Large Earthworks

PSM has been intimately involved in many large scale earthworks programs across a wide range of civil and mining projects. That extensive experience has identified some key objectives, which are focussed on achieving the major positive beneficial short and long term outcomes for the project.

These objectives comprise:

1. Maximise the net value of the land for subsequent sale or use:

- By increasing the area available for immediate development,
- Reducing the costs associated with the development and
- Ensuring that work undertaken will result in acceptable total and differential settlement profiles.

2. Control of the risk of poor geotechnical performance resulting in future liabilities:

- By ensuring that work is actually implemented as intended and
- Providing the comfort necessary for third parties wanting to buy and develop the land.

3. Undertake the work with minimum risk to workers and operating plant.

- While this objective is primarily the responsibility of the earthworks contractor, the risk to workers can be controlled by appropriate site preparation works, preparation and implementation of site plans.

Selected large projects where these positive outcomes have been successfully achieved
include:

Brockman 4 Mine, Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Pilbara WA. Prefeasibility, feasibility and design advice for earthworks and foundations associated with the primary crusher, the ROM pad, the secondary crusher, the screening plant the stacker reclaimer, and the train load out area.
Enfield Brick Pit – PSM worked closely with the owner of the site (Hannas Remediation) during the planning and filling operations. The project comprised filling of a clay and shale quarry with steep batters in the inner western suburbs of Sydney for future residential or light industrial development. The fill depths ranged up to 35m. Fill placed 600,000 m3.
Boral Moorebank Estate Redevelopment, Sydney – Since May 2004 PSM has worked with Boral on the Moorebank Estate redevelopment project in Sydney. The project comprises the remediation of the old Boral quarries for final use as residential development. Fill depths are up to 25m.
Boral Southern Employment Lands Greystanes, Sydney – Since early 2005 PSM has worked with Boral on the SEL Greystanes project in Sydney. PSM has been involved in managing the geotechnical issues associated with the large scale earthworks undertaken at this site. The project comprises the remediation of the quarry for use as industrial/commercial development. Fill placed 3,000,000 m3.
Donaldson Coal, Hunter Valley – PSM worked with the mine owner to assist in preparation a feasibility level assessment of the geotechnical issues and potential for future land use of the backfilled open pit mine areas. Fill depths up to 50m.
Airlie Beach, Whisper Bay Project – PSM worked for the owner to develop and assist in implementing a dynamic compaction and filling strategy to remediate a backfilled water front quarry for use as prime residential land.
Eastwood Brick Pit, Sydney – PSM completed an internal peer review of the Eastwood Brick Pit earthworks design by Coffey Geotechnics.
Niddrie Quarry, Melbourne – PSM provided expert advice to the contractor for litigation with respect to 2.4 million m³ filling of quarry for residential development.
Eastern Creek, Sydney; Rydalmere, Sydney; Auburn, Sydney – PSM worked with the owner and contractor preparing a specification for the earthworks; instructing and liaising with the geotechnical testing authority with regards to the testing and inspection requirements of the specification; undertaking an ongoing audit role during the earthworks to ensure work was being undertaken as per the specification and providing interim and final certification of the works.

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