Materials Handling System for Tata’s Joda

A materials handling contract awarded to Bateman Engineering by Tata Steel Limited is a major component of the upgraded logistics and transport facilities that will be established as part of the expansion programme at Joda Mines in Orissa, India, to double its iron ore production to 8 million t/yr.

The materials handling contract, which is being carried out by Bateman Engineering’s India business unit, covers the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of a materials handling system to convey iron ore from the stockpile and the crushing plant, over a distance of 1 km, to the operation’s newly established railway rapid loading system. From here, the iron ore will be transported by railway to Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur plant.

The technology for the belt conveyors, which form part of the materials handling system and have a total length of 700 m, is being sourced from Bateman Engineered Technologies, the equipment supply division of Bateman Engineering.

With the scope covering the provision of ten 80 cu metre bunkers and associated hoppers, conveyors and feeders, the 18 month long contract is the first in India to establish structural storage and distribution facilities for 8,000 cu metres of ore of any type.

The lump-sum turnkey project has a contract value of INR 430 million (USD 9 million) and was awarded to Bateman Engineering due to both its superior technology and its competitive pricing. In addition, Bateman Engineering has an extensive track record of successful projects in difficult conditions such as that typical of this project. Joda Mines is located in a remote, hilly terrain, with insufficient infrastructure which meant that the mobilisation of cranes and delivery of equipment to site posed some challenges. Other difficulties to be overcome were the lack of a sufficiently-skilled labour force and the threat of malaria to the 400-strong labour force.

Despite this, the project has progressed successfully according to schedule, with the engineering and procurement complete and construction more than 50 % complete. In addition, the project recently reached an impressive safety milestone of 8 million accident free man hours. This is testimony to the priority Bateman Engineering places on protecting the safety of the workforce and the client’s stringent safety regulations.

For further information, please contact Michael Hughes, Managing Director, India, on +91-80-3048-5211 or email enquiries@bateman.com.

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