Meekatharra Fine Ore Bin Demolition

Focus Demolition was engaged by Westgold to develop a demolition methodology and undertake the demolition of a 24-metre-high concrete fine ore bin structure within an operational mining environment. The project involved the controlled demolition of both the elevated steel roof structure and reinforced concrete bin using high-reach demolition equipment.

The works presented a number of key challenges, including the demolition of a high concrete structure within a live mining environment, the safe management of elevated demolition activities, controlled demolition sequencing of steel and reinforced concrete elements, and the requirement to complete works efficiently within operational constraints.

A staged demolition methodology was developed to safely dismantle the structure from the top down using specialised high-reach demolition equipment. Key elements included:

• Use of a 62-tonne high-reach excavator fitted with demolition attachments
• Demolition of the steel roof structure using a hydraulic steel shear
• Progressive demolition of reinforced concrete walls down to ground level using pulveriser and shear attachments
• Demolition and removal of concrete footings using hydraulic rock breaker attachments
• Processing and segregation of demolition materials for removal and recycling where applicable

The methodology allowed controlled demolition while maintaining safe exclusion zones and minimising operational impacts.