The remote location of Carbones del Cerrejon’s large open cut mine on the Guajira Peninsula, Columbia, presented a major challenge. Initially, Sedgman carried out conceptual design, detailed design, procurement, construction and acceptance testing of a 375 t/h dense medium cyclone, spirals wash plant. More than a decade later Sedgman was assigned to undertake the plant upgrade. To address the remote location and meet a fast-track timetable, the CHPP was fully fabricated in Australia and all equipment and construction material was consolidated outside Colombia. Three dimensional modelling in AutoCAD was done at the design stage to assist with remote site difficulties, increasing accuracy and minimising risk.

Sedgman delivered turnkey design, engineering and construction from ROM dump station to product stockpiling. Initial facilities included a 50 t ROM dump hopper, belt press filter tailings dewatering and radial product stackout.