Wrapping up in Kathleen Valley

The Kathleen Valley Project, a significant venture for Monadelphous that showcased our skills in the renewable energy sector, has officially come to a close. We caught up with Senior Project Manager Steve Holloway to get a rundown on the project.  

This project involved building a 3 million tonnes per annum spodumene lithium and tantalum mining and processing operation located 680 km northeast of Perth. The scope of work included all structural, mechanical, piping, electrical, and instrumentation works. 

At its busiest, the project team included nearly 500 workers. Steve Holloway, the Senior Project Manager, explained more about the project. 

 "The wet plant required the installation of a complicated arrangement of tanks, vessels, piping, mechanical equipment and electrical systems on a compact footprint," Steve said. 

"In total, over 85km of cable and 200km of piping was installed." 

Steve also noted that one of the challenging parts of the project was the need for complex lifts. 

"A number of complex lifts were required to deliver the project, requiring the expertise of our heavy lift team to assist in the engineering and safe execution," he said. 

Despite these challenges, the team completed the project within a tight 12-month timeline, starting in August 2023 and finishing in July 2024. 

"Delivery of mineral projects servicing the renewable energy sector is a key component of our strategic plan. Kathleen Valley gave us another opportunity to showcase our capability in this area with a new client. Our key goals were to deliver this complex project safely, to the highest standard, and on time," Steve said. 

Teamwork was essential for overcoming the challenges of working on a compact site. 

"The compact nature of the site required that the sequence of installation be closely managed to ensure we did not box ourselves out for major lifts and that each discipline did not impact the progress of other disciplines in critical areas," he said. 

To manage risks and streamline work, the team focused on preassembly. A standout example was the filtration building roof, which Steve described as "a standout example of collaboration." The roof was fully assembled on the ground, including roof sheeting, crane rails, and electrical works, and then lifted into place as a single 64-tonne structure. This impressive feat required "close collaboration between structural, mechanical, electrical and heavy lift teams." 

Reflecting on the project's completion, Steve expressed pride in the team's work. 

"The team has delivered a fantastic project for our client. The works were executed safely and to a high standard, and we met a very challenging schedule. To deliver this within a 12-month period is a remarkable achievement and a credit to all involved," he said.