As Independent Verifier and Technical Advisor for the rail connection and rail construction of the Maules Creek / Boggabri Coal Rail Line, Lycopodium was contracted to verify the design and construction of the rail interfaces on the 160-mtpa Heavy Haul Freight Network in the Hunter Valley, Australia.
The new rail line services both Whitehaven’s operations at Maules Creek as well as expansion at Idemitsu’s Boggabri Coal Mine.
Boggabri Coal is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Idemitsu Australia Resources Pty Limited which operates the Boggabri Coal Mine. Boggabri Coal is located 15 kilometres north-east of Boggabri in the North West Region of NSW.
The Maules Creek Mine Project is one of the most significant recent investments in regional NSW, Australia. The project construction costs are estimated in the order of $800 million.
Engaging Lycopodium to act as Boggabri Coal’s independent verifier for the project interface with the ARTC network ensured that the rail design (at the interface) was designed to comply with ARTC’s requirements. Lycopodium acting as owners’ engineer provided Boggabri Coal with a transparent, unbiased review of the rail design and construction activities to ensure they meet Boggabri Coal’s current and future needs.
Lycopodium has been contracted by Boggabri and Whitehaven Coal to provide ongoing Rail Infrastructure Management (RIM) services as well as maintenance management for the complete rail spur line.
“Lycopodium understand that Boggabri Coal’s core business is coal mining, not the design and construction of rail infrastructure. The owners’ engineering and independent verification services provided by specialist rail staff at Lycopodium, have ensured that rail designs are developed to suit Boggabri Coal’s operational and commercial requirements considering the design life of the Mine and ARTC’s requirements at the interface with the main line.”
