Keller was hired to design and install 234 no. soil-bonded micropiles to support the new structures of the Secondary Off-Gas project at the Glencore Mine.

Glencore Mine micropiles
Installing micropiles to support the new structure.

The project

Greater City Concrete Works Ltd (GCCW) was contracted to install the Secondary Off-Gas project at the Glencore Mine in Falconbridge, Ontario. Keller was hired to design and install 234 no. soil-bonded micropiles at the site to support the new structures.

The challenge

The main challenges of this job were working at a mine with stringent safety regulations and an aggressive schedule. The safety representatives at the mine had to become familiar with the drilling and installation processes which resulted in startup delays to ensure conformance with underground mining regulations. Another challenge was the low headroom and tight access work areas.

The solution

Pre-production static compression and static tension load tests were performed to verify pile capacity. Production work coordinated to satisfy the safety and schedule requirements. Safety always took precedence above productivity throughout the execution of Keller’s scope of work. Keller supplied 4 no. different drill rigs to this site to complete pile installation based on access constraints.

Project facts

Owner(s)

Glencore Mine

Keller business unit(s)

Keller

Main contractor(s)

Greater City Concrete Works Ltd (GCCW)

Engineer(s)

Hatch