the operation. Dismantling, moving, and rebuilding such machines could take them out of production for months. With Mammoet’s help, this can be significantly reduced.
Driving efficiency
Mammoet can optimize construction, expansion, maintenance, and equipment moves while improving efficiency and reducing timelines. On each project, our professionals combine a can-do attitude with the highest regard for safety requirements. Our engineering expertise, long-standing experience in mining and metals, and our state-of-the-art equipment come together to deliver a safe, high-quality execution that meets – and beats – deadlines for our clients.