Monos’, Melchor and RTW team up on port expansion

Monadelphous, Melchor and RTW will soon be kicking off work in the coastal city of Geraldton, WA with the recent award of an exciting new venture.  

The project, known as Lease 11 Truck Unloader, forms part of the $350 million Geraldton Port Maximisation Project (PMaxP), a State Government initiative to increase the port’s capacity and cater for emerging industries. 

Alex Longworth, Project Manager within Mining and Minerals Southern Region, explained that the project will create a facility where trucks can unload onto underground conveyors within a large shed. 

“The project includes building a facility where single, double and triple trucks can either side tip or belly dump through some grizzlies, onto two new conveyors that we’re installing,” Alex said. 

“The whole structure is within a large shed, with the conveyor components installed below ground. 

“The Melchor team has been awarded the head contract, so it’s a good opportunity for us to work closely with them. It also opens the door to further work at Geraldton Port, and with Melchor generally.” 

Since its award in February, the team has been putting in the hours to get the project ready to commence.  

“We’re currently going through all the initial project kick-off works,” Alex said.  

“A large part of this is getting the designed detailing works completed so that we can commence fabrication.  

“The fabrication and supply component is quite large, approximately half of the whole project value.” 

The fabrication will be completed in-house through RTW, a Monadelphous business just down the road from our Bunbury branch.  

“Melchor’s initial mobilisation was during mid-April, while we undertook some early enabling works in mid-May,” Alex said. 

“During this time, there was a shutdown period where we relocated an existing conveyor tail pulley, which we will tie back into at the end of the project.” 

The project is expected to involve approximately 16 trades and supervisors, a superintendent, and a couple of engineers. Naturally, teamwork and cooperation will be critical. 

“The area for installing the structural steel is quite small and vertical, and everything needs to happen quickly. With Melchor also undertaking concreting works nearby, close collaboration and planning will be required to avoid any setbacks,” Alex said. 

Monos’ main mobilisation will be in late October, with the crew expected to stay until July 2026.