BHP Billiton is a multi-national mining, metals, and petroleum company based in Melbourne, Australia. BHP conducts leaching and solvent extraction/electro-winning (SX/EW) operations at its Pinto Valley, AZ and Miami, AZ properties, and in 2012 decided to start milling and concentrating operations at those locations. In preparation, BHP management directed the facility to review operational fire risks and to identify existing and proposed mitigating features.
Fisher Engineering, Inc. (FEI) provided fire protection engineering and consulting services for this project. Specifically, FEI developed a preliminary risk assessment of major fire exposures to the operations and recommended ways to mitigate those risks. The review assessed:
- SX organic mixer/settler tanks and bulk storage of reagent and organic products
- Primary process power systems (e.g. transformers, rectifiers, motor control rooms)
- Material transport (e.g. conveyors)
- Hydraulic equipment
- Lubrication storage and machinery use
- Data processing and control
Owner
BHP Billiton Copper
Client
BHP Billiton Copper
Location
Pinto Valley, AZ and Miami, AZ
Services Provided
- Risk assessment survey and report
- Development of fire protection and risk mitigation recommendations
Construction Cost
N/A
Size
N/A
Completion Date
2012