Divisional brief
Adam Cook
Executive General Manager
Russell McBain and I had the pleasure of visiting the Car Dumper 3 (CD3) Project site to present the 8th EC Teamwork Baton at a special BBQ event with the team last week.
The award was given in recognition of the CD3 Project Team’s outstanding achievement in delivering one of BHP’s most critical shutdowns - safely, ahead of schedule, and without incident. Thanks to the team’s strategic planning and collaborative execution, the site was returned to operation several days ahead of schedule, with a direct and substantial impact on production and revenue for our client.
From the outset, the team demonstrated foresight and innovation. Early in the planning phase, they identified an opportunity to optimise the shutdown duration by shifting over 40,000 hours of work into the lead-up phase. This included a methodology change involving the purchase and use of the 1600 tonne ‘Rubino’ crane, and the installation of a new substation to reduce electrical and instrumentation hours. These changes not only optimised the schedule but also reduced peak resourcing improving our ability to control our critical risks in a highly congested work environment.
Over three years of effort, planning, preparing, optimising, and then executing the CD3 Replacement Project, the team consistently challenged conventional approaches, seeking smarter, safer, and more efficient ways to deliver. Their commitment to continuous improvement helped minimise emergent scope and reduced stress in a high-risk environment. With a clear plan and shared purpose, the team was able to focus on safe execution and deliver results ahead of time.
I would like to take this opportunity to also acknowledge the support of our Melchor, Inteforge and Heavy Lift business units, and give a special shout out to our M&IS Division, whose efforts helped ensure the successful delivery of this work. The exceptional collaboration and contribution from these teams played an important role in the smooth delivery of this complex project.
Please join me in congratulating everyone involved in this well-earned recognition. Your teamwork, innovation, and dedication to safe delivery truly embody the spirit of the EC Teamwork Baton and remind us all of what’s possible when we work together.
Regards,
Adam