SPECIALIST engineering services firm Aztec Analysis believes mining sector demand for its heavy lift expertise will spearhead a period of sustained future growth.
Aztec, five-time winner of the Crane Industry Council of Australia’s Lift of the Year award, reported that new mines in Australia were installing bigger processing plants and using larger cranes, compelling them to seek specialist heavy lift advice as part of their risk management strategy.
Aztec managing director Mark Gilbert said crane lifts were complicated, and numerous factors had to be taken into account to ensure a lift would be completed safely and successfully.
“These factors include the weight of the lift, available equipment, ground strength and wind factor, to mention just a few,” Mr Gilbert said.
“These have to be carefully assessed and factored in before a lift can begin, to ensure it can be undertaken safely and without lost time. “Detailed planning is crucial.”
Aztec is one of the only independent consultants that offers heavy lifting expertise in Australia.
The company’s recent entry for the 2012 Lift of the Year award, a shiploader replacement at Adelaide Brighton Cement’s Birkenhead plant, presented Aztec with a number of issues.
Despite the difficulties that the project posed, the company successfully completed its work on time, within budget and without incident.
The boom, located over the Port River, had to be replaced during a short plant shutdown, with complicating issues including the stability of the ground the cranes could work from, strong winds and difficulty working over water.
